-iTPd 


--.-- 


"The  bushes  that  formed  the  thicket  were  moved  aside,  and  a  human 
visage,  as  fiercely  wild  as  unbridled  passions  could  make  it,  peered  out 
on  the  retiring  footsteps  of  the  travellers." 

—  The  Last  of  the  Mohicans,  page  34. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS 


BY 


J.    FENIMORE    COOPER 

AUTHOR   OF    "THE     DEERSLAYER,"    "THE    PATHFINDER,"    "THE    PIONEERS,"    "THE 

PRAIRIE,"    "  THE    PILOT,"    "  THE    WATERWITCH,"    "  THE   SPY," 

"THE    HEADSMAN,"   ETC.,    ETC. 


NEW   YORK 

JOHN   W.   LOVELL   COMPANY 
150  WORTH  STREET,  CORNER  MISSION  PLACE 


Unto  Library,  UGbartaOuz  1985 


TROWS 

PRINTING  AND   BOOKBINDING  COMPANl, 
NEW   YORK. 


A/ 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS 


UN  f  RODUCTION. 

IT  is  Deneved  that  the  scene  of  this  tale,  and  most  or  thl 
information  necessary  to  understand  its  allusions,  are  rendered 
sufficiently  obvious  to  the  reader  in  the  text  itself,  or  in  the 
accompanying  notes.  Still  there  is  so  much  obscurity  in  the 
Indian  traditions,  and  so  much  confusion  in  the  Indian  names, 
as  to  render  some  explanation  useful. 

Few  men  exhibit  greater  diversity,  or,  if  we  may  so  express 
it,  greater  antithesis  of  character,  than  the  native  warrior  of 
North  America.  In  war,  he  is  daring,  boastful,  cunning, 
ruthless,  self-denying,  and  self-devoted ;  in  peace,  just,  gener- 
ous, hospitable,  revengeful,  superstitious,  modest,  and  com- 
monly chaste.  These  are  qualities,  it  is  true,  which  do  not 
distinguish  all  alike  ;  but  they  are  so  far  the  predominating 
traits  of  these  remarkable  people,  as  to  be  characteristic. 

It  is  generally  believed  that  the  Aborigines  of  the  Ameri- 
can continent  have  an  Asiatic  origin.  There  are  many  physi- 
cal as  well  as  moral  facts  which  corroborate  this  opinion,  and 
some  few  that  would  seem  to  weigh  against  it. 

The  color  of  the  Indian,  the  writer  believes,  is  peculiar  to 
himself,  and  while  his  cheek-bones  have  a  very  striking  indi- 
cation of  a  Tartar  origin,  his  eyes  have  not.  Climate  may 
have  had  great  influence  on  the  former,  but  it  is  difficult  to 
see  how  it  can  have  produced  the  substantial  difference 
which  exists  in  the  latter.  The  imagery  of  the  Indian,  both 
in  his  poetry  and  in  his  oratory,  is  Oriental ;  chastened,  and 
perhaps  improved,  by  the  limited  range  of  practical  knowl- 
edge. He  draws  his'metaphors  from  the  clouds,  the  seasons, 
the  birds,  the  beasts,  and  the  vegetable  world.  In  this,  per- 
haps, he  does  no  more  than  any  ofher  energetic  and  imagina* 


4  INTRODUCTION. 

tive  race  would  do,  being  compelled  to  set  bounds  to  fancy  by 
experience  ;  but  the  North  American  Indian  clothes  his  ideas 
in  a  dress  which  is  different  from  that  of  the  African,  and  is 
Oriental  in  itself.  His  language  has  the  richness  and  senten* 
tious  fulness  of  the  Chinese.  He  will  express  a  phrase  in  a 
word,  and  he  will  qualify  the  meaning  of  an  entire  sentence 
by  a  syllable  ;  he  will  even  convey  different  significations  by 
the  simplest  inflexions  of  the  voice. 

Philologists  have  said  that  there  are  but  two  or  three  lan- 
guages, properly  speaking,  among  all  the  numerous  tribes 
which  formerly  occupied  the  country  that  now  composes  the 
United  States.-  They  ascribe  the  known  difficulty  one  people 
have  to  understand  another  to  corruptions  and  dialects.  The 
writer  remembers  to  have  been  present  at  an  interview  between 
two  chiefs  of  the  Great  Prairies  west  of  the  Mississippi,  and 
when  an  interpreter  was  in  attendance  who  spoke  both  their 
languages.  The  warriors  appeared  to  be  on  the  most  friendly 
terms,  and  seemingly  conversed  much  together ;  yet,  accord- 
ing to  the  account  of  the  interpreter,  each  was  absolutely  ig- 
norant of  what  the  other  said.  They  were  of  hostile  tribes, 
bi ought  together  by  the  influence  of  the  American  government; 
and  it  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  a  common  policy  led  them 
both  to  adopt  the  same  subject.  They  mutually  exhorted 
each  other  to  be  of  use  in  the  event  of  the  chances  of  war 
throwing  either  of  the  parties  into  the  hands  of  his  enemies. 
Whatever  may  be  the  truth,  as  respects  the  root  and  genius  of 
the  Indian  tongues,  it  is  quite  certain  they  are  now  so  distinct 
in  their  words  as  to  possess  most  of  the  disadvantages  of 
strange  languages  ;  hence  much  of  the  embarrassment  that 
has  arisen  in  learning  their  histories,  and  most  of  the  uncer« 
tainty  which  exists  in  their  traditions. 

Like  nations  of  higher  pretensions,  the  American  Indian 
gives  a  very  different  account  of  his  own  tribe  or  race  from 
that  which  is  given  by  other  people.  He  is  much  addicted 
to  overestimating  his  own  perfections,  and  to  undervalue 
those  of  his  rival  or  his  enemy ;  a  trait  which  may  possibly 
be  thought  corroborative  of  the  Mosaic  account  of  the  crea- 
tion. 

The  Whites  have  assisted  greatly  in  rendering  the  traditions 
of  the  Aborigines  more  obscure  by  their  own  manner  of  cor- 
rupting names.  Thus  the  term  used  in  the  title  of  this  book 
has  undergone  the  changes  of  Mahicanni,  Mohicans,  and  Mo- 
hegans  ;  the  latter  being  the  word  commonly  used  by  the 
Whites.  When  it  is  remembered  that  the  Dutch  (who 


INTRODUCTION.  | 

settled  New  York),  the  English,  and  the  French,  all  gave  ap- 
pellations to  the  tribes  that  dwelt  within  the  country  which  is 
the  scene  of  this  story,  and  that  the  Indians  not  only  gave 
different  names  to  their  enemies,  but  frequently  to  themselves 
the  cause  of  the  confusion  will  be  understood. 

In  these  pages,  Lenni-Lenape,  Lenope,  Delawares,  Wapan- 
achki,  and  Mohicans,  all  mean  the  same  people,  or  tribes  oi 
the  same  stock.  The  Mengwe,  the  Maquas,  the  Mingoes, 
and  the  Iroquois,  though  not  all  strictly  the  same,  are  identi 
rled  frequently  by  the  speakers,  being  politically  confederated 
and  opposed  to  those  just  named.  Mingo  was  a  term  of 
peculiar  reproach  as  were  Mengwa  and  Maqua  in  a  less 
degree. 

The  Mohicans  were  the  possessors  of  the  country  first  oc- 
cupied by  the  Europeans  in  this  portion  of  the  continent. 
They  were,  consequently,  the  first  dispossessed;  and  the 
seemingly  inevitable  fate  of  all  these  people,  who  disappear 
before  the  advances,  or  it  might  be  termed  the  inroads  of 
civilization,  as  the  verdure  of  their  native  forests  fall  before 
the  nipping  frosts,  is  represented  as  having  already  befallen 
them.  There  is  sufficient  historical  truth  in  the  picture  to 
justify  the  use  that  has  been  made  of  it. 

In  point  of  fact,  the  country  which  is  the  scene  of  the  fol- 
lowing tale  has  undergone  as  little  change,  since  the  historical 
events  alluded  to  had  place,  as  almost  any  other  district  of 
equal  extent  within  the  whole  limits  of  the  United  States. 
There  are  fashionable  and  well-attended  watering-places  at 
and  near  the  spring  where  Hawk-eye  halted  to  drink,  and 
roads  traverse  the  forests  where  he  and  his  friends  were  com- 
pelled to  journey  without  even  a  path.  Glenn's  has  a  large 
village  ;  and  while  William  Henry,  and  even  a  fortress  of 
later  date,  are  only  to  be  traced  as  ruins,  there  is  another  vil- 
lage on  the  shores  of  the  Horican.  But,  beyond  this,  the 
enterprise  and  energy  of  a  people  who  have  done  so  much  in 
other  places  have  done  little  here.  The  whole  of  that  wilder- 
ness, in  which  the  latter  incidents  of  the  legend  occurred,  is 
nearly  a  wilderness  still,  though  the  red  man  has  entirely  de- 
serted this  part  of  the  state.  Of  all  the  tribes  named  in  these 
pages,  there  exists  only  a  few  half-civilized  beings  of  the 
Oneidas,  on  the  reservations  of  their  people  in  New  York. 
The  rest  have  disappeared,  either  from  the  regions  in  which 
their  fathers  dwelt,  or  altogether  from  the  earth. 

There  is  one  point  on  which  we  would  wish  to  say  a  word 
before  closing  this  preface.  Hawk-eye  calls  the  Lac  du  Sainl 


6  INTR  OD  UC  TION. 

Sacrement,  the  "  Horican."  As  we  believe  this  to  be  an  ap- 
propriation  of  the  name  that  has  its  origin  with  ourselves,  the 
time  has  arrived,  perhaps,  when  the  fact  should  be  frankly 
admitted.  While  writing  this  book,  fully  a  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury since,  it  occurred  to  us  that  the  French  name  of  this  lake 
was  too  complicated,  the  American  too  common-place,  and 
the  Indian  too  unpronouncable,  for  either  to  be  used  famil- 
iarly in  a  work  of  fiction.  Looking  over  an  ancient  map,  it 
was  ascertained  that  a  tribe  of  Indians,  called  "  Les  Hori- 
cans "  by  the  French,  existed  in  the  neighborhood  of  this 
beautiful  sheet  of  water.  As  every  word  uttered  by  Natty 
Bumppo  was  not  to  be  received  as  rigid  truth,  we  took  the 
liberty  of  putting  the  "  Horican  "  into  his  mouth,  as  the  sub- 
stitute for  "  Lake  George."  The  name  has  appeared  to  find 
favor,  and  all  things  considered,  it  may  possibly  be  quite  as 
well  to  let  it  stand,  instead  of  going  back  to  the  House  of 
Hanover  for  the  appellation  of  our  finest  sheet  of  water.  We 
relieve  our  conscience  by  the  confession,  at  all  events,  leav- 
ing it  to  exercise  its  authority  as  it  may  see  fit 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS, 


CHAPTER  I. 

Mine  ear  is  open,  and  my  heart  prepared : 
The  worst  is  worldly  loss  thou  canst  unfold  :— 
Say,  is  my  kingdom  lost  ? 

SHAKESPEARE. 

-IT  was  a  feature  peculiar  to  the  colonial  wars  of  North 
America,  that  the  toils  and  dangers  of  the  wilderness  were  to 
be  encountered  before  the  adverse  hosts  could  meet.  A  wide 
and  apparently  an  impervious  boundary  of  forests  severed  the 
possessions  of  the  hostile  provinces  of  France  and  England. 
The  hardy  colonist,  and  the  trained  European  who  fought  at 
his  side,  frequently  expended  months  in  struggling  against 
the  rapids  of  the  streams,  or  in  effecting  the  rugged  passes  of 
the  mountains,  in  quest  of  an  opportunity  to  exhibit  their 
courage  in  a  more  martial  conflict.  But,  emulating  the 
patience  and  self-denial  of  the  practised  native  warriors,  they 
learned  to  overcome  every  difficulty  ;  and  it  would  seem  that, 
in  time,  there  was  no  recess  of  the  woods  so  dark,  nor  any 
secret  place  so  lovely,  that  it  might  claim  exemption  from  the 
inroads  of  those  who  had  pledged  their  blood  to  satiate  their 
vengeance,  or  to  uphold  the  cold  and  selfish  policy  of  the  dis- 
tant monarchs  of  Europe. 

Perhaps  no  district  throughout  the  wide  extent  of  the  intei- 
mediate  frontiers  can  furnish  a  livelier  picture  of  the  cruelty 
and  fierceness  of  the  savage  warfare  of  those  periods  than 
the  country  which  lies  between  the  head  waters  of  the  Hud- 
son and  the  adjacent  lakes. 

The  facilities  which  nature  had  there  offered  to  the  march 
of  the  combatants  were  too  obvious  to  be  neglected.  The 
lengthened  sheet  of  the  Champlain  stretched  from  the  fron 


^  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

tiers  of  Canada,  deep  within  the  borders  of  the  neighboring 
province  of  New  York,  forming  a  natural  passage  across  half 
the  distance  that  the  French  w£re  compelled  to  master  in 
order  to  strike  their  enemies.  Near  its  southern  termination, 
it  received  the  contributions  of  another  lake,  whose  waters 
were  so  limpid  as  to  have  been  exclusively  selected  by  the 
Jesuit  missionaries  to  perform  the  typical  purification  of 
baptism,  and  to  obtain  for  it  the  title  of  lake  "  du  Saint  Sac- 
rement."  The  less  zealous  English  thought  they  conferred  a 
sufficient  honor  on  its  unsullied  fountains,  when  they  be- 
stowed the  name  of  their  reigning  prince,  the  second  of  the 
house  of  Hanover.  The  two  united  to  rob  the  untutored 
possessors  of  its  wooded  scenery  of  their  native  right  to  per- 
petuate its  original  appellation  of  "  Horican."  * 

Winding  its  way  among  count/ess  islands,  and  imbedded 
in  mountains;  the  "  holy  lake  "  extended  a  dozen  leagues  still 
further  to  the  south.  With  the  high  plain  that  there  inter- 
posed itself  to  the  further  passage  of  the  water,  commenced  a 
portage  of  as  many  miles,  which  conducted  the  adventurer  to 
the  banks  of  the  Hudson,  at  a  point  where,  with  the  usual 
obstructions  of  the  rapids  or  rifts,  as  they  were  then  termed 
in  the  language  of  the  country,  the  river  became  navigable  to 
the  tide. 

While  in  the  pursuit  of  their  daring  plans  of  annoyance, 
the  restless  enterprise  of  the  French  even  attempted  the  dis- 
tant and  difficult  gorges  of  the  Alleghany,  it  may  easily  be 
imagined  that  their  proverbial  acuteness  would  not  over- 
look the  natural  advantages  of  the  district  we  have  just  de- 
scribed. It  became,  emphatically,  the  bloody  arena,  in  which 
most  of  the  battles  for  the  mastery  of  the  colonies  were  con- 
tested. Forts  were  erected  at  the  different  points  that  com- 
manded the  facilities  of  the  route,  and  were  taken  and  re- 
taken, razed  and  rebuilt,  as  victory  alighted  on  the  hostile 
banners.  While  the  husbandman  shrank  back  from  the  dan- 
gerous passes,  within  the  safer  boundaries  of  the  more  ancient 
settlements)  armies  larger  than  those  that  had  often  disposed 
of  the  sceptres  of  the  mother  countries,  were  seen  to  bury 
themselves  in  these  forests,  whence  they  rarely  returned  but 

*  As  each  nation  of  the  Indians  had  either  its  language  or  its  dialect,  they 
usually  gave  different  names  to  the  same  places,  though  nearly  all  of  their  appella- 
tions were  descriptive  of  the  object.  Thus  a  literal  translation  of  the  name  of  this 
beautiful  sheet  of  water,  used  by  the  tribe  that  dwelt  on  its  banks,  would  be  "  The 
Tail  of  the  Lake."  Lake  George,  as  it  is  vulgarly,  and  now  indeed  legally,  called, 
forms  a  sort  of  tail  to  Lake  Champlain,  when  viewed  on  the  map.  Hence  the 
name. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  g 

in  skeleton  bands,  that  were  haggard  with  care,  or  dejected 
by  defeat.  Though  the  arts  of  peace  were  unknown  to  this 
fatal  region,  its  forests  were  alive  with  men  ;  its  shades  and 
glens  rang  with  the  sounds-  of  martial  music,  and  the  echoes 
of  its  mountains  threw  back  the  laugh,  or  repeated  the  wan- 
ton cry,  of  many  a  gallant  and  reckless  youth,  as  he  hurried 
by  them,  in  the  noontide  of  his  spirits,  to  slumber  in  a  long 
night  of  forgetfulness. 

It  was  in  this  scene  of  strife  and  bloodshed  that  the  inci- 
dents we  shall  attempt  to  relate  occurred,  during  the  third 
year  of  the  war  which  England  and  France  last  waged  for  the 
possession  of  a  country  that  neither  was  destined  to  retain. 

The  imbecility  of  her  military  leaders  abroad,  and  the 
fatal  want  of  energy  in  her  councils  at  home,  had  lowered  the 
character  of  Great  Britain  from  the  proud  elevation  on  which 
it  had  been  placed,  by  the  talents  and  enterprise  of  her  former 
warriors  and  statesmen.  No  longer  dreaded  by  her  enemies, 
her  servants  were  fast  losing  the  confidence  of  self-respect. 
In  this  mortifying  abasement,  the  colonists,  though  innocent 
of  her  imbecility,  and  too  humble  to  be  the  agents  of  her  blun- 
ders, were  but  the  natural  participators.  They  had  recently 
seen  a  chosen  army  from  that  country,  which,  reverencing  as 
a  mother,  they  had  blindly  believed  invincible — an  army  led 
by  a  chief  who  had  been  selected  from  a  crowd  of  trained 
warriors,  for  his  rare  military  endowments,  disgracefully 
routed  by  a  handful  of  French  and  Indians,  and  only  saved 
from  annihilation  by  the  coolness  and  spirit  of  a  Virginian 
boy,  whose  riper  fame  has  since  diffused  itself,  with  the  steady 
influence  of  moral  truth,  to  the  uttermost  confines  of  Chris- 
tendom.* A  wide  frontier  had  been  laid  naked  by  this  unex- 
pected disaster,  and  more  substantial  evils  were  preceded  by 
a  thousand  fanciful  and  imaginary  dangers.  The  alarmed 
colonists  believed  that  the  yells  of  the  savages  mingled  with 
every  fitful  gust  of  wind  that  issued  from  the  interminable 
forests  of  the  west.  The  terrific  character  of  their  merciless 
enemies  increased  immeasurably  the  natural  horrors  of  war- 

*  Washington  :  who,  after  uselessly  admonishing  the  European  generaj  of  the 
danger  into  which  he  was  heedlessly  running,  saved  the  remnants  of  the  British 
army,  on  this  occasion,  by  his  decision  and  courage.  The  reputation  earned  by 
Washington  in  this  battle  was  the  principal  cause  of  his  being  selected  to  command 
the  American  armies  at  a  later  day.  It  is  a  circumstance  worthy  of  observation, 
that  while  all  America  rang  with  his  well-merited  reputation,  his  name  does  not 
occur  in  any  European  account  of  the  battle  ;  at  least  the  author  has  searched  foi 
it  without  success.  In  this  manner  does  the  mother  country  absorb  even 
under  that  system  of  rule. 


TO  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

fare=  Numberless  recent  massacres  were  still  vivid  in  theil 
recollections ;  nor  was  "here  any  ear  in  the  provinces  so  deaf 
as  not  to  have  drunk  in  with  avidity  the  narrative  of  some 
fearful  tale  of  midnight  murder,  in  which  the  natives  of  the 
forests  were  the  principle  and  barbarous  actors.  As  the 
credulous  and  excited  traveller  related  the  hazardous  chances 
of  the  wilderness,  the  blood  of  the  timid  curdled  with  terror, 
and  mothers  cast  anxious  glances  even  at  those  children 
which  slumbered  within  the  security  of  the  largest  towns.  In 
short,  the  magnifying  influence  of  fear  began  to  set  at  naught 
the  calculations  of  reason,  and  to  render  those  who  should 
have  remembered  their  manhood,  the  slaves  of  the  basest  of 
passions.  Even  the  most  confident  and  the  stoutest  hearts 
began  to  think  the  issue  of  the  contest  was  becoming  doubt- 
ful ;  and  that  abject  class  was  hourly  increasing  in  numbers, 
who  thought  they  foresaw  all  the  possessions  of  the  English 
crown  in  America  subdued  by  their  Christian  foes,  or  laid 
waste  by  the  inroads  of  their  relentless  allies. 

When,  therefore,  intelligence  was  received  at  the  fort 
which  covered  the  southern  termination  of  the  portage  be- 
tween the  Hudson  and  the  lakes,  that  Montcalm  had  been 
seen  moving  up  the  Champlain,  with  an  army  "  numerous  as 
the  leaves  on  the  trees,"  its  truth  was  admitted  with  more  of 
the  craven  reluctance  of  fear  than  with  the  stern  joy  that  a 
warrior  should  feel,  in  finding  an  enemy  within  reach  of  his 
blow.  The  news  had  been  brought,  towards  the  decline  of  a 
day  in  midsummer,  by  an  Indian  runner,  who  also  bore  an 
urgent  request  from  Munro,  the  commander  of  a  work  on  the 
shore  of  the  "  holy  lake,"  for  a  speedy  and  powerful  reinforce 
ment.  It  has  already  been  mentioned  that  the  distance  be- 
tween these  two  posts  was  less  than  five  leagues.  The  rude 
path,  which  originally  formed  their  line  of  communication, 
had  been  widened  for  the  passage  of  wagons ;  so  that  the 
distance  which  had  been  travelled  by  the  son  of  the  forest  in 
two  hours,  might  easily  be  effected  by  a  detachment  of  troops, 
with  their  necessary  baggage,  between  the  rising  and  setting 
of  a  summer  sun.  The  loyal  servants  of  the  British  crown 
had  given  to  one  of  these  forest  fastnesses  the  name  of 
William  Henry,  and  to  the  other  that  of  Fort  Edward  •  call- 
ing each  after  a  favorite  prince  of  the  reigning  family.  The 
veteran  Scotchman  just  named  held  the  first,  with  a  regiment 
of  regulars  and  a  few  provincials  ;  a  force  really  by  far  too 
small  to  make  head  against  the  formidable  power  that  Mont- 
calm  was  leading  to  the  foot  of  his  earthen  mounds.  At  the 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  jrx 

latter,  however,  lay  General  Webb,  who  commanded  the 
armies  of  the  king  in  the  northern  provinces,  with  a  body  of 
more  than  five  thousand  men.  By  uniting  the  several  de- 
tachments of  his  command,  this  officer  might  have  arrayed 
nearly  double  that  number  of  combatants  against  the  enter- 
prising Frenchman,  who  had  ventured  so  far  from  his  rein* 
forcements,  with  an  army  but  little  superior  in  numbers. 

But  under  the  influence  of  their  degraded  fortunes,  both 
officers  and  men  appeared  better  disposed  to  await- the  ap- 
proach of  their  formidable  antagonists,  within  their  works,  than 
to  resist  the  progress  of  their  march,  by  emulating  the  success 
ful  example  of  the  French  at  Fort  du  Quesne,  and  striking  a 
blow  on  their  advance. 

After  the  first  surprise  of  the  intelligence  had  a  little  abated, 
a  rumor  was  spread  through  the  entrenched  camp,  which 
stretched  along  the  margin  of  the  Hudson,  forming  a  chain  of 
outworks  to  the  body  of  the  fort  itself,  that  a  chosen  detach- 
ment of  fifteen  hundred  men  was  to  depart,  with  the  dawn,  for 
William  Henry,  the  post  at  the  northern  extremity  of  the  port- 
age. That  which  at  first  was  only  rumor,  soon  became  certainty, 
as  orders  passed  from  the  quarters  of  the  commander-in-chief 
to  the  several  corps  he  had  selected  for  this  service,  to  prepare 
for  their  speedy  departure.  All  doubts  as  to  the  intention  of 
Webb  now  vanished,  and  an  hour  or  two  of  hurried  footsteps 
and  anxious  faces  succeeded.  The  novice  in  the  military  art 
flew  from  point  to  point,  retarding  his  own  preparation  by  the 
excess  of  his  violent  and  somewhat  distempered  zeal ;  while 
the  more  practised  veteran  made  his  arrangements  with  a  de- 
liberation that  scorned  every  appearance  of  haste ;  though  his 
sober  lineaments  and  anxious  eye  sufficiently  betrayed  that  he 
had  no  very  strong  professional  relish  for  the,  as  yet,  untried 
and  dreaded  warfare  of  the  wilderness.  At  length  the  sun  set 
in  a  flood  of  glory  behind  the  distant  western  hills,  and  as 
darkness  drew  its  veil  around  the  secluded  spot  the  sounds  of 
preparation  diminished  ;  the  last  light  finally  disappeared  from 
the  log  cabin  of  some  officer;  the  trees  cast  their  deeper 
shadows  over  the  mounds  and  the  rippling  stream,  and  a 
silence  soon  pervaded  the  camp,  as  deep  as  that  which  reignecl 
in  the  vast  forest  by  which  it  was  environed. 

According  to  the  orders  of  the  preceding  night,  the  heavy 
sleep  of  the  army  was  broken  by  the  rolling  of  the  warning 
drums,  whose  rattling  echoes  were  heard  issuing,  on  the  damp 
morning  air,  out  of  every  vista  of  the  woods,  just  as  day  began 
to  draw  the  shaggy  outlines  of  some  tall  pines  of  the  vicinity, 


12  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

on  the  opening  brightness  of  a  soft  and  cloudless  eastern  sky. 
In  an  instant  the  whole  camp  was  in  morion  ;  the  meanest 
soldier  arousing  from  his  lair  to  witness  the  departure  of  his 
comrades,  and  to  share  in  the  excitement  and  incidents  of  the 
hour.  Thesimple  array  of  the  chosen  band  was  soon  completed. 
While  the  regular  and  trained  hirelings  of  the  king  marched 
with  haughtiness  to  the  right  of  the  line,  the  less  pretending 
colonists  took  their  humble  position  on  its  left,  with  a  docility 
that  long  practise  had  rendered  easy.  The  scouts  departed  ; 
strong  guards  preceded  and  followed  the  lumbering  vehicles 
thatbore  the  baggage  ;  and  before  the  gray  light  of  the  morning 
was  mellowed  by  the  rays  of  the  sun,  the  main  body  of  the 
combatants  wheeled  into  column,  and  left  the  encampment 
with  a  show  of  high  military  bearing,  that  served  to  drown  the 
slumbering  apprehensions  of  many  a  novice,  who  was  now 
about  to  make  his  first  essay  in  arms.  While  in  view  of  their 
admiring  comrades,  the  same  proud  front  and  ordered  array 
was  observed,  until  the  notes  of  their  fifes  growing  fainter  in 
distance,  the  forest  at  length  appeared  to  swallow  up  the  liv- 
ing mass  which  had  slowly  entered  its  bosom. 

The  deepest  sounds  of  the  retiring  and  invisible  column  had 
ceased  to  be  borne  on  the  breeze  to  the  listeners,  and  the  lat- 
est straggler  had  already  disappeared  in  pursuit ;  but  there  still 
remained  the  signs  of  another  departure,  before  a  log  cabin 
of  unusual  size  and  accommodations,  in  front  of  which  those 
sentinels  paced  their  rounds,  who  were  known  to  guard  the  per- 
son of  the  English  general.  At  this  spot  were  gathered  some 
half  dozen  horses,  caparisoned  in  a  manner  which  showed 
that  two,  at  least,  were  destined  to  bear  the  persons  of  females, 
of  a  rank  that  it  was  not  usual  to  meet  so  far  in  the  wilds  of  the 
country.  A  third  wore  the  trappings  and  arms  of  an  officer 
of  the  staff  ;  while  the  rest,  from  the  plainness  of  the  housings, 
and  the  travelling  mails  with  which  they  were  encumbered, 
were  evidently  fitted  for  the  reception  of  as  many  menials, 
who  -were,  seemingly,  already  awaiting  the  pleasure  of  those 
they  served.  At  a  respectful  distance  from  this  unusual  show, 
were  gathered  divers  groups  of  curious  idlers  ;  some  admiring 
the  blood  and  bone  of  the  high-mettled  military  charger,  and 
others  gazing  at  the  preparations,  with  the  dull  wonder  of  vul- 
gar curiosity.  There  was  one  man,  however,  who,  by  hi* 
countenance  and  actions,  formed  a  marked  exception  to  those 
who  composed  the  latter  class  of  spectators,  being  neither  idle, 
nor  seemingly  very  ignorant. 

The  person  of  this  individual  was  to  the  last  degree  ur* 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  j^ 

gainly  without  being  in  any  particular  manner  deformed.     He 
had  all  the  bones  and  joints  of  other  men,  without  any  of  their 
proportions.     Erect,  his  stature  surpassed  that  of  his  fellows  \ 
though,  seated,  he  appeared  reduced  within  the  ordinary  limits 
of  the  race.     The  same  contrariety  in  his  members  seemed  to 
exist  throughout  the  whole  man.     His  head  was  large,  his 
shoulders  narrow,  his  arms  long  and  dangling,  while  his  hands 
were  small,  if  not  delicate.     His  legs  and  thighs  were  thin, 
nearly  to  emaciation,  but  of  extraordinary  length  ;  and  his 
knees  would  have  been  considered  tremendous,  had  they  not 
been  outdone  by  the  broader  foundations  on  which  this  false 
superstructure  of  blended  human  orders  was  so  profanely  reared 
The  ill-assorted  and  injudicious  attire  of  the  individual,  only 
served  to  render  his  awkwardness  more  conspicuous.     A  sky- 
blue  coat,  with  short  and  broad  skirts,  and  low  cape,  exposed 
a  long,  thin  neck,  and  longer  and  thinner  legs,  to  the  worst 
animadversions  of  the  evil  disposed.     His  nether  garment  was 
of  yellow  nankeen,  closely  fitted  to  the  shape,  and  tied  at  his 
bunches  of  knees  by  large  knots  of  white  ribbon,  a  good  deal 
sullied  by  use.     Clouted  cotton  stockings,  and  shoes,  on  one 
of  the  latter  of  which  was  a  plated-spur,  completed  the  costume 
of  the  lower  extremity  of  this  figure,  no  curve  or  angle  of  which 
was  concealed,  but,  on  the  other  hand,  studiously  exhibited, 
through  the  vanity  or  simplicity  of  its  owner.     From  beneath 
the  flap  of  an  enormous  pocket  of  a  soiled  vest  of  embossed 
silk,  heavily  ornamented  with  tarnished  silver  lace,  projected 
an  instrument,  which,  from  being  seen  in  such  martial  company, 
might  have  been  easily  mistaken  for  some  mischievous  and  un- 
known implement  of  war.     Small  as  it  was,  this  uncommon 
engine  had  excited  the  curiosity  of  most  of  the  Europeans  in 
the  camp,  though  several  of  the  provincials  were  seen  to  handle 
it,  not  only  without  fear,  but  with  the  utmost  familiarity.     A 
large,  civil  cocked  hat,  like  those  worn  by  clergymen  within 
the  last  thirty  years,  surmounted  the  whole,  furnishing  dignity 
to  a  good-natured  and  somewhat  vacant  countenance,  that 
apparently  needed  such  artifical  aid,  to  support  the  gravity  of 
some  high  and  extraordinary  trust. 

While  the  common  herd  stood  aloof,  in  deference  to  the 
quarters  of  Webb,  the  figure  we  have  described  stalked  into 
the  centre  of  the  domestics,  freely  expressing  his  censures  or 
commendations  on  the  merits  of  the  horses,  as  by  chance  they 
displeased  or  satisfied  his  judgment. 

"  This  beast,  I  rather  conclude,  friend,  is  not  of  home  rais- 
ing, but  is  from  foreign  lands,  or  perhaps  from  the  little  island 


I4.  .  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

itself,  over  the  blue  water  ?  "  he  said,  in  a  voice  as  remarkable 
for  the  softness  and  sweetness  of  its  tones,  as  was  his  person 
for  its  rare  proportions  :  "  I  may  speak  of  these  things,  and 
be  no  braggart ;  for  I  have  been  down  at  both  havens  ;  that 
which  is  situate  at  the  mouth  of  Thames,  and  is  named  after 
the  capital  of  Old  England,  and  that  which  is  called  *  Haven, 
with  the  addition  of  the  word  '  New  ; '  and  have  seen  the  snows 
and  brigantines  collecting  their  droves,  like  the  gathering  to 
the  ark,  being  outward  bound  to  the  Island  of  Jamaica,  for 
the  purpose  of  barter  and  traffic  in  four-footed  animals  ;  but 
never  before  have  I  beheld  a  beast  which  verified  the  true  scrip* 
true  war-horse  like  this,  '  He  paweth  in  the  valley,  and  rejoiceth 
in  his  strength  ;  he  goeth  on  to  meet  the  armed  men.  He 
saith  among  the  trumpets,  Ha,  ha  ;  and  he  smelleth  the  battle 
afar  off,  the  thunder  of  the  captains,  and  the  shouting.'  It 
would  seem  that  the  stock  of  the  horse  of  Israel  has  descended 
to  our  own  time  ;  would  it  not,  friend  ?  " 

Receiving  no  reply  to  this  extraordinary  appeal,  which,  in 
truth,  as  it  was  delivered  with  the  vigor  of  full  and  sonorous 
tones,  merited  some  sort  of  notice,  he  who  had  thus  sung  forth 
the  language  of  the  holy  book  turned  to  the  silent  figure  to 
whom  he  had  unwittingly  addressed  himself,  and  found  a  new 
and  more  powerful  subject  of  admiration  in  the  object  that 
encountered  his  gaze.  His  eyes  fell  on  the  still,  upright,  and 
rigid  form  of  the  "  Indian  runner,"  who  had  borne  to  the  camp 
the  unwelcome  tidings  of  the  preceding  evening.  Although 
in  a  state  of  perfect  repose,  and  apparently  disregarding,  with 
characteristic  stoicism,  the  excitement  and  bustle  around  him, 
there  was  a  sullen  fierceness  mingled  with  the  quiet  of  the 
savage,  that  was  likely  to  arrest  the  attention  of  much  more 
experienced  eyes  than  those  which  now  scanned  him,  in  uncon- 
cealed amazement.  The  native  bore  both  the  tomahawk  and 
knife  of  his  tribe  ;  and  yet  his  appearance  was  not  altogether 
that  of  a  warrior.  On  the  contrary,  there  was  an  air  of  neglect 
about  his  person,  like  that  which  might  have  proceeded  from 
great  and  recent  exertion,  which  he  had  not  yet  found  leisure 
to  repair.  The  colors  of  the  war-paint  had  blended  in  dark 
confusion  about  his  fierce  countenance,  and  rendered  his 
swarthy  lineaments  still  more  savage  and  repulsive,  than  if 
art  had  attempted  an  effect,  which  had  been  thus  produced  by 
chance.  His  eye,  alone,  which  glistened  like  a  fiery  star  amid 
lowering  clouds,  was  to  be  seen  in  its  state  of  native  wildness. 
For  a  single  instant,  his  searching  and  yet  wary  glance,  met 
the  wondering  look  of  the  other,  and  then,  changing  its  direc?- 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  !«j 

tion,  partly  in  cunning,  and  partly  in  disdain,  it  remained  fixed, 
as  if  penetrating  the  distant  air. 

It  is  impossible  to  say  what  unlooked-for  remark  this  short 
and  silent  communication,  between  two  such  singular  men, 
might  have  elicited  from  the  white  man,  had  not  his  active 
curiosity  been  again  drawn  to  other  objects.  A  general  move' 
ment  amongst  the  domestics,  and  a  low  sound  of  gentle  voices, 
announced  the  approach  of  those  whose  presence  alone  was 
wanted  to  enable  the  cavalcade  to  move.  The  simple  admirer 
of  the  war-horse  instantly  fell  back  to  a  low,  gaunt,  switch- 
tailed  mare,  that  was  unconsciously  gleaning  the  faded  her- 
bage of  the  camp  nigh  by  ;  where,  leaning  with  one  elbow  on 
the  blanket  that  concealed  an  apology  for  a  saddle,  he  became 
a  spectator  of  the  departure,  while  a  foal  was  quietly  making 
its  morning  repast,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  same  animal. 

A  young  man,  in  the  dress  of  an  officer,  conducted  to  their 
steeds  two  females,  who,  as  it  was  apparent  by  their  dresses, 
were  prepared  to  encounter  the  fatigues  of  a  journey  in  the 
woods.  One,  and  she  was  the  most  juvenile  in  her  appearance, 
though  both  were  young,  permitted  glirripses  of  her  dazzling 
complexion,  fair  golden  hair,  and  bright  blue  eyes,  to  be  caught 
as  she  artlessly  suffered  the  morning  air  to  blow  aside  the 
green  veil  which  descended  low  from  her  beaver.  The  flush 
which  still  lingered  above  the  pines  in  the  western  sky,  was 
not  more  bright  nor  delicate  than  the  bloom  on  her  cheek ; 
nor  was  the  opening  day  more  cheering  than  the  animated 
smile  which  she  bestow'ed  on  the  youth,  as  he  assisted  her 
into  the  saddle.  The  other,  who  appeared  to  share  equally 
in  the  attentions  of  the  young  officer,  concealed  her  charms 
from  the  gaze  of  the  soldiery  with  a  care  that  seemed  better 
fitted  to  the  experience  of  four  or  five  additional  years.  It 
could  be  seen,  however,  that  her  person,  though  moulded  with 
the  same  exquisite  proportions,  of  which  none  of  the  graces 
were  lost  by  the  travelling  dress  she  wore,  was  rather  fuller 
and  more  mature  than  that  of  her  companion. 

No  sooner  were  these  females  seated,  than  their  attendant 
sprang  lightly  into  the  saddle  of  the  war-horse,  when  the 
whole  three  bowed  to  Webb,  who  in  courtesy  awaited  their 
parting  on  the  threshold  of  his  cabin,  and  turning  their  horses' 
heads,  they  proceeded  at  a  slow  amble,  followed  by  their  train, 
towards  the  northern  entrance  of  the  encampment.  .As  they 
traversed  that  short  distance,  not  a  voice  was  heard  amongst 
them  ;  but  a  slight  exclamation  proceeded  from  the  younger 
of  the  females,  as  the  Indian  runner  glided  by  her,  unexpect 


£6  THE  LAST  OP  THE  MOHICANS. 

edly,  and  led  the  way  along  the  military  road  in  her  front, 
Though  this  sudden  and  startling  movement  of  the  Indian 
produced  no  sound  from  the  other,  in  the  surprise,  her  veil 
alsrwas  allowed  to  open  its  folds,  and  betrayed  an  indescrib 
able  look  of  pity  admiration,  and  horror,  as  her  dark  eye 
followed  the  easy  motions  of  the  savage.  The  tresses  of  this* 
lady  were  shining  and  black,  like  the  plumage  of  the  raven. 
Her  complexion  was  not  brown,  but  it  rather  appeared  charged 
with  the  color  of  the  rich  blood,  that  seemed  ready  to  burst 
its  bounds.  And  yet  there  was  neither  coarseness  nor  want 
of  shadowing  in  a  countenance  that  was  exquisitely  regular 
and  dignified,  and  surpassingly  beautiful.  She  smiled,  as  if  in 
pity  at  her  own  momentary  forgetful  ness,  discovering  by  the 
act  a  row  of  teeth  that  would  have  shamed  the  purest  ivory ; 
when,  replacing  the  veil,  she  bowed  her  face,  and  rode  in 
silence,  like  one  whose  thoughts  were  abstracted  from  the 
scene  around  her. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Sola,  sola,  wo  ha,  ho,  sola  I 

SHAKESPEARE. 

WHILE  one  of  the  lovely  beings  we  have  so  cursorily  pre- 
sented to  the  reader  was  thus  lost  in  thought,  the  other  quickly 
recovered  from  the  alarm  which  induced  the  exclamation,  and, 
laughing  at  her  own  weakness,  she  inquired  of  the  youth  who 
rode  by  her  side, — 

"  Are  such  spectres  frequent  in  the  woods,  Heyward ;  or 
is  this  sight  an  especial  entertainment  ordered  on  our  behalf? 
If  the  latter,  gratitude  must  close  our  mouths  ;  but  if  the 
former,  both  Cora  and  I  shall  have  need  to  draw  largely  on 
that  stock  of  hereditary  courage  which  we  boast,  even  before 
we  are  made  to  encounter  the  redoutable  Montcalm." 

"Yon  Indian  is  a  'runner'  of  the  army;  and,  after  the 
fashion  of  his  people,  he  may  be  accounted  a  hero,"  returned 
the  officer.  "  He  has  volunteered  to  guide  us  to  the  lake,  by 
a  path  but  little  known,  sooner  than  if  we  followed  the  tardy 
movements  of  the  column  j  and,  by  consequence,  more  agreea' 
bly," 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  lj 

"  I  like  him  not,"  said  the  lady,  shuddering,  partly  in 
assumed,  yet  more  in  real  terror.  "  You  know  him,  Duncan, 
or  you  would  not  trust  yourself  so  freely  to  his  keeping  ? " 

"Say,  rather,  Alice,  that  I  would  not  trust  you.  I  do 
know  him.  or  he  would  not  have  my  confidence,  and  least  of 
all  at  this  moment.  He  is  said  to  be  a  Canadian,  too ;  and 
yet  he  served  with  our  friends  the  Mohawks,  who,  as  you 
know,  are  one  of  the  six  allied  nations.*  He  was  brought 
amongst  us,  as  I  have  heard,  by  some  strange  accident  in 
which  your  father  was  interested,  and  in  which  the  savage  was 
rigidly  dealt  by  ;  but  I  forget  the  idle  tale ;  it  is  enough,  that 
he  is  now  our  friend." 

*  If  he  has  been  my  father's  enemy,  I  like  him  still  less !  " 
exclaimed  the  now  really  anxious  girl.  "  Will  you  not  speak 
to  him,  Major  Heyward,  that  I  may  hear  his  tones  ?  Foolish 
though  it  may  be,  you  have  often  heard  me  avow  my  faith  in 
the  tones  of  the  human  voice  !  " 

"  It  would  be  in  vain  ;  and  answered  most  probably,  by  an 
ejaculation.  Though  he  may  understand  it,  he  affects,  like 
most  of  his  people,  to  be  ignorant  of  the  English  ;  and  least 
of  all  will  he  condescend  to  speak  it  now,  that  the  war  demands 
the  utmost  exercise  of  his  dignity.  But  he  stops  ;  the  private  • 
path  by  which  we  are  to  journey,  is,  doubtless,  at  hand." 

The  conjecture  of  Major  Heyward  was  true.  When  they 
reached  the  spot  where  the  Indian  stood,  pointing  into  the 
thicket  that  fringed  the  military  road,  a  narrow  and  blind 
path,  which  might,  with  some  little  inconvenience,  receive  one 
person  at  a  time,  became  visible. 

"  Here,  then,  lies  our  way,"  said  the  young  man  in  a  low 
voice.  "  Manifest  no  distrust,  or  you  may  invite  the  danger 
you  appear  to  apprehend." 

"  Cora,  what  think  you  ? "  asked  the  reluctant  fair  one. 
"  If  we  journey  with  the  troops,  though  we  may  find  their 
presence  irksome,  shall  we  not  feel  better  assurance  of  our 
safety?" 

*  There  existed  for  a  long  time  a  confederation  among  the  Indian  tribes  which, 
occupied  the  north-westein  part  of  the  colony  of  New  York,  which  was  at  first  known 
as  the  "  Five  Nations."  At  a  later  day  it  admitted  another  tribe,  when  the  appella- 
tion was  changed  to  that  of  the  "  Six  Nations."  The  original  confederation  con 
sisted  of  the  Mohawks,  the  Oneidas,  the  Senecas,  the  Cayugas,  and  the  Onondagoes 
The  sixth  tribe  was  the  Tuscaroras.  There  are  remnants  of  all  these  people  still 
Jiving  on  lands  secured  to  them  by  the  state ;  but  they  are  daily  disappearing, 
either  by  deaths,  or  by  removals  to  scenes  more  congenial  to  their  habits.  In  a 
short  time  there  will  be  no  remains  of  these  extraordinary  people,  in  those  regions 
in  which  they  dwelt  for  centuries,  but  their  names.  The  state  of  New  York  has 
eounties  named  after  all  of  them  but  the  >lohawks  and  the  Tuscaroras,  Thf 
•ccond  river  of  that  state  is  Qalledi  the  Mohawk. 


l8  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

"  Being  little  accustomed  to  the  practices  of  the  savages, 
Alice,  you  mistake  the  place  of  real  danger,"  said  Heyward. 
"  If  enemies  have  reached  the  portage  at  all,  a  thing  by  no 
means  probable,  as  our  scouts  are  abroad,  they  will  surely  be 
found  skirting  the  columns,  where  scalps  abound  the  most. 
The  route  of  the  detachment  is  known,  while  ours,  having 
been  determined  within  the  hour,  must  still  be  secret." 

**  Should  we  distrust  the  man  because  his  manners  are  not 
our  manners,  and  that  his  skin  is  dark  ?  "  coldly  asked 
Cora. 

Alice  hesitated  no  longer ;  but  giving  her  Narraganset  *  a 
smart  cut  of  the  whip,  she  was  the  first  to  dash  aside  the 
""slight  branches  of  the  bushes,  and  to  follow  the  runner 
along  the  dark  and  tangled  pathway.  The  young  man  re- 
garded the  last  speaker  in  open  admiration,  and  even  per- 
mitted her  fairer,  though  certainly  not  more  beautiful  com- 
panion, to  proceed  unattended,  while  he  sedulously  opened 
the  way  himself  for  the  passage  of  her  who  has  been  called  Cora. 
It  would  seem  that  the  domestics  had  been  previously  in- 
structed ;  for,  instead  of  penetrating  the  thicket,  they  followed 
the  route  of  the  column ;  a  measure  which  Heyward  stated 
had  been  dictated  by  the  sagacity  of  their  guide,  in  order  to 
diminish  the  marks  of  their  trail,  if,  haply,  the  Canadian  sav- 
ages should  be  lurking  so  far  in  advance  of  their  army.  For 
many  minutes  the  intricacy  of  the  route  admitted  of  no  fur- 
ther dialogue  ;  atfter  which  they  emerged  from  the  broad  bor- 
der of  under-brush  which  grew  along  the  line  of  the  highway, 
and  entered  under  the  high  but  dark  arches  of  the  forest. 
Here  their  progress  was  less  interrupted  ;  and  the  instant 
the  guide  perceived  that  the  females  could  command  their 
steeds,  he  moved  on,  at  a  pace  between  a  trot  and  a  walk,  and 
at  a  rate  which  kept  the  sure-footed  and  peculiar  animals  they 
rode,  at  a  fast  yet  easy  amble.  The  youth  had  turned  to 
speak  to  the  dark-eyed  Cora,  when  the  distant  sounds  of 
horses'  hoofs,  clattering  over  the  roots  of  the  broken  way  in 
his  rear,  caused  him  to  check  his  charger ;  and,  as  his  com- 

*  In  the  state  of  Rhode  Island  there  is  a  bay  called  Narraganset,  so  named  after 
a  powerful  tribe  of  Indians  which  formerly  dwelt  on  its  banks.  Accident,  or  one  of 
those  unaccountable  freaks  which  nature  sometimes  plays  in  the  animal  world,  gave 
rise  to  a  breed  of  horses  which  were  once  well  known  in  America  by  the  name  of  the 
Narragansets.  They  were  small,  commonly  of  the  color  called  sorrel  in  America, 
and  distinguished  by  their  habit  of  pacing.  Horses  of  this  race  were,  and  are  still, 
in  ranch  request  as  saddle  horses,  on  account  of  their  hardiness  and  the  ease  of  their 
movements.  As  they  were  also  sure  of  foot,  the  Narragansets  were  greatly  sought 
for  by  females  who  were  obliged  to  travel  over  the  roots  and  holes  in  the"!!".* 
countries  " 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  xg 

/ 

panions  drew  their  reins  at  the  same  instant,  the  whole  party 
tame  to  a  halt,  in  order  to  obtain  an  explanation  of  the  un- 
looked-for interruption. 

In  a  few  moments  a  colt  was  seen  gliding,  like  a  fallow 
deer,  amongst  the  straight  trunks  of  the  pines,  and,  in  another 
instant,  the  person  of  the  ungainly  man,  described  in  the  pre- 
ceding chapter,  came  into  view,  with  as  much  rapidity  as  he 
could  excite  his  meagre  beast  to  endure  without  coming  to 
an  open  rupture.  Until  now  this  personage  had  escaped  the 
observation  of  the  travellers.  If  he  possessed  the  power  to 
arrest  any  wandering  eye  when  exhibiting  the  glories  of  his 
altitude  on  foot,  his  equestrian  graces  were  still  more  likely 
to  attract  attention.  Notwithstanding  a  constant  application 
of  his  one  armed  heel  to  the  flanks  of  the  mare,  the  most  con- 
firmed gait  that  he  could  establish  was  a  Canterbury  gallop 
with  the  hind  legs,  in  which  those  more  forward  assisted  for 
doubtful  moments,  though  generally  content  to  maintain  a 
lopeing  trot.  Perhaps  the  rapidity  of  the  changes  from  one 
of  these  paces  to  the  other  created  an  optical  illusion,  which 
might  thus  magnify  the  powers  of  the  beast ;  for  it  is.certain 
that  Heyward,  who  possessed  a  true  eye  for  the  merits  of  a 
horse,  was  unable,  with  his  utmost  ingenuity,  to  decide  by 
what  sort  of  movements  his  pursuer  worked  his  sinuous  way 
on  his  footsteps  with  such  presevering  hardihood. 

.  The  industry  and  movement  of  the  rider  were  not  less  re- 
markable than  those  of  the  ridden.  At  each  change  in  the 
evolutions  of  the  latter,  the  former  raised  his  tall  person  in 
the  stirrups  ;  producing,  in  this  manner,  by  the  undue  elon- 
gation of  his  legs,  such  sudden  growths  and  diminishings  of 
the  stature,  as  baffled  every  conjecture  that  might  be  made  as 
to  his  dimensions.  If  to  this  be  added  the  fact  that,  in  con- 
sequence of  the  ex parte  application  of  the  spur,  one  side  of 
the  mare  appeared  to  journey  faster  than  the  other  ;  and  that 
the  aggrieved  flank  was  resolutely  indicated  by  unremitted 
flourishes  of  a  bushy  tail,  we  finish  the  picture  of  both  horse 
and  man. 

The  frown  which  had  gathered  around  the  handsome,  open, 
and  manly  brow  of  Heyward,  gradually  relaxed,  and  his  lips 
curled  into  a  slight  smile,  as  he  regarded  the  stranger.  Alice 
made  no  very  powerful  effort  to  control  .her  merriment ;  and 
even  the  dark  thoughtful  eye  of  Cora  lighted  with  a  humor 
that,  it  would  seem,  the  habit,  rather  than  the  nature,  of  its 
mistress  repressed. 

"  Seek  you  any  here  ? "  demanded  Heyward,  when   the 


2o  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICAKS. 

ether  had  arrived  sufficiently  nigh  to  abate  his  speed ;  "  \ 
trust  you  are  no  messenger  of  evil  tidings." 

"  Even  so,"  replied  the  stranger,  making  diligent  use  of 
his  triangular  castor,  to  produce  a  circulation  in  the  close 
air  of  the  woods,  and  leaving  his  hearers  in  doubt  to  which  of 
the  young  man's  questions  he  responded  ;  when,  however,  he 
had  cooled  his  face,  and  recovered  his  breath,  he  continued  : 
"  I  hear  you  are  riding  to  William  Henry  ;  as  I  am  journeying 
thitherward  myself,  I  concluded  good  company  would  seem 
consistent  to  the  wishes  of  both  parties." 

"  You  appear  to  possess  the  privilege  of  a  casting  vote,"  re- 
turned Heyward  :  "  we  are  three,  whilst  you  have  consulted 
no  one  but  yourself." 

"  Even  so.  The  first  point  to  be  obtained  is  to  know  one's 
own  mind.  Once  sure  of  that, — and  where  women  are  con- 
cerned it  is  not  easy, — the  next  is,  to  act  up  to  the  decision. 
I  have  endeavored  to  do  both,  and  here  I  am." 

"  If  you  journey  to  the  lake,  you  have  mistaken  the  route," 
said  Heyward,  haughtily ;  "  the  highway  thither  is  at  least 
half  a  mile  behind  you." 

"Even  so,"  returned  the  stranger,  nothing  daunted  by  this 
cold  reception  ;  "  I  have  tarried  at  '  Edward  '  a  week,  and  I 
should  be  dumb  not  to  have  inquired  the  road  I  was  to  journey; 
and  if  dumb  there  would  be  an  end  to  my  calling."  After 
simpering  in  a  small  way,  like  one  whose  modesty  prohibited 
a  more  open  expression  of  his  admiration  of  a  witticism  that 
was  perfectly  unintelligible  to  his  hearers,  he  continued,  "  It  is 
not  prudent  for  any  one  of  my  profession  to  be  too  familiar 
with  those  he  has  to  instruct ;  for  which  reason  I  follow  not 
the  line  of  the  army ;  besides  which,  I  conclude  that  a  gentle- 
man of  your  character  has  the  best  judgment  in  matters  of 
wayfaring;  I  have  therefore  decided  to  join  company,  in  order 
that  the  ride  may  be  made  agreeable,  and  partake  of  social 
communion." 

"  A  most  arbitrary,  if  not  a  hasty  decision !  "  exclaimed 
Heyward,  undecided  whether  to  give  vent  to  his  growing 
anger,  or  to  laugh  in  the  other's  face.  "But  you  speak  of 
instruction,  and  of  a  profession  ;  are  you  an  adjunct  to  the 
provincial  corps,  as  a  master  of  the  noble  science  of  defence 
and  offence  ;  or,  perhaps,  you  are  one  who  draws  lines  and 
angles,  under  the  pretence  of  expounding  the  mathematics  ? " 

The  stranger  regarded  his  interrogator  a  moment  in  won« 
der  ;  and  then,  losing  every  mark  of  self-satisfaction  in  an  ea 
pression  of  solemn  humility,  he  answered  : 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  jt 

"  Of  offence,  I  hope  there  is  none  to  either  party :  of  defence, 
I  make  none — by  God's  good  mercy,  having  committed  no 
palpable  sin  since  last  entreating  his  pardoning  grace.  I 
understand  not  your  allusions  about  lines  and  angles ;  and  I 
leave  expounding  to  those  who  have  been  called  and  set 
apart  for  that  holy  office.  I  lay  claim  to  no  higher  gift  than 
a  small  insight  into  the  glorious  art  of  petitioning  and  thanks- 
giving, as  practised  in  psalmody." 

"  The  man  is,  most  manifestly,  a  disciple  of  Apollo,"  cried 
the  amused  Alice,  "  and  I  take  him  under  my  own  especial 
protection.  Nay,  throw  aside  that  frown,  Hey  ward,  and  in 
pity  to  my  longing  ears,  surfer  him  to  journey  in  our  train. 
Besides,"  she  added,  in  a  low  and  hurried  voice,  casting  a 
glance  at  the  distant  Cora,  who  slowly  followed  the  footsteps 
of  their  silent  but  sullen  guide,  "  it  may  be  a  friend  added  to 
our  strength,  in  time  of  need." 

"  Think  you,  Alice,  that  I  would  trust  those  I  love  by  this 
secret  path,  did  I  imagine  such  need  could  happen  ? " 

"  Nay,  nay,  I  think  not  of  it  now  ;  but  this  strange  man 
amuses  me;  and  if  he  *  hath  music  in  his  soul,' let  us  not 
churlishly  reject  his  company."  She  pointed  persuasively 
along  the  path  with  her  riding-whip,  while  their  eyes  met  in  a 
look  which  the  young  man  lingered  a  moment  to  prolong ;  then, 
yielding  to  her  gentle  influence,  he  clapped  his  spurs  into  his 
charger,  and  in  a  few  bounds  was  again  at  the  side  of  Cora. 

"  I  am  glad  to  encounter  thee,  friend,"  continued  the  maiden, 
waving  her  hand  to  the  stranger  to  proceed,  as  she  urged  her 
Narraganset  to  renew  its  amble.  "  Partial  relatives  hav«  al- 
most persuaded  m*  that  I  am  not  entirely  worthless  in  a  duet 
myself ;  and  we  may  enliven  our  wayfaring  by  indulging  in  our 
favorite  pursuit.  It  might  be  of  signal  advantage  to  one,  ig- 
norant as  I,  to  hear  the  opinions  and  experience  of  a  master 
in  the  art." 

.  "  It  is  refreshing  both  to  the  spirits  and  to  the  body  to  in- 
dulge in  psalmody,  in  befitting  seasons,"  returned  the  master 
of  song,  unhesitatingly  complying  with  her  intimation  to  follow, 
*  and  nothing  would  relieve  the  mind  more  than  such  a  consol- 
•ng  communion.  But  four  parts  are  altogether  necessary  to 
the  perfection  of  melody.  You  have  all  the  manifestations  of 
ft  soft  and  rich  treble  ;  I  can,  by  especial  aid,  carry  a  full  tenor 
to  the  highest  letter ;  but  we  lack  counter  and  bass !  You 
officer  of  the  king,  who  hesitated  to  admit  me  to  his  company, 
might  fill  the  latter,  if  one  may  judge  from  che  intonations  of 
his  voice  in  common  dialogue." 


22  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

"  Judge  not  too  rashly  from  hasty  and  deceptive  appear- 
ances," said  the  lady  smiling  ;  "  though  Major  Hey  ward  can 
assume  such  deep  notes  on  occasion,  believe  me,  his  natural 
tones  are  better  fitted  for  a  mellow  tenor  than  the  bass  you 
heard." 

"  Is  he,  then,  much  practised  in  the  art  of  psalmody  ?  "  de- 
manded her  simple  companion. 

Alice  felt  disposed  to  laugh,  though  she  succeeded  in  sup- 
pressing her  merriment,  ere  she  answered — 

"  I  apprehend  that  he  is  rather  addicted  to  profane  song, 
The  chances  of  a  soldier's  life  are  but  little  fitted  for  the  en- 
couragement of  more  sober  inclinations." 

"  Man's  voice  is  given  to  him,  like  his  other  talents,  to  be 
used,  and  not  to  be  abused.  None  can  say  they  have  ever 
known  me  neglect  my  gifts !  I  am  thankful  that,  though  my 
boyhood  may  be  said  "to  have  been  set  apart,  like  the  youth  of 
the  royal  David,  for  the  purposes  of  music,  no  syllable  of  rude 
verse  has  ever  profaned  my  lips." 

"  You  have,  then,  limited  your  efforts  to  sacred  song  ? " 

"  Even  so.  As  the  psalms  of  David  exceed  all  other  lan- 
guage, so  does  the  psalmody  that  has  been  fitted  to  them  by  the 
divines  and  sages  of  the  land,  surpass  all  vain  poetry.  Happily, 
I  may  say  that  I  utter  nothing  but  the  thoughts  and  the  wishes 
of  the  King  of  Israel  himself  ;  for  though  the  times  may  call 
for  some  slight  changes,  yet  does  this  version  which  we  use 
in  the  colonies  of  New  England  so  much  exceed  all  other 
versions,  that,  by  its  richness,  its  exactness,  and  its  spiritual 
simplicity,  it  approacheth,  as  near  as  may  be,  to  the  great 
work  of  the  inspired  writer.  I  never  abide  in  any  place, 
sleeping  or  waking,  without  an  example  of  this  gifted  work. 
,Tis  the  six-and-twentieth  edition,  promulgated  at  Boston, 
Anno  Domini  1744  ;  and  is  entitled,  *  The  Psalms,  Hymns  and 
Spiritual  Songs  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  ;  faithfully 
translated  into  English  Metre,  for  the  Use,  Edification,  and 
Comfort  of  the  Saints,  in  Public  and  Private,  especially  in 
New  England.'  '» 

During  this  eulogium  on  the  rare  production  of  his  native 
poets,  the  stranger  had  drawn  the  book  from  his  pocket,  and 
fitting  a  pair  of  iron-rimmed  spectacles  to  his  nose,  opened 
the  volume  with  a  care  and  veneration  suited  to  its  sacred 
purposes.  Then,  without  circumlocution  or  apology,  first  pro« 
nouncing  the  word  "  Standish,"  and  placing  the  unknown 
engine,  already  described,  to  his  mouth,  from  which  he  drew 
a  high,  shrill  sound,  that  was  followed  by  an  octave  below, 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  23 

from  his  own  voice,  he  commenced  singing  the  following  wordsv 
in  full,  sweet,  and  melodious  tones,  that  set  the  music,  the 
poetry,  and  everi  the  uneasy  motion  of  his  ill-trained  beast  at 
defiance : 

"  How  good  it  is,  O  see, 

And  how  it  pleaseth  well, 
Together,  e'en  in  unity, 

For  brethren  so  to  dwell. 
It's  like  the  choice  ointment, 

From  the  head  to  th'  beard  did  go  : 
Down  Aaron's  beard,  that  downward  went, 
His  garment's  skirts  u.ito." 

The  delivery  of  these  skilful  rhymes  was  accompanied,  on 
the  part  of  the  stranger,  by  a  regular  rise  and  fall  of  his  right 
hand,  which  terminated  at  the  descent,  by  suffering  the  fin- 
gers to  dwell  a  moment  on  the  leaves  of  the  little  volume ; 
and  on  the  ascent,  by  such  a  flourish  of  the  member  as  none 
but  the  initiated  may  ever  hope  to  imitate.  It  would  seem 
that  long  practice  had  rendered  this  manual  accompaniment 
necessary ;  for  it  did  not  cease  until  the  preposition  which  the 
poet  had  selected  for  the  close  of  his  verse,  had  been  duly 
delivered  like  a  word  of  two  syllables. 

Such  an  innovation  on  the  silence  and  retirement  of  the 
forest  could  not  fail  to  enlist  the  ears  of  those  who  journeyed 
at  so  short  a  distance  in  advance.  The  Indian  muttered  a 
few  words  in  broken  English  to  Heyward,  who,  in  his  turn, 
spoke  to  the  stranger ;  at  once  interrupting,  and,  for  the  time, 
closing  his  musical  efforts. 

"  Though  we  are  not  in  danger,  common  prudence  would 
teach  us  to  journey  through  this  wilderness  in  as  quiet  a  man- 
ner as  possible.  You  will,  then,  pardon  me,  Alice,  should  I 
diminish  your  enjoyments,  by  requesting  this  gentleman  to 
postpone  his  chant  until  a  safer  opportunity." 

"  You  will  diminish  them,  indeed,"  returned  the  arch  girl  j 
''*  for  never  did  1  hear  a  more  unworthy  conjunction  of  ex- 
ecution and  language,  than  that  to  which  I  have  been  listen- 
ing •  and  I  was  far  gone  in  a  learned  inquiry  in  the  causes  of 
such  an  unfitness  between  sound  and  sense,  when  you  broke 
the  charm  of  my  musings  by  that  bass  of  yours,  Duncan  !  " 

"  I  know  not  what  you  call  my  bass,"  said  Heyward, 
piqued  at  her  remark,  "  but  I  know  that  your  safety,  and  that 
of  Cora,  is  far  dearer  to  me  than  could  be  any  orchestra  of 
Handel's  music."  He  paused  and  turned  his  head  quickly 
towards  a  thicket,  and  then  bent  his  eyes  suspiciously  on  their 
guide,  who  continued  his  steady  pace,  in  undisturbed  gravity 


24  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

The  young  man  smiled  to  himself,  for  he  believed  he  had  mis- 
taken some  shining  berry  of  the  woods  for  the  glistening  eye- 
balls of  a  prowling  savage,  and  he  rode  forward,  continuing 
the  conversation  which  had  been  interrupted  by  the  passing 
thought. 

Major  Heyward  was  mistaken  only  in  suffering  his  youth- 
ful and  generous  pride  to  suppress  his  active  watchfulness. 
The  cavalcade  had  not  long  passed,  before  the  branches  of  the 
bushes  that  formed  the  thicket  were  cautiously  moved  asunder, 
and  a  human  visage,  as  fiercely  wild  as  savage  art  and  unbridled 
passions  could  make  it,  peered  out  on  the  retiring  footsteps  of  the 
travellers.  A  gleam  of  exultation  shot  across  the  darkly-painted 
lineaments  of  the  inhabitant  of  the  forest,  as  he  traced  the  route 
of  his  intended  victims,  who  rode  unconsciously  onward  :  the 
light  and  graceful  forms  of  the  females  waving  among  the 
trees,  in  the  curvatures  of  their  path,  followed  at  each  bend 
by  the  manly  figure  of  Heyward,  until,  finally,  the  shapeless 
person  of  the  singing  master  was  concealed  behind  the  num- 
berless trunks  of  trees,  that  rose,  in  dark  lines,  in  the  inter- 
mediate space. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Before  these  fields  were  shorn  and  tilW 

Full  to  the  brim  our  rivers  flow'd ; 
The  melody  of  waters  fill'd 

The  fresh  and  boundless  wood ; 
And  torrents  dash'd,  and  rivulets  play'd, 

And  fountains  spouted  in  the  shade. 

BRYANT. 

LEAVING  the  unsuspecting  Heyward  and  his  confiding 
companions  to  penetrate  still  deeper  into  a  forest  that  con- 
tained such  treacherous  inmates,  we  must  use  an  author's 
privilege,  and  shift  the  scene  a  few  miles  to  the  westward  of 
the  place  where  we  have  last  seen  them. 

On  that  day,  two  men  were  lingering  on  the  banks  of  a 
small  but  rapid  stream,  within  an  hour's  journey  of  the  encamp- 
ment of  Webb,  like  those  who  awaited  the  appearance  of  an 
absent  person,  or  the  approach  of  some  expected  event 
The  vast  canopy  of  woods  spread  itself  to  the  margin  of  the 
river  over-hanging  the  water,  and  shadowing  its  dark  current 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  £5 

with  a  deeper  hue.  The  rays  of  the  sun  were  beginning  to 
grow  less  fierce,  and  the  intense  heat  of  the  day  was  lessened, 
as  the  cooler  vapors  of  the  springs  and  fountains  rose  above 
their  leafy  beds,  and  rested  in  the  atmosphere.  Still  that 
breathing  silence,  which  marks  the  drowsy  sultriness  of  an 
American  landscape  in  July,  pervaded  the  secluded  spot,  in- 
terrupted only  by  the  low  voices  of  the  men,  the  occasional 
and  lazy  tap  of  a  woodpecker,  the  discordant  cry  of  some 
gaudy  jay,  or  a  swelling  on  the  ear,  from  the  dull  roar  of  a 
distant  waterfall. 

These  feeble  and  broken  sounds  were,  however,  too  familial 
to  the  foresters,  to  draw  their  attention  from  the  more  inter- 
esting matter  of  their  dialogue.  While  one  of  these  loiterers 
showed  the  red  skin  and  wild  accoutrements  of  a  native  of  the 
woods,  the  other  exhibited,  through  the  mask  of  his  rude  and 
nearly  savage  equipments,  the  brighter,  though  sun-burnt  and 
long-faded  complexion  of  one  who  might  claim  descent  from 
a  European  parentage.  The  former  was  seated  on  the  end  of 
a  mossy  log,  in  a  posture  that  permitted  him  to  heighten  the 
effect  of  his  earnest  language,  by  the  calm  but  expressive 
gestures  of  an  Indian  engaged  in  debate.  His  body,  which 
was  nearly  naked,  presented  a  terrific  emblem  of  death,  drawn 
in  intermingled  colors  of  white  and  black.  His  closely-shaved 
head,  on  which  no  other  hair  than  the  well  known  and  chival- 
rous scalping  tuft  *  was  preserved,  was  without  ornament  of 
any  kind,  with  the  exception  of  a  solitary  eagle's  plume,  that 
crossed  his  crown,  and  depended  over  the  left  shoulder.  A 
tomahawk  and  scalping-knife,  of  English  manufacture,  were 
in  his  girdle  ;  while  a  short  military  rifle,  of  that  sort  with 
which  the  policy  of  the  whites  armed  their  savage  allies,  lay 
carelessly  across  his  bare  and  sinewy  knee.  The  expanded 
chest,  full  formed  limbs,  and  grave  countenance  of  this  war- 
rior, would  denote  that  he  had  reached  the  vigor  of  his  days, 
though  no  symptoms  of  decay  appeared  to  have  yet  weakened 
his  manhood. 

The  frame  of  the  white  man,  judging  by  such  parts  as 
were  not  concealed  by  his  clothes,  was  like  that  of  one  who 
had  known  hardships  and  exertion  from  his  earliest  youth. 

*  The  North  American  warrior  caused  the  hair  to  be  plucked  from  his  whole 
body  ;  a  small  tuft,  only,  was  left  on  the  crown  of  his  head,  in  order  that  his  enemy 
might  avail  himself  of  it,  in  wrenching  off  the  scalp  in  the  event  of  his  fall.  The 
scalp  was  the  only  admissible  trophy  of  victory.  Thus,  it  was  deemed  more  imp 
portant  to  obtain  the  scalp,  than  to  kill  the  man.  Some  tribes  lay  great  stress  on 
the  honor  of  striking  a  dead  body.  These  practices  have  nearly  disappeared  among 
the  Indians  of  the  Atlantic  states. 


26  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

His  person,  though  muscular,  was  rather  attenuated  than  full ; 
but  every  nerve  and  muscle  appeared  strung  and  indurated  by 
unremitted  exposure  and  toil.  He  wore  a  hunting-shirt  of 
forest-green,  fringed  with  faded  yellow,*  and  a  summer  cap 
of  skins  which  had  been  shorn  of  their  fur.  He  also  bore  a 
knife  in  a  girdle  of  wampum,  like  that  which  confined  the 
scanty  garments  of  the  Indian,  but  no  tomahawk.  His  moc- 
casins were  ornamented  after  the  gay  fashion  of  the  natives, 
while  the  only  part  of  his  under  -dress  which  appeared  below 
the  hunting  frock,  was  a  pair  of  buckskin  leggings,  that  laced 
at  the  sides,  and  which  were  gartered  above  the  knees,  with 
the  sinews  of  a  deer.  *  A  pouch  and  horn  completed  his  per- 
sonal accoutrements,  though  a  rifle  of  great  length,  f  which 
the  theory  of  the  more  ingenious  whites  had  taught  them  was 
the  most  dangerous  of  all  fire-arms,  leaned  against  a  neighbor- 
ing sapling.  The  eye  of  the  hunter,  or  scout,  whichever  he 
might  be,  was  small,  quick,  keen,  and  restless,  roving  while  he 
spoke,  on  every  side  of  him,  as  if  in  quest  of  game,  or  distrust- 
ing the  sudden  approach  of  some  lurking  enemy.  Notwith- 
standing these  symptoms  of  habitual  suspicion,  his  countenance 
was  not  only  without  guile,  but  at  the  moment  at  which  he  is 
introduced,  it  was  charged  with  an  expression  of  sturdy  hon- 
esty. 

"  Even  your  traditions  make  the  case  in  my  favor,  Chin- 
gachgook,"  he  said,  speaking  in  the  tongue  which  was  known 
to  all  the  natives  who  formerly  inhabited  the  country  between 
the  Hudson  and  the  Potomac,  and  of  which  we  shall  give  a 
free  translation  for  the  benefit  of  the  reader ;  endeavoring,  at 
the  same  time,  to  preserve  some  of  the  peculiarities,  both  of 
the  individual  and  of  the  language.  "  Your  fathers  came  from 
the  setting  sun,  crossed  the  big  river,  |  fought  the  people  of 
the  country,  and  took  the  land  ;  and  mine  came  from  the  red 
sky  of  the  morning,  over  the  salt  lake,  and  did  their  work 
much  after  the  fashion  that  had  been  set  them  by  yours ;  then 
let  God  judge  the  matter  between  us,  and  friends  spare  their 
words ! " 

*  The  hunting-shirt  is  a  picturesque  smock-frock,  being  shorter,  and  ornamented 
with  fringes  and  tassels.  The  colors  are  intended  to  imitate  the  hues  of  the  wood, 
with  a  view  to  concealment.  Many  corps  of  American  riflemen  have  been  thus 
attired  ;  and  the  dress  is  one  of  the  most  striking  of  modern  times.  The  hunting- 
thirt  is  frequently  white. 

f  The  rifle  of  the  army  is  short  ;  that  of  the  hunter  is  always  long. 

j  The  Mississippi.  The  scout  alludes  to  a  tradition  which  is  very  popular  among 
the  tribes  of  the  Atlantic  states.  Evidence  of  their  Asiatic  origin  is  deduced  from 
the  circumstances,  though  great  uncertainty  hangs  over  the  vrhole  history  of  thf 
Indians. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  37 

"  My  fathers  fought  with  the  naked  red  man  !  "  returned 
the  Indian,  sternly,  in  the  same  language.  "  Is  there  no 
difference,  Hawk-eye,  between  the  stone-headed  arrow  of  the 
warrior,  and  the  leaden  bullet  with  which  you  kill  ? " 

•  "  There  is  reason  in  an  Indian,  though  nature  has  made 
him  with  a  red  skin  ! "  said  the  white  man,  shaking  his  head 
like  one  on  whom  such  an  appeal  to  his  justice  was  not  thrown 
away.  For  a  moment  he  appeared  to  be  conscious  of  having 
the  worst  of  the  argument,  then  rallying  again,  he  answered 
the  objection  of  his  antagonist  in  the  best  manner  his  limited 
information  would  allow  :  "  I  am  no  scholar,  and  I  care  not 
who  knows  it ;  but,  judging  from  what  I  have  seen,  at  deer 
chases  and  squirrel  hunts,  of  the  sparks  below,  I  should  think 
a  rifle  in  the  hands  of  their  grandfathers  was  not  so  dangerous 
as  a  hickory  bow  and  a  good  flint-head  might  be,  if  drawn 
with  Indian  judgment,  and  sent  by  an  Indian  eye." 

"  You  have  the  story  told  by  your  fathers,"  returned  the 
other,  coldly  waving  his  hand.  "  What  say  your  old  men  ?  do 
they  tell  the  young  warriors,  that  the  pale  faces  met  the  red 
men,  painted  for  war  and  armed  with  the  stone  hatchet  and 
wooden  gun  ? " 

"  I  am  not  a  prejudiced  man,  nor  one  who  vaunts  himself 
on  his  natural  privileges,  though  the  worst  enemy  I  have  on 
earth,  and  he  is  an  Iroquois,  daren't  deny  that  I  am  genuine 
white,"  the  scout  replied,  surveying,  with  secret  satisfaction, 
the  faded  color  of  his  bony  and  sinewy  hand ;  "  and  I  am 
willing  to  own  that  my  people  have  many  ways,  of  which,  as 
an  honest  man,  I  can't  approve.  It  is  one  of  their  customs 
to  write  in  books  what  they  have  done  and  seen,  instead  of 
telling  them  in  their  villages,  where  the  lie  can  be  given  to 
the  face  of  a  cowardly  boaster,  and  the  brave  soldier  can  call 
on  his  comrades  to  witness  for  the  truth  of  his  words.  In 
consequence  of  this  bad  fashion,  a  man,  who  is  too  conscien- 
tious to  misspend  his  days  among  the  women,  in  learning  the 
names  of  black  marks,  may  never  hear  of  the  deeds  of  his 
fathers,  nor  feel  a  pride  in  striving  to  outdo  them.  For  myself, 
I  conclude  all  the  Bumppos  could  shoot ;  for  I  have  a  natural 
turn  with  a  rifle,  which  must  have  been  handed  down  from 
generation  to  generation,  as  our  holy  commandments  tell  us 
all  good  and  evil  gifts  are  bestowed ;  though  I  should  be  loth 
to  answer  for  other  people  in  such  a  matter.  But  every  story 
has  its  two  sides  :  so  I  ask  you,  Chingachgook,  what  passed, 
according  to  the  traditions  of  the  red  men,  when  om  fathers 
first  met?" 


28  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

A  silence  of  a  minute  succeeded,  during  which  the  Indiat 
sat  mute ;  then,  full  of  the  dignity  of  his  office,  he  commenced 
his  brief  tale,  with  a  solemnity  that  served  to  heighten  its  ap- 
pearance of  truth. 

"  Listen,  Hawk-eye,  and  your  ear  shall  drink  no  lie.  'Tis 
what  my  fathers  have  said,  and  what  the  Mohicans  have  done." 
He  hesitated  a  single  instant,  and  bending  a  cautious  glance  to 
wards  his  companion,  he  continued,  in  a  manner  that  was  di- 
vided between  interrogation  and  assertion.  "Does  not  this 
stream  at  our  feet  run  towards  the  summer,  until  its  waters 
grow  salt,  and  the  current  flows  upward  ?  " 

"  It  can't  be  denied  that  your  traditions  tell  you  true  in  both 
these  matters,"  said  the  white  man  ;  "  for  I  have  been  there, 
and  have  seen  them ;  though,  why  water,  which  is  so  sweet  in 
the  shade,  should  become  bitter  in  the  sun,  is  an  alteration  for 
which  I  have  never  been  able  to  account." 

"  And  the  current !  "  demanded  the  Indian,  who  expected 
his  reply  with  that  sort  of  interest  that  a  man  feels  in  the  con- 
firm ation  of  testimony,  at  which  he  marvels  even  while  he 
respects  it ;  "  the  fathers  of  Chingachcook  have  not  lied  !  " 

"The  holy  Bible  is  not  more  true,  and  that  is  the  truest 
thing  in  nature.  They  call  this  up-stream  current  the  tide, 
which  is  a  thing  soon  explained,  and  clear  enough.  Six  hours 
the  waters  run  in,  and  six  hours  they  run  out,  and  the  reason  is 
this  :  when  there  is  higher  water  in  the  sea  than  in  the  river, 
they  run  in  until  the  river  gets  to  be  highest,  and  then  it  runs 
out  again." 

"  The  waters  in  the  woods,  and  on  the  great  lakes,  run 
downward  until  they  lie  like  my  hand,"  said  the  Indian, 
stretching  the  limb  horizontally  before  him,  "  and  then  they  run 
no  more." 

"  No  honest  man  will  deny  it,"  said  the  scout  a  little  nettled 
at  the  implied  distrust  of  his  explanation  of  the  mystery  of  the 
tides  ;  "  and  I  grant  that  it  is  true  on  the  small  scale,  and, 
where  the  land  is  level.  But  everything  depends  on  what  scale 
you  look  at  things.  Now,  on  the  small  scale,  the  'arth  is  level  ; 
but  on  the  large  scale,  it  is  round.  In  this  manner,  pools  and 
ponds,  and  even  the  great  fresh-water  lakes,  may  be  stagnant, 
as  you  and  I  both  know  they  are,  having  seen  them  ;  but  when 
you  come  to  spread  water  over  a  great  tract,  like  the  sea,  where 
the  earth  is  round,  how  in  reason  can  the  water  be  quiet  ? 
You  might  as  well  expect  the  river  to  lie  still  on  the  brink  of 
those  black  rocks  a  mile  above  us,  though  your  own  ears  teU 
you  that  it  is  tumbling  over  them  at  this  very  moment." 


THE  LAST  OF  Tff.G  MOHICANS-  2<) 

If  unsatisfied  by  the  philosophy  of  his  companion,  the 
Indian  was  far  too  dignified  to  betray  his  unbelief.  He  listened 
like  one  who  was  convinced,  and  resumed  his  narrative  in  his 
former  solemn  manner. 

"We  came  from  the  place  where  the  sun  is  hid  at  night, 
over  great  plains  where  the  buffaloes  live,  until  we  reached  the 
big  river.  There  we  fought  the  Alligewi,  till  the  ground  was 
red  with  their  blood.  From  the  banks  of  the  big  river  to  the 
shores  of  the  salt  lake,  there  was  none  to  meet  us.  The 
Maquas  followed  at  a  distance.  We  said  the  country  should 
be  ours  from  the  place  where  the  water  runs  up  no  longer  on 
this  stream  to  a  river  twenty  sun's  journey  toward  the  summer. 
The  land  we  had  taken  like  warriors  we  kept  like  men.  We 
drove  the  Maquas  into  the  woods  with  the  bears.  They  only 
tasted  salt  at  the  licks  ;  they  drew  no  fish  from  the  great  lake  ; 
we  threw  them  the  bones." 

"  All  this  I  have  heard  and  believe,"  said  the  white  man, 
observing  that  the  Indian  paused  ;  "  but  it  was  long  before  the 
English  came  into  the  country." 

"  A  pine  grew  then  where  this  chestnut  now  stands.  The 
first  palefaces  who  came  among  us  spoke  no  English.  They 
came  in  a  large  canoe,  when  my  fathers  had  buried  the 
tomahawk  with  the  red  men  around  them.  Then,  Hawk-eye," 
he  continued,  betraying  his  deep  emotion,  only  by  permitting 
his  voice  to  fall  to  those  low,  guttural  tones,  which  render  his 
language,  as  spoken  at  times,  so  very  musical ;  "  then,  Hawk- 
eye,  we  were  one  people,  and  we  were  happy.  The  salt  lake 
gave  us  its  fish,  the  wood  its  deer,  and  the  air  its  birds.  We 
took  wives  who  bore  us  children ;  we  worshipped  the  Great 
Spirit ;  and  we  kept  the  Maquas  beyond  the  sound  of  our  songs 
of  triumph." 

"  Know  you  anything  of  your  own  family  at  that  time  ?  " 
demanded  the  white.  "  But  you  are  a  just  man,  for  an  Indian  ; 
and  as  I  suppose  you  hold  their  gifts,  your  fathers  must  have 
been  brave  warriors,  and  wise  men  at  the  council-fire." 

"My  tribe  is  the  grandfather  of  nations,  but  I  am  an  un- 
mixed man.  The  blood  of  chiefs  is  in  my  veins,  where  it  must 
stay  forever.  The  Dutch  landed,  and  gave  my  people  the  fire- 
water ;  they  drank  until  the  heavens  and  the  earth  seemed  to 
meet,  and  they  foolishly  thought  they  had  found  the  Great 
Spirit.  Then  they  parted  with  their  land.  Foot  by  foot,  they 
were  driven  back  from  the  shores,  until  I,  that  am  a  chief  and  a 
Sagamore,  have  never  seen  the  sun  shine  but  through  the  trees> 
and  have  never  visited  the  graves  of  my  fathers." 


^o  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

"  Graves  bring  solemn  feelings  over  the  mind,"  returned 
the  scout,  a  good  deal  touched  at  the  calm  suffering  of  his 
companion  :  "  and  they  often  aid  a  man  in  his  good  inten- 
tions ;  though,  for  myself,  I  expect  to  leave  my  own  bones 
unburied,  to  bleach  in  the  woods,  or  to  be  torn  asunder  by  the 
wolves.  But  where  are  to  be  found  those  of  your  race  who 
came  to  their  kin  in  the  Delaware  country,  so  many  summers 
since  ?  " 

44  Where  are  the  blossoms  of  those  summers  !— fallen  one 
by  one  ;  so  all  of  my  family  departed,  each  in  his  turn,  to  the 
(and  of  spirits.  I  am  on  the  hill-top  and  must  go  down  into 
the  valley ;  and  when  Uncas  follows  in  my  footsteps,  there 
will  no  longer  be  any  of  the  blood  of  the  Sagamores,  for  my 
boy  is  the  last  of  the  Mohicans." 

"  Uncas  is  here,"  said  another  voice,  in  the  same  soft 
guttural  tones,  near  his  elbow ;  "  who  speaks  to  Uncas  ?  " 

The  white  man  loosened  his  knife  in  his  leathern  sheath, 
and  made  an  involuntary  movement  of  the  hand  towards  his 
rifle,  at  this  sudden  interruption  ;  but  the  Indian  sat  composed, 
and  without  turning  his  head  at  the  unexpected  sounds. 

At  the  next  instant,  a  youthful  warrior  passed  between 
them,  with  a  noiseless  step,  and  seated  himself  on  the  bank 
of  the  rapid  stream  No  exclamation  of  surprise  escaped  the 
father,  nor  was  any  question  asked,  or  reply  given,  for  several 
minutes,  each  appearing  to  await  the  moment  when  he  might 
speak,  without  betraying  womanish  curiosity  or  childish  im- 
patience. The  white  man  seemed  to  take  counsel  from  their 
customs,  and,  relinquishing  his  grasp  of  the  rifle,  he  also  re- 
mained silent  and  reserved.  At  length  Chingachgook  turned 
his  eyes  slowly  towards  his  son,  and  demanded — 

"  Do  the  Miiquas  dare  to  leave  the  print  of  their  moc- 
casins in  these  woods  ? " 

"  I  have  been  on  their  trail,"  replied  the  young  Indian, 
"  and  know  that  they  number  as  many  as  the  fingers  of  my  two 
hands  ;  but  they  lie  hid  like  cowards." 

"  The  thieves  are  out-lying  for  scalps  and  plunder,"  said 
the  white  man,  whom  we  shall  call  Hawk-eye,  after  the 
manner  of  his  companions.  "  That  busy  Frenchman,  Mont- 
calm,  will  send  his  spies  into  our  very  camp,  but  he  will  know 
what  road  we  travel." 

"  Tis  enough,"  returned  the  father,  glancing  his  eye  to- 
wards the  setting  sun  ;  "  they  shall  be  driven  like  deer  from 
their  bushes.  Hawk-eye,  let  us  eat  to-night,  and  show  the 
Maquas  that  we  are  men  to-morrow  " 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  31 

"I  am  as  ready  to  do  the  one  as  the  other;  but  to  fight 
the  Iroquois  'tis  necessary  to  find  the  skulkers  ;  and  to  eat, 
'tis  necessary  to  get  .the  game— talk  of  the  devil  and  he  witt 
come  ;  there  is  a  pair  of  the  biggest  antlers  I  have  seen  this 
season,  moving  the  bushes  below  the  hill!  Now,  Uncas  he 
continued  in  a  half  whisper,  and  laughing  with  a  kind  of  in- 
ward sound,  like  one  who  had  learnt  to  be  watchful,  I  will 
bet  my  charger  three  times  full  of  powder,  against  a  foot  of 
wampum,  that  I  take  him  atwixt  the  eyes,  and  nearer  to  the 
right  than  to  the  left." 

<;  It  cannot  be  !  "  said  the  young  Indian,  springing  to  his 
feet  with  youthful  eagerness  ;  "  all  but  the  tips  of  his  horns 
ire  hid!" 

"  He's  a  boy ! "  said  the  white  man,  shaking  his  head 
while  he  spoke,  and  addressing  the  father.  "  Does  he  think 
when  a  hunter  sees  a  part  of  the  creatur',  he  can't  tell  where 
the  rest  of  him  should  be  !  " 

Adjusting  his  rifle,  he  was  about  to  make  an  exhibition  of 
that  skill  on  which  he  so  much  valued  himself,  when  the 
warrior  struck  up  the  piece  with  his  hand,  saying, 

"  Hawk-eye  !  will  you  fight  the  Maquas  ? " 

"  These  Indians  know  the  nature  of  the  woods,  as  it  might 
be  by  instinct !  "  returned  the  scout,  dropping  his  rifle,  and 
turning  away  like  a  man  who  was  convinced  of  his  error.  "  I 
must  leave  the  buck  to  your  arrow,  Uncas,  or  we  may  kill  a 
deer  for  them  thieves,  the  Iroquois,  to  eat." 

The  instant  the  father  seconded  this  intimation  by  an  ex- 
pressive gesture  of  the  hand,  Uncas  threw  himself  on  the 
ground,  and  approached  the  animal  with  wary  movements. 
When  within  a  few  yards  of  the  cover,  he  fitted  an  arrow  to 
his  bow  with  the  utmost  care,  while  the  antlers  moved,  as  if 
their  owner  snuffed  an  enemy  in  the  tainted  air.  In  another 
moment  the  twang  of  the  cord  was  heard,  a  white  streak  was 
seen  glancing  into  the  bushes,  and  the  wounded  buck 
plunged  from  the  cover,  to  the  very  feet  of  his  hidden 
enemy.  Avoiding  the  horns  of  the  infuriated  animal,  Uncas 
darted  to  his  side,  and  passed  his  knife  across  the  throat, 
when  bounding  to  the  edge  of  the  river  it  fell,  dyeing  the 
waters  with  its  blood. 

"  'Twas  done  with  Indian  skill,"  said  the  scout,  laughing 
inwardly,  but  with  vast  satisfaction-;  "  and  'twas  a  pretty 
sight  to  behold !  Though  an  arrow  is  a  near  shot,  it  needs 
a  knife  to  finish  the  work." 

"  Hugh  !  "  ejaculated  his  companion,  turning  quickly,  like 
a  houn4  who  scented  game. 


j*  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

"  By  the  Lord,  there  is  a  drove  of  them  !  "  exclaimed  the 
scout,  whose  eyes  began  to  glisten  with  the  ardor  of  his 
usual  occupation  ;  "  if  they  come  within  range  of  a  bullet  I 
will  drop  one,  though  the  whole  Six  Nations  should  be  lurk- 
ing within  sound  !  What  do  you  hear,  Chingachgook  ?  for  to 
my  ears  the  woods  are  dumb." 

"  There  is  but  one  deer,  and  he  is  dead,"  said  the  Indian, 
bending  his  body  till  his  ear  nearly  touched  the  earth.  "  I 
hear  the  sounds  of  feet !  " 

"  Perhaps  the  wolves  have  driven  the  buck  to  shelter,  and 
are  following  on  his  trail." 

"  No.  The  horses  of  white  men  are  coming  !  "  returned 
the  other,  raising  himself  with  dignity,  and  resuming  his  seat 
on  the  log  with  his  former  composure.  "  Hawk-eye,  they  are 
your  brothers  ;  speak  to  them." 

"  That  will  I,  and  in  English  that  the  king  needn't  be 
ashamed  to  answer,"  returned  the  hunter,  speaking  in  the 
language  of  which  he  boasted  ;  "  but  I  see  nothing,  nor  do  I 
hear  the  sounds  of  man  or  beast ;  'tis  strange  that  an  Indian 
should  understand  white  sounds  better  than  a  man  who,  his 
very  enemies  will  own,  has  no  cross  in  his  blood,  although  he 
may  have  lived  with  the  red  skins  long  enough  to  be  sus- 
pected !  Ha  !  there  goes  something  like  the  crackling  of  a  dry 
stick,  too — now  I  hear  the  bushes  move — yes,  yes,  there  is 
a  trampling  that  I  mistook  for  the  falls — and — but  here  they 
come  themselves  ;  God  keep  them  from  the  Iroquois  I " 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Well,  go  thy  way  ;  thou  shalt  not  from  this  grove 
./  Till  I  torment  thee  for  this  injury. 

MIDSUMMER  NIGHT'S  DREAM, 

THE  words  were  still  in  the  mouth  of  the  scout,  when  the 
leader  of  the  party,  whose  approaching  footsteps  had  caught 
the  vigilant  ear  of  the  Indian,  came  openly  into  view.  A 
beaten  path,  such  as  those  made  by  the  periodical  passage 
of  the  deer,  wound  through  a  little  glen  at  no  great  distance, 
and  struck  the  river  at  the  point  where  the  white  man  and 
his  red  companions  had  posted  themselves.  Along  this  track 
the  travellers,  who  had  produced  a  surprise  so  unusual  i»  *he 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  33 

depths  of  the  forest,  advanced  slowly  towards  the  hunter,  who 
was  in  front  of  his  associates,  in  readiness  to  receive  them. 

"  Who  comes  ? "  demanded  the  scout,  throwing  his  rifle 
carelessly  across  his  left  arm,  and  keeping  the  fore-finger  of 
his  right  hand  on  the  trigger,  though  he  avoided  all  appearance 
of  menace  in  the  act — "Who  come  hither,  among  the 
beasts  and  dangers  of  the  wilderness  ?  " 

"  Believers  in  religion,  and  friends  to  the  law  and  to  the 
king,"  returned  he  who  rode  foremost.  "Men  who  have 
journeyed  since  the  rising  sun,  in  the  shades  of  this  forest, 
without  nourishment,  and  are  sadly  tired  of  their  wayfaring." 

"You  are,  then,  lost,"  interrupted  the  hunter,  "and  have 
found  how  helpless  'tis  not  to  know  whether  to  take  the  right 
hand  or  the  left  ?  " 

"  Even  so  ;  sucking  babes  are  not  more  dependent  on 
those  who  guide  them  than  we  who  are  of  larger  growth,  and 
who  may  now  be  said  to  possess  the  stature  without  the 
knowledge  of  men.  Know  you  the  distance  to  a  post  of  the 
crown  called  William  Henry  ?  " 

"  Hoot !  "  shouted  the  scout,  who  did  not  spare  his  open 
laughter,  though,  instantly  checking  the  dangerous  sounds, 
he  indulged  his  merriment  at  less  risk  of  being  overheard  by 
any  lurking  enemies.  "  You  are  as  much  off  the  scent  as 
a  hound  would  be  with  Horican  atwixt  him  and  the  deer  ! 
William  Henry,  man  !  if  you  are  friends  to  the  king,  and  have 
business  with  the  army,  your  better  way  would  be  to  follow 
the  river  down  to  Edward,  and  lay  the  matter  before  Webb, 
who  tarries  there,  instead  of  pushing  into  the  defiles,  and 
driving  this  saucy  Frenchman  back  across  Champlain,  into 
his  den  again." 

Before  the  stranger  could  make  any  reply  to  this  unex- 
pected proposition,  another  horseman  dashed  the  bushes  aside, 
and  leaped  his  charger  into  the  pathway,  in  front  of  his  com- 
panion. 

"  What  then  may  be  our  distance  from  Fort  Edward  ? " 
demanded  the  new  speaker;  "  the  place  you  advise  us  to  seek 
we  left  this  morning,  and  our  destination  is  the  head  of  the 
lake." 

"  Then  you  must  have  lost  your  eyesight  afore  losing  your 
way,  for  the  road  across  the  portage  is  cut  to  a  good  two  rods, 
and  is  as  grand  a  path,  I  calculate,  as  any  that  runs  into 
London,  or  even  before  the  palace  of  the  king  himself/' 

"We  w;.ll  not  dispute  concerning  the  excellence  of  the 
passage,"  returned  Hevward,  smiling ;  for,  as  the  reader  has 


34  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

anticipated,  it  was  he.  "  It  is  enough,  for  the  present,  that 
we  trusted  to  an  Indian  guide  to  take  us  by  a  nearer  though 
blinder  path,  and  that  we  are  deceived  in  his  knowledge.  In 
plain  words,  we  know  not  where  we  are." 

"  An  Indian  lost  in  the  woods  !  "  said  the  scout,  shaking 
his  head  doubtingly  ;  "when  the  sun  is  scorching  the  tree 
tops,  and  the  water  courses  are  full ;  when  the  moss  on  ever) 
beech  he  sees,  will  tell  him  in  which  quarter  the  north  stai 
will  shine  at  night !  The  woods  are  full  of  deer-paths  which 
run  to  the  streams  and  licks, — places  well  known  to  every- 
body ;  nor  have  the  geese  done  their  flight  to  the  Canada 
waters  altogether  !  'Tis  strange  that  an  Indian  should  be 
lost  atwixt  Horican  and  the  bend  in  the  river  !  Is  he  a  Mo- 
hawk.?" 

"  Not  by  birth,  though  adopted  in  that  tribe  j  I  think  his 
birthplace  was  further  north,  and  he  is  one  of  those  you  call 
a  Huron." 

"  Hugh  !  "  exclaimed  the  two  companions  of  the  scout, 
who  had  continued  until  this  part  of  the  dialogue,  seated  im- 
movable, and  apparently  indifferent  to  what  passed,  but  who 
now  sprang  to  their  feet  with  an  activity  and  interest  that 
had  evidently  got  the  better  of  their  reserve,  by  surprise. 

"  A  Huron  !  "  repeated  the  sturdy  scout,  once  more  shak- 
ing his  head  in  open  distrust ;  "  they  are  a  thievish  race,  nor 
do  I  care  by  whom  they  are  adopted  ;  you  can  never  make 
anything  of  them  but  skulks  and  vagabonds.  Since  you 
trusted  yourself  to  the  care  of  one  of  that  nation,  I  only 
wonder  that  you  have  not  fallen  in  with  more." 

"  Of  that  there  is  little  danger,  since  William  Henry  is  so 
many  miles  in  our  front.  You  forget  that  I  have  told  you 
our  guide  is  now  a  Mohawk,  and  that  he  serves  with  our  forces 
ts  a  friend." 

"  And  I  tell  you  that  he  who  is  born  a  Mingo  will  die  a 
Mingo,"  returned  the  other,  positively.  "  A  Mohawk  !  No, 
give  me  a  Delaware  or  a  Mohican  for  honesty ;  and  when 
they  will  fight,  which  they  won't  all  do,  having  suffered  their 
cunning  enemies,  the  Maquas,  to  make  them  women — but 
when  they  will  fight  at  all,  look  to  a  Delaware,  or  a  Mohican, 
for  a  warrior !  " 

"  Enough  of  this,"  said  Heyward,  impatiently  ;  "  I  wish 
not  to  inquire  into  the  character  of  a  man  that  I  know,  and  to 
whom  you  must  be  a  stranger.  You  have  not  yet  answered 
my  question ;  what  is  our  distance  from  the  main  army  a/ 
Edward?" 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  35 

"  It  seems  that  may  depend  on  who  is  your  guide.  One 
would  think  such  a  horse  as  that  might  get  over  a  good  deal 
of  ground  atwixt  sun-up  and  sun-down." 

"  I  wish  no  contention  of  idle  words  tvith  you,  friend," 
said  Heyward,  curbing  his  dissatisfied  manner,  and  speaking 
in  a  more  gentle  voice  ;  "  if  you  will  tell  me  the  distance  to 
Fort  Edward,  and  conduct  me  thither,  your  labor  shall  not  go 
without  its  reward." 

"  And  in  so  doing,  how  know  I  that  I  don't  guide  an  enemy 
and  a  spy  of  Montcalm,  to  the  works  of  the  army  ?  It  is 
not  every  man  who  can  speak  the  English  tongue  that  is  an 
honest  subject." 

"  If  you  serve  with  the  troops,  of  whom  I  judge  you  to  be 
a  scout,  you  should  know  of  such  a  regiment  of  the  king  as 
the  6oth." 

"  The  6oth  !  you  can  tell  me  little  of  the  Royal  Americans 
that  I  don't  know,  though  I  do  wear  a  hunting-shirt  instead 
of  a  scarlet  jacket." 

"  Well,  then,  among  other  things,  you  may  know  the  name 
of  its  major  ?  " 

'•  Its  major  !  "  interrupted  the  hunter,  elevating  his  body 
like  one  who  was  proud  of  its  trust.  "  If  there  is  a  man  in  the 
country  who  knows  Major  Effingham,  he  stands  before  you." 

"  It  is  a  corps  which  has  many  majors  ;  the  gentleman  you 
name  is  the  scenior,  but  I  speak  of  the  junior  of  them  all;  he 
who  commands  the  companies  in  garrison  at  William  Henry." 

"  Yes,  yes,  I  have  heard  that  a  young  gentleman  of  vast 
riches,  from  one  of  the  provinces  far  south,  has  got  the  place. 
He  is  over  young,  too,  to  hold  such  rank,  and  to  be  put  above 
men  whose  heads  are  beginning  to  bleach  ;  and  yet  they  say 
he  is  a  soldier  in  his  knowledge,  and  a  gallant  gentleman  ! " 

"Whatever  he  may  be,  or  however  he  may  be  qualified  for 
his  rank,  he  now  speaks  to  you,  and  of  course  can  be  no  enemy 
to  dread." 

The  scout  regarded  Heyward  in  surprise,  and  then  lifting 
his  cap,  he  answered,  in  a  tone  less  confident  than  before— 
though  still  expressing  doubt — 

"  I  have  heard  a  party  was  to  leave  the  encampment  this 
morning,  for  the  lake  shore  ?  " 

"  You  have  heard  the  truth  ;  but  I  preferred  a  nearer  route, 
trusting  to  the  knowledge  of  the  Indian  I  mentioned." 

"  And  he  deceived  you,  and  then  deserted  ?  " 

"  Neither,  as  I  believe  ;  certainly  not  the  latter,  for  he  is 
to  be  found  in  the  rear." 


j6  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

*  I  should  like  to  look  at  the  creatur* ;  if  it  is  a  truft 
Iroquois  I  can  tell  him  by  his  knavish  look,  and  by  his 
paint,"  said  the  scout,  stepping  past  the  charger  of  Heyward, 
and  entering  the  path  behind  the  mare  of  the  singing  master, 
whose  foal  had  taken  advantage  of  the  halt  to  exact  the  ma- 
ternal contribution.  After  shoving  aside  the  bushes,  and  pro- 
ceeding a  few  paces,  he  encountered  the  females,  who  awaited 
the  result  of  the  conference  with  anxiety,  and  not  entirely  with- 
out apprehension.  Behind  these,  the  runner  leaned  against  a 
tree,  where  he  stood  the  close  examination  of  the  scout  with 
an  air  unmoved,  though  with  a  look  so  dark  and  savage,  that 
it  might  in  itself  excite  fear.  Satisfied  with  his  scrutiny, 
the  hunter  soon  left  him.  As  he  repassed  the  females,  he 
paused  a  moment  to  gaze  upon  their  beauty,  answering  to  the 
.smile  and  nod  of  Alice  with  a  look  of  open  pleasure.  Thence 
lie  went  to  the  side  of  the  motherly  animal,  and  spending  a 
minute  in  a  fruitless  inquiry  into  the  character  of  her  rider,  he 
shook  his  head  and  returned  to  Heyward. 

"A  Mingo  is  a  Mingo,  and  God  having  made  him  so,  nei- 
ther the  Mohawks  nor  any  other  tribe  can  alter  him,"  he  said, 
when  he  had  regained  his  former  position.  "  If  we  were  alone, 
and  you  would  leave  that  noble  horse  at  the  mercy  of  the 
wolves  to-night,  I  could  show  you  the  way  to  Edward,  myself, 
within  an  hour,  for  it  lies  only  about  an  hour's  journey  hence  ; 
but  with  such  ladies  in  your  company  'tis  impossible  ! " 

"  And  why  ?  they  are  fatigued,  but  they  are  quite  equal  to 
a  ride  of  a  few  more  miles." 

"  'Tis  a  natural  impossibility !  "  repeated  the  scout ;  "  I 
wouldn't  walk  a  mile  in  these  woods  after  night  gets  into 
them,  in  company  with  that  runner,  for  the  best  rifle  in  the 
colonies.  They  are  full  of  outlying  Iroquois,  and  your  mon- 
grel Mohawk  knows  where  to  find  them  too  well,  to  be  my 
companion." 

"Think  you  so?"  said  Heyward,  leaning  forward  in  the 
saddle,  and  dropping  his  voice  nearly  t'  a  whisper ;  "  I  con» 
fess  I  have  not  been  without  my  owr  suspicions,  though  I 
have  endeavored  to  conceal  them,  and  iffected  a  confidence  I 
have  not  always  felt,  on  account  of  m  /  companions.  It  was 
because  I  suspected  him  that  I  would  follow  no  longer ;  mak- 
ing him,  as  you  see,  follow  me." 

"  I  knew  he  was  one  of  the  cheats  as  soon  as  I  laid  eyes 
on  him  !  "  returned  the  scout,  placing  a  finger  on  his  nose,  in 
sign  of  caution.  "  The  thief  is  leaning  against  the  foot  oi 
the  sugar  sapling,  that  you  can  see  over  them  bu^««;  his 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  37 

right  leg  is  in  a  line  with  the  bark  of  the  tree,  and,"  tapping  his 
rifle,  "  I  can  take  him  from  where  I  stand,  between  the  ankle 
and  the  knee,  with  a  single  shot,  putting  an  end  to  his  tramp- 
ing through  the  woods,  for  at  least  a  month  to  come.  If  I 
-hould  go  back  to  him,  the  cunning  varmint  would  suspect 
-omething,  and  be  dodging  through  the  trees  like  a  frightened 
deer." 

"  It  will  not  -do.  He  may  be  innocent,  and  I  dislike  the 
act  Though  if  I  felt  confident  of  his  treachery — " 

"  Tis  a  safe  thing  to  calculate  on  the  knavery  of  an  Iro- 
quois,"  said  the  scout,  throwing  his  rifle  forward,  by  a  sort  of 
instinctive  movement. 

"  Hold  !  "  interrupted  Hey  ward,  "  it  will  not  do  —  we 
must  think  of  some  other  scheme  ; — and  yet,  I  have  much 
reason  to  believe  the  rascal  has  deceived  me." 

The  hunter,  who  had  already  abandoned  his  intention  of 
maiming  the  runner,  mused  a  moment  and  then  made  a  ges 
ture,  which  instantly  brought  his  two  red  companions  to  his 
side.  They  spoke  together  earnestly  in  the  Delaware  lan- 
guage, though  in  an  undertone ;  and  by  the  gestures  of  the 
white  man,  which  were  frequently  directed  towards  the  top 
of  the  sapling,  it  was  evident  he  pointed  out  the  situation  of 
their  hidden  enemy.  His  companions  were  not  long  in  com- 
prehending his  wishes,  and  laying  aside  their  fire-arms,  they 
parted,  taking  opposite  sides  of  the  path,  and  burying  them- 
selves in  the  thicket,  with  such  cautious  movements,  that  their 
steps  were  inaudible. 

"  Now,  go  you  back,"  said  the  hunter,  speaking  again  to 
Heyward,  "  and  hold  the  imp  in  talk  ;  these  Mohicans  here 
will  take  him  without  breaking  his  paint." 

"  Nay,"  said  Heyward  proudly,  "  I  will  seize  him  myself." 

"  Hist !  what  could  you  do  mounted,  against  an  Indian 
in  the  bushes  ?  " 

"  I  will  dismount." 

"  And,  think  you,  when  he  saw  one  of  your  feet  cut  of  the 
stirrup,  he  would  wait  for  the  other  to  be  free  ?  Whoever 
comes  into  the  woods  to  deal  with  the  natives,  must  use  In 
dian  fashions,  if  he  would  wish  to  prosper  in  his  undertakings. 
Go,  then  ;  talk  openly  to  the  miscreant,  and  seem  to  believe 
him  the  truest  friend  you  have  on  'arth." 

Heyward  prepared  to  comply,  though  with  strong  disgust 
at  the  nature  of  the  office  he  was  compelled  to  execute.  Each 
moment,  however,  pressed  upon  him  a  conviction  of  the  criti- 
cal situation  in  which  he  had  suffered  his  invaluable  trust  to 


3g  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

be  involved  through  his  own  confidence.  The  sun  had  already 
disappeared,  and  the  woods,  suddenly  deprived  of  his  light,* 
were  assuming  a  dusky  hue,  which  keenly  reminded  him  that 
the  hour  the  savage  usually  chose  for  his  most  barbarous  and 
remorseless  acts  of  vengeance  or  hostility,  was  speedily  draw- 
ing near.  Stimulated  by  apprehension,  he  left  the  scout,  who 
immediately  entered  into  a  loud  conversation  with  the  stran 
ger  that  had  so  unceremoniously  enlisted  himself  in  the  part) 
s>f  travellers  that  morning.  In  passing  his  gentler  companions 
Heyward  uttered  a  few  words  of  encouragement,  and  was 
pleased  to  find,  that,  though  fatigued  with  the  exercise  of  the 
day,  they  appeared  to  entertain  no  suspicion  that  their  present 
embarrassment  was  other  than  the  result  of  accident.  Giving 
them  reason  to  believe  he  was  merely  employed  in  a  consulta- 
tion concerning  the  future  route,  he  spurred  his  charger,  and 
drew  the  reins  again,  when  the  animal  had  carried  him  with- 
in a  few  yards  of  the  place  where  the  sullen  runner  still  stood, 
leaning  against  a  tree. 

"  You  may  see,  Magua,"  he  said,  endeavoring  to  assume 
an  air  of  freedom  and  confidence,  "  that  the  night  is  closing 
around  us,  and  yet  we  are  no  nearer  to  William  Henry  than 
when  we  left  the  encampment  of  Webb  with  the  rising  sun. 
You  have  missed  the  way,  nor  have  I  been  more  fortunate, 
But,  happily,  we  have  fallen  in  with  a  hunter,  he  whom  you 
hear  talking  to  the  singer,  that  is  acquainted  with  the  deer- 
paths  and  by-ways  of  the  woods,  and  who  promises  to  lead  us 
to  a  place  where  we  may  rest  securely  till  morning." 

The  Indian  riveted  his  glowing  eyes  on  Heywatxi  as  he 
asked,  in  his  imperfect  English,  "  Is  he  alone  ?  " 

"  Alone  !  "  hesitatingly  answered  Heyward,  to  whom  de- 
ception was  too  new  to  be  assumed  without  embarrassment. 
"  Oh !  not  alone,  surely,  Magua,  for  you  know  that  we  are 
with  him." 

"  Then  le  Renard  Subtil  will  go,"  returned  the  runner, 
coolly  raising  his  little  wallet  from  the  place  where  it  had  lain 
at  his  feet ;  "  and  the  pale  faces  will  see  none  but  their  own 
color." 

"  Go  !     Whom  call  you  le  Renard  ?  " 

"  'Tis  the  name  his  Canada  fathers  have  given  to  Magua,'5 
returned  the  runner,  with  an  air  that  manifested  his  pride  at 
the  distinction.  Night  is  the  same  as  day  to  le  Subtil,  when 
Munro  waits  for  him." 

*  The  scene  of  this  tale  was  in  the  4^d  degree  of  latitude,  where  the  twilight  is 
never  of  long  continuance. 


THE  LAST  OF  7W£  MOHICANS. 


39 


"  And  what  account  will  le  Renard  give  the  chief  of  William 
Henry  concerning  his  daughters  ?  Will  he  dare  to  tell  thfe 
hot-blooded  Scotsman  that  his  children  are  left  without  a 
guide,  though  Magua  promised  to  be  one  ?  " 

"  Though  the  gray  head  has  a  loud  voice,  and  a  long  arm 
le  Renard  will  not  hear  him,  nor  feel  him,  in  the  woods." 

"  But  what  will  the  Mohawks  say  ?  They  will  make  him 
petticoats,  and  bid  him  stay  in  the  wigwam  with  the  women, 
for  he  is  no  longer  to  be  trusted  with  the  business  of  a 
man." 

"  Le  Subtil  knows  the  path  to  the  great  lakes,  and  he  can 
find  the  bones  of  his  fathers,"  was  the  answer  of  the  unmoved 
runner. 

"  Enough,  Magua,"  said  Heyward  ;  "  are  we  not  friends  ? 
Why  should  there  be  bitter  words  between  us  ?  Munro  has 
promised  you  a  gift  for  your  services  when  performed,  and  I 
shall  be  your  debtor  for  another.  Rest  your  weary  limbs,  then, 
and  open  your  wallet  to  eat.  We  have  a  few  moments  to 
spare ;  let  us  not  waste  them  in  talk  like  wrangling  women. 
When  the  ladies  are  refreshed  we  will  proceed." 

"  The  pale  faces  make  themselves  dogs  to  their  women, 
muttered  the  Indian,  in  his  native  language,  "  and  when  they 
want  to  eat,  their  warriors  must  lay  aside  the  tomahawk  to 
feed  their  laziness." 

"  What  say  you,  Renard  ?  " 

"  Le  Subtil  says  it  is  good." 

The  Indian  then  fastened  his  eyes  keenly  on  the  open 
countenance  of  Heyward,  but  meeting  his  glance,  he  turned 
them  quickly  away,  and  seating  himself  deliberately  on  the 
ground,  he  drew  forth  the  remnant  of  some  former  repast, 
and  began  to  eat,  though  not  without  first  bending  his  looks 
slowly  and  cautiously  around  him. 

"This  is  well,"  continued  Heyward  ;  "and  le  Renard  wilj 
nave  strength  and  sight  to  find  the  path  in  the  morning ;  " — 
he  paused,  for  sounds  like  the  snapping  of  a  dried  stick,  and 
the  rustling  of  leaves,  rose  from  the  adjacent  bushes,  but  rec- 
ollecting himself  instantly,  he  continued — "  we  must  be  mov- 
ing before  the  sun  is  seen,  or  Montcalm  may  lie  in  our  path, 
and  shut  us  out  from  the  fortress." 

The- hand  of  Magua  dropped  from  his  mouth  to  his  side, 
and  though  his  eyes  were  fastened  on  the  ground,  his  head 
was  turned  aside,  his  nostrils  expanded,  and  his  ears  seemed 
even  to  stand  more  erect  than  usual,  giving  to  him  the 


40  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

appearance  of  a  statue  that  was  made  to  represent  intense 
attention. 

Heyward,  who  watched  his  movements  with  a  vigilant  eye, 
carelessly  extricated  one  of  his  feet  from  the  stirrup,  while  he 
passed  a  hand  towards  the  bear-skin  covering  of  his  holsters. 
Every  effort  to  detect  the  point  most  regarded  by  the  runner^ 
was  completely  frustrated  by  the  tremulous  glances  of  his 
organs,  which  seemed  not  to  rest  a  single  instant  on  any  par- 
ticular object,  and  which,  at  the  same  time,  could  be  hardly 
said  to  move.  While  he  hesitated  how  to  proceed,  le  Subtil 
cautiously  raised  himself  to  his  feet,  though  with  a  motion  so 
slow  and  guarded,  that  not  the  slightest  noise  was  produced 
by  the  change.  Heywarcl  felt  it  had  now  become  incumbent 
on  him  to  act.  Throwing  his  leg  over  the  saddle,  he  dis- 
mounted, with  a  determination  to  advance  and  seize  his 
treacherous  companion,  trusting  the  results  to  his  own  man- 
hood. In  order,  however,  to  prevent  unnecessary  alarm,  he 
still  preserved  an  air  of  calmness  and  friendship. 

"  Le  Renard  Subtil  does  not  eat,"  he  said,  using  the  appel- 
lation he  had  found  most  flattering  to  the  vanity  of  the  Indian. 
"  His  corn  is  not  well  parched,  and  it  seems  dry.  Let  me 
examine ;  perhaps  something  may  be  found  among  my  own 
provisions  that  will  help  his  appetite." 

Magua  held  out  the  wallet  to  the  proffer  of  the  other.  He 
even  suffered  their  hands  to  meet,  without  betraying  the  least 
emotion,  or  varying  his  riveted  attitude  of  attention.  But 
when  he  felt  the  fingers  of  Heyward  moving  gently  along  his 
own  naked  arm,  he  struck  up  the  limb  of  the  young  man,  arid 
uttering  a  piercing  cry  as  he  darted  beneath  it,  plunged,  at  a 
single  bound,  into  the  opposite  thicket.  At  the  next  instant 
the  form  of  Chingachgook  appeared  from  the  bushes,  looking 
like  a  spectre  in  his  paint,  and  glided  across  the  path  in  swift 
pursuit.  Next  followed  the  shout  of  Uncas,  when  the  woods 
were  lighted  by  a  sudden  flash,  that  was  accompanied  by  thf 
sharp  report  of  the  hunter's  rifle. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


CHAPTER  V. 

"  In  such  a  night 

Did  Thisbe  fearfully  o'ertrip  the  dew ; 
And  saw  the  lion's  shadow  ere  himself." 

MERCHANT  OF  VENICE. 

f  H£  suddenness  &  Sfte  ^i^ht  &  bis  gaide,  and  the  wild 
tries  of  the  pursuers,  caused  Heyward  to  remain  fixed,  for  4 
few  moments,  in  inactive  surprise.  Then  recollecting  the 
importance  of  securing  the  fugitive,  he  dashed  aside  the  sur- 
rounding bushes,  and  pressed  eagerly  forward  to  lend  his  aid 
in  the  chase.  Before  he  had,  however,  proceeded  a  hundred 
yards,  he  met  the  three  foresters  already  returning  from  their 
unsuccessful  pursuit. 

"  Why  so  soon  disheartened  !  "  he  exclaimed,  "  the  scoun- 
drel must  be  concealed  behind  some  of  these  trees,  and  may 
yet  be  secured.  We  are  not  safe  while  he  goes  at  large." 

"  Would  you  set  a  cloud  to  chase  the  wind  ?  "  returned  the 
disappointed  scout ;  "  I  heard  the  imp,  brushing  over  the  dry 
leaves,  like  a  black  snake,  and  blinking  a  glimpse  of  him,  just 
over  ag'in  yon  big  pine,  I  pulled  as  it  might  be  on  the  scent ; 
but  'twouldn't  do !  and  yet  for  a  reasoning  aim,  if  anybody 
but  myself  had  touched  the  trigger,  I  should  call  it  a  quick 
sight ;  and  I  may  be  accounted  to  have  experience  in  these 
matters,  and  one  who  ought  to  know.  Look  at  this  sumach ; 
its  leaves  are  red,  though  everybody  knows  the  fruit  is  in  the 
yellow  blossom,  in  the  month  of  July !  " 

"  'Tis  the  blood  of  le  Subtil  !  he  is  hurt,  and  may  yet 
fall!" 

"  No,  no,"  returned  the  scout,  in  decided  disapprobation 
of  this  opinion,  "  I  rubbed  the  bark  off  a  limb,  perhaps,  but 
the  creature  leaped  the  longer  for  it.  A  rifle  bullet  acts  on 
a  running  animal,  when  it  barks  him,  much  the  same  as  one 
of  your  spurs  on  a  horse,  that  is,  it  quickens  motion,  and  puts 
life  into  the  flesh,  instead  of  taking  it  away.  But  when  it  cuts 
the  ragged  hole,  after  a  bound  or  two,  there  is,  commonly,  a 
stagnation  of  further  leaping,  be  it  Indian  or  be  it  deer  ! " 

"We  are  four  able  bodies,  to  one  wounded  man  ! " 

"  Is  life  grievous  to  you  ?  "  interrupted  the  scout.  "  Yon- 
der red  devil  would  draw  you  within  swing  of  the  tomahawks 
of  his  comrades,  before  you  were  heated  in  the  chase.  It  was 


dU  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

an  unthoughtful  act  in  a  man  who  has  so  often  slept  with  Int 
war-whoop  ringing  in  the  air,  to  let  off  his  piece  within  sound 
of  an  ambushment !  But  then  it  was  a  natural  temptation ! 
'twas  very  natural !  Come,  friends,  let  us  move  our  station, 
and  in  such  a  fashion,  too,  as  will  throw  the  cunning  of  a 
Mingo  on  a  wrong  scent,  or  our  scalps  will  be  drying  in  the 
wind  in  front  of  Montcalm's  marquee,  ag'in  this  hour  to< 
morrow." 

This  appalling  declaration,  which  the  scout  uttered  with 
the  cool  assurance  of  a  man  who  fully  comprehended,  while 
he  did  not  fear  to  face  the  danger,  served  to  remind  Heyward 
of  the  importance  of  the  charge  with  which  he  himself  had 
been  intrusted.  Glancing  his  eyes  around,  with  a  vain  effort 
to  pierce  the  gloom  that  was  thickening  beneath  the  leafy 
arches  of  the  forest,  he  felt  as  if,  cut  off  from  human  aid,  his 
unresisting  companions  would  soon  lie  at  the  entire  mercy  of 
those  barbarous  enemies,  who,  like  beasts  of  prey,  only  waited 
till  the  gathering  darkness  might  render  their  blows  more 
fatally  certain.  His  awakened  imagination,  deluded  by  the 
deceptive  light,  converted  each  waving  bush,  or  the  fragment 
of  some  fallen  tree,  into  human  forms,  and  twenty  times  he 
fancied  he  could  distinguish  the  horrid  visages  of  his  lurking 
foes,  peering  from  their  hiding  places,  in  never  ceasing  watch- 
fulness of  the  movements  of  his  party.  Looking  upward}Xhe 
found  that  the  tiny  fleecy  clouds,  which  evening  had  painted 
on  the  blue  sky,  were  already  losing  their  faintest  tints  of 
rose-color,  while  the  imbedded  stream,  which  glided  past  the 
spot  where  he  stood,  was  to  be  traced  only  by  the  dark  bound- 
ary of  its  wooded  banks. 

"  What  is  to  be  done  ?  "  he  said,  feeling  the  utter  helpless- 
ness of  doubt  in  such  a  pressing  strait ;  "desert  me  not,  for 
God's  sake  !  remain  to  defend  those  I  escort,  and  freely  name 
your  own  reward  !  " 

His  companions,  who  conversed  apart  in  the  language  of 
their  tribe,  heeded  not  this  sudden  and  earnest  appeal. 
Though  their  dialogue  was  maintained  in  low  and  cautious 
sounds,  but  little  above  a  whisper,  Heyward,  who  now  ap- 
proached, could  easily  distinguish  the  earnest  tones  of  the 
younger  warrior  from  the  more  deliberate  speeches  of  his 
seniors.  It  was  evident,  that  they  debated  on  the  propriety 
of  some  measure,  that  nearly  concerned  the  welfare  of  the 
travellers.  Yielding  to  his  powerful  interest  in  the  subject, 
and  impatient  of  a  delay  that  seemed  fraught  with  so  much 
additional  danger,  Heyward  drew  still  nigher  to  the  dusky 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  43 

group>  with  an  intention  of  making  his  offers  of  compensation 
more  definite,  when  the  white  man,  motioning  with  his  hand, 
as  if  he  conceded  the  disputed  point,  turned  away,  saying  in 
a  sort  of  soliloquy,  and  in  the  English  tongue : — 

"  Uncas  is  right !  it  would  not  be  the  act  of  men  to  leave 
such  harmless  things  to  their  fate,  even  though  it  breaks  up 
the  harboring  place  forever.  If  you  would  save  these  tendei 
blossoms  from  the  fangs  of  the  worst  of  sarpents,  gentleman, 
you  have  neither  time  to  lose  nor  resolution  to  throw  away !" 

"  How  can  such  a  wish  be  doubted  !  have  I  not  already 
offered—" 

"  Offer  your  prayers  to  Him,  who  can  give  us  wisdom  to 
circumvent  the  cunning  of  the  devils  who  fill  these  woods," 
calmly  interrupted  the  scout,  "but  spare  your  offers  of 
money,  which  neither  you  may  live  to  realize,  nor  I  to  profit 
by.  These  Mohicans  and  I  will  do  what  man's  thoughts  can 
invent,  to  keep  such  flowers,  which,  though  so  sweet,  were 
never  made  for  the  wilderness,  from  harm,  and  that  without 
hope  of  any  other  recompense  but  such  as  God  always  gives 
to  upright  dealings.  First,  you  must  promise  two  things, 
both  in  your  own  name  and  for  your  friends,  or  without  serv 
ing  you,  we  shall  only  injure  ourselves!" 

"  Name  them." 

"  The  one  is,  to  be  still  as  these  sleeping  woods,  let  what 
will  happen  ;  and  the  other  is,  to  keep  the  place  where  we 
shall  take  you  forever  a  secret  from  all  mortal  men." 

"  I  will  do  my  utmost  to  see  both  these  conditions  ful- 
filled." 

"  Then  follow,  for  we  are  losing  moments  that  are  as 
precious  as  the  heart's  blood  to  a  stricken  deer." 

Heyward  could  distinguish  the  impatient  gesture  of  the 
scout,  through  the  increasing  shadows  of  the  evening,  and  he 
moved  in  his  footsteps,  swiftly,  towards  the  place  where  he 
had  left  the  remainder  of  his  party.  When  they  rejoined  the 
expecting  and  anxious  females,  he  briefly  acquainted  them 
with  the  conditions  of  their  new  guide,  and  with  the  necessity 
that  existed  for  their  hushing  every  apprehension,  in  instant 
and  serious  exertion.  Although  his  alarming  communication 
was  not  received  without  much  secret  terror  by  the  listeners, 
his  earnest  and  impressive  manner,  aided  perhaps  by  the 
nature  of  the  danger,  succeeded  in  bracing  their  nerves  to 
undergo  some  unlooked-for  and  unusual  trial.  Silently,  ano 
without  a  moment's  delay,  they  permitted  him  to  assist  them 
from  their  saddles,  when  they  descended  quick*  /  to  the  water's 


*A  THE  LAST  Of  THE  MOHICANS. 

T^ 

edge  where  the  scout  had  collected  the  rest  of  the  party, 
more  by  the  agency  of  expressive  gestures  than  by  any  use  of 
words. 

"  What  to  do  with  these  dumb  creatures  ! "  uttered  tha 
white  man,  on  whom  the  sole  control  of  their  future  move- 
ments appeared  to  devolve  ;  "  it  woOd  be  time  lost  to  cut 
their  throats,  and  cast  them  into  the  river ;  and  to  leave  them 
here,  would  be  to  tell  the  Mingoes  that  they  have  not  far  to 
seek  to  find  their  owners  !  " 

"  Then  give  them  their  bridles,  and  let  them  range  the 
woods,"  Heyvvard  ventured  to  suggest. 

"  No  ;  it  would  be  better  to  mislead  the  imps,  and  make 
them  believe  they  must  equal  a  horse's  speed  to  run  down 
their  chase.  Aye,  aye,  that  will  blind  their  fire-balls  of  eyes  I 
Chingach — Hist !  what  stirs  the  bush  ? " 

"  The  colt." 

"  That  colt,  at  least,  must  die,"  muttered  the  scout,  grasp- 
ing at  the  mane  of  the  nimble  beast,  which  easily  eluded  his 
hand  ;  "  Uncas,  your  arrows  !  " 

"  Hold  !  "  exclaimed  the  proprietor  of  the  condemned 
animal  aloud,  without  regard  to  the  whispering  tones  used  by 
the  others ;  "  spare  the  foal  of  Miriam  !  it  is  the  comely  off- 
spring of  a  faithful  dam,  and  would  willingly  injure  naught !  "- 

"  When  men  struggle  for  the  single  life  God  has  given 
them,"  said  the  scout  sternly,  "  even  their  own  kind  seem  no 
more  than  the  beasts  of  the  wood.  If  you  speak  again,  I 
shall  leave  you  to  the  mercy  of  the  Maquas  !  Draw  to  youi 
arrow's  head,  Uncas  ;  we  have  no  time  for  second  blows." 

The  low,  muttering  sounds  of  his  threatening  voice  were 
still  audible,  when  the  wounded  foal,  first  rearing  on  its 
hinder  legs,  plunged  forward  to  its  knees.  It  was  met  by 
Chingachgook,  whose  knife  passed  across  its  throat  quicker 
than  thought,  and  then  precipitating  the  motions  of  the 
struggling  victim,  he  dashed  it  into  the  river,  down  whose 
stream  it  glided  away,  gasping  audibly  for  breath  with  its  ebb- 
ing life.  This  deed  of  apparent  cruelty,  but  of  real  necessity, 
fell  upon  the  spirits  of  the  travellers  like  a  terrific  warning  of 
the  peril  in  which  they  stood,  heightened  as  it  was  by  the 
calm  though  steady  resolution  of  the  actors  in  the  scene, 
The  sisters  shuddered  and  clung  closer  to  each  other,  while 
Heyward  instinctively  laid  his  hand  on  one  of  the  pistols  he 
had  just  drawn  from  their  holsters,  as  he  placed  himself  be- 
*ween  his  charge  and  those  dense  shadows  that  seemed  to 
draw  an  impenetrable  veil  before  the  bosom  of  the  forest. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


45 


The  Indians,  however,  hesitated  not  a  moment,  but  taking 
the  bridles,  they  led  the  frightened  and  reluctant  horses  into 
Ihe  bed  of  the  river. 

At  a  short  distance  from  the  shoie,  they  turned,  and  were 
soon' concealed  by  the  projection  of  the  bank,  under  the  brow 
of  which  they  moved,  in  a  direction  opposite  to  the  course  of 
the  waters.  In  the  mean  time,  the  scout  drew  a  canoe  of  bark 
from  its  place  of  concealment  beneath  some  low  bushes, 
whose  branches  were  waving  with  the  eddies  of  the  current 
into  which  he  silently  motioned  for  the  females  to  enter  They 
complied  without  hesitation,  though  many  a  fearful  and  anx 
ious  glance  was  thrown  behind  them,  towards  the  thickening 
gloom,  which  now  lay  like  a  dark  barrier  along  the  margin  oi 
the  stream. 

So  soon  as  Cora  and  Alice  were  seated,  the  scout,  without 
regarding  the  element,  directed  Heyward  to  support  one  side 
of  the  frail  vessel,  and  posting  himself  at  the  other,  they  bore 
it  up  against  the  stream,  followed  by  the  dejected  owner  of  the 
dead  foal.  In  this  manner  they  proceeded,  for  many  rods,  in 
a  silence  that  was  only  interrupted  by  the  rippling  of  the 
water,  as  its  eddies  played  around  them,  or  the  low  dash  made 
by  their  own  cautious  footsteps.  Heyward  yielded  the  guid- 
ance of  the  canoe  implicitly  to  the  scout,  who  approached  oi 
receded  from  the  shore,  to  avoid  the  fragments  of  rocks,  oi 
deeper  parts  of  the  river,  with  a  readiness  that  showed  his 
knowledge  of  the  route  they  held.  Occasionally  he  would 
stop ;  and  in  the  midst  of  a  breathing  stillness,  that  the  dull 
but  increasing  roar  of  the  waterfall  only  served  to  render 
more  impressive,  he  would  listen  with  painful  intenseness,  to 
catch  any  sounds  that  might  arise  from  the  slumbering  forest. 
When  assured  that  all  was  still,  and  unable  to  detect,  even  by 
the  aid  of  his  practised  senses,  any  sign  of  his  approaching 
foes,  he  would  deliberately  assume  his  slow  and  guarded  pro- 
gress. At  length  they  reached  a  point  in  the  river,  where  the 
roving  eye  of  Heyward  became  riveted  on  a  cluster  of  black 
objects,  collected  at  a  spot  where  the  high  bank  threw  a 
deeper  shadow  than  usual  on  the  dark  waters.  Hesitating  to 
advance,  he  pointed  out  the  place  to  the  attention  of  his  com- 
panion. 

"  Aye,"  returned  the  composed  scout,  "  the  Indians  have 
hid  the  beasts  with  the  judgment  of  natives  !  Water  leaves 
no  trail,  and  an  owl's  eye  would  be  blinded  by  the  darkness 
of  such  a  hole." 

The  whole  party  was  soon  reunited,  and  anothei  consult* 


^6  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS, 

tion  was  held  between  the  scout  and  his  new  comrades,  during 
which,  they,  whose  fates  depended  on  the  faith  and  ingenuity 
of  these  unknown  foresters,  had  a  little  leisure  to  observe 
their  situation  more  minutely. 

The  river  was  confined  between  high  and  cragged  rocks> 
one  of  which  impended  above  the  spot  where  the  canoe  rested, 
As  these,  again,  were  surmounted  by  tali  trees,  which  appeared 
to  totter  on  the  brows  of  the  precipice,  it  gave  the  stream  the 
appearance  of  running  through  a  deep  and  narrow  dell.  All 
beneath  the  fantastic  limbs  and  ragged  tree  tops,  which  were, 
here  and  there,  dimly  painted  against  the  starry  zenith,  lay 
alike  in  shadowed  obscurity.  Behind  them,  the  curvature  of 
the  banks  soon  bounded  the  view,  by  the  same  dark  and 
"wooded  outline ;  but  in  front,  and  apparently  at  no  great  dis- 
tance, the  water  seemed  piled  against  the  heavens,  whence  it 
tumbled  into  caverns,  out  of  which  issued  those  sullen  sounds 
that  had  loaded  the  evening  atmosphere.  It  seemed,  in  truth, 
to  be  a  spot  devoted  to  seclusion,  and  the  sisters  imbibed  a 
soothing  impression  of  security,  as  they  gazed  upon  its  roman- 
tic, though  not  unappalling  beauties.  A  general  movement 
among  their  conductors,  however,  soon  recalled  them  from  a 
contemplation  of  the  wild  charms  that  night  had  assisted  to 
end  the  place,  to  a  painful  sense  of  their  real  peril. 

The  horses  had  been  secured  to  some  scattering  shrubs 
that  grew  in  the  fissures  of  the  rocks,  where,  standing  in  the 
water,  they  were  left  to  pass  the  night.  The  scout  directed 
Heyward  and  his  disconsolate  fellow  travellers  to  seat  them- 
selves in  the  forward  end  of  the  canoe,  and  took  possession 
of  the  other  himself,  as  erect  and  steady  as  if  he  floated  in  a 
vessel  of  much  firmer  materials.  The  Indians  warily  retraced 
their  steps  towards  the  place  they  had  left,  when  the  scout, 
placing  his  pole  against  a  rock,  by  a  powerful  shove,  sent  his 
frail  bark  directly  into  the  centre  of  the  turbulent  stream. 
P'or  many  minutes  the  struggle  between  the  light  bubble  in 
which  they  floated,  and  the  swift  current  was  severe  and 
doubtful.  Forbidden  to  stir  even  a  hand,  and  almost  afraid 
to  breathe,  lest  they  should  expose  the  frail  fabric  to  the  fury 
of  the  stream,  the  passengers  watched  the  glancing  waters  in 
feverish  suspense.  Twenty  times  they  thought  the  whirling 
eddies  were  sweeping  them  to  destruction,  when  the  master- 
hand  of  their  pilot  would  bring  the  bows  of  the  canoe  to  stem 
the  rapid.  A  long,  a  vigorous,  and,  as  it  appeared  to  the 
females,  a  desperate  effort,  closed  the  struggle.  Just  as  Alice 
veiled  her  eyes  n  horror,  under  the  impression  that  they  were 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


47 


about  to  be  swept  within  the  vortex  at  the  foot  of  the  cata- 
ract, the  canoe  floated,  stationary,  at  the  side  of  a  flat  rock, 
that  lay  on  a  level  with  the  water. 

"  Where  are  we  ?  and  what  is  next  to  be  done  ? "  demand* 
ed  Heyward,  perceiving  that  the  exertions  of  the  scout  had 
ceased. 

"You  are  at  the  foot  of  Glenn's,"  returned  the  others 
speaking  aloud,  without  fear  of  consequences  within  the  roai 
of  the  cataract ;  "  and  the  next  thing  is  to  make  a  steady 
landing,  lest  the  canoe  upset,  and  you  should  go  down  again 
the  hard  road  we  have  travelled  faster  than  you  came  up ;  'tis 
a  hard  rift  to  stem,  when  the  river  is  a  little  swelled  ;  and  five 
is  an  unnatural  number  to  keep  dry,  in  a  hurry-skurry,  with  a 
little  birchen  bark  and  gum.  There,  go  you  all  on  the  rock, 
and  I  will  bring  up  the  Mohicans  with  the  venison.  A  man 
had  better  sleep  without  his  scalp,  than  famish  in  the  midst 
of  plenty." 

His  passengers  gladly  complied  with  these  directions.  As 
the  last  foot  touched  the  rock,  the  canoe  whirled  from  its  sta 
tion,  when  the  tall  form  of  the  scout  was  seen,  for  an  instant, 
gliding  above  the  waters,  before  it  disappeared  in  the  impen- 
etrable darkness  that  rested  on  the  bed  of  the  river.  Left  by 
their  guide,  the  travellers  remained  a  few  minutes  in  helpless 
ignorance,  afraid  even  to  move  along  the  broken  rocks,  lest 
a  false  step  should  precipitate  them  down  some  one  of  the 
many  deep  and  roaring  caverns,  into  which  the  water  seemed 
to  tumble,  on  every  side  of  them.  Their  suspense,  however, 
was  soon  relieved  ;  for  aided  by  the  skill  of  the  natives,  the 
canoe  shot  back  into  the  eddy,  and  floated  again  at  the  side 
of  the  low  rock,  before  they  thought  the  scout  had  even  time 
to  rejoin  his  companions. 

"  We  are  now  fortified,  garrisoned,  and  provisioned,''  cried 
Heywood,  cheerfully,  "  and  may  set  Montcalm  and  his  allies 
at  defiance.  How,  now,  my  vigilant  sentinel,  can  you  see  any 
thing  of  those  you  call  the  Iroquois  on  the  main  land  ? " 

"  I  call  them  Iroquois,  because  to  me  every  native,  who 
speaks  a  foreign  tongue,  is  accounted  an  enemy,  though  he 
may  pretend  to  serve  the  king  !  If  Webb  wants  faith  and 
honesty  in  an  Indian,  let  him  bring  out  the  tribes  of  the  Del- 
aware^, and  send  these  greedy  and  lying  Mohawks  and  Onei« 
das,  with  their  six  nations  of  varlets,  where  in  nature  they 
belong,  among  the  French  !  " 

"  We  should  then  exchange  a  warlike  for  a  useless  friend  1 
I  have  heard  that  the  Delawares  have  laid  aside  the  hatchet 
and  are  content  to  be  called  women  1 " 


jS  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

"  Aye,  shame  on  the  Hollanders  *  and  Iroquois,  who  cif 
cum  vented  them  by  their  deviltries,  into  such  a  treaty  !  But 
I  have  known  them  for  twenty  years,  and  I  call  him  liar,  that 
says  cowardly  blood  runs  in  the  veins  of  a  Delaware.  You 
have  driven  their  tribes  from  the  sea-shore,  and  would  now 
believe  what  their  enemies  say,  that  you  may  sleep  at  night 
upon  an  easy  pillow.  No,  no  ;  to  me  every  Indian  who  speaks 
a  foreign  tongue  is  an  Iroquois,  whether  the  castle  f  of  his 
tribe  be  in  Canada,  or  be  in  York." 

Heywood,  perceiving  that  the  stubborn  adherence  of  the 
scout  to  the  cause  of  his  friends  the  Delawares,  or  Mohicans, 
for  they  were  branches  of  the  same  numerous  people,  was 
likely  to  prolong  a  useless  discussion,  changed  the  subject. 

"  Treaty  or  no  treaty,  I  know  full  well  that  your  two  com- 
panions are  brave  and  cautious  warriors.  Have  they  heard  or 
seen  anything  of  our  enemies  ?  " 

"  An  Indian  is  a  mortal  to  be  felt  afore  he  is  seen,"  re- 
turned the  scout,  ascending  the  rock,  and  throwing  the  deer 
carelessly  down.  "  I  trust  to  other  signs  than  such  as  come  in 
at  the  eye,  when  I  am  outlying  on  the  trail  of  the  Mingoes." 

"  Do  your  ears  tell  you  that  they  have  traced  our  re- 
treat ? " 

*'  I  should  be  sorry  to  think  they  had,  though  this  is  a  spot 
that  stout  courage  might  hold  for  a  smart  skrimmage.  I  wilf 
not  deny,  however,  but  the  horses  cowered  when  I  passes 
them,  as  though  they  scented  the  wolves  \  and  a  wolf  is  a 
beast  that  is  apt  to  hover  about  an  Indian  ambushment,  crav- 
ing the  offals  of  the  deer  the  savages  kill." 

"  You  forget  the  buck  at  your  feet!  or,  may  we  not  owe 
their  visit  to  the  dead  colt  ?  Ha  !  what  noise  is  that  ?  " 

"  Poor  Miriam  !  "  murmured  the  stranger ;  "  thy  foal  was 
foreordained  to  become  a  prey  to  ravenous  beasts  !  "  Then, 
suddenly  lifting  up  his  voice,  amid  the  eternal  din  of  the 
waters,  he  sang  aloud — 

"  First  born  of  Egypt,  smite  did  he, 
Of  mankind,  and  of  beast  also  ; 
O,  Egypt !  wonders  sent  'midst  thee, 
On  Pharaoh  and  his  servants  t»o  ! " 

"  The  aeath  of  the  colt  sits  heavy  on  the  heart  of  its 

*  The  reader  will  remember  that  New  York  was  originally  a  colony  of  th« 
Dutch. 

t  The  principle  villages  of  the  Indians  are  still  called  "  castles  "  by  the  whites 
•f  New  York.  "  Oneida  castle  "  is  no  more  than  a  scattered  •hamlet ;  but  the  name 
fc  m  general  DM. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICAN*.  49 

owner,"  said  the  scout;  "but  it's  a  good  sign  to  see  a  man 
account  upon  his  dumb  friends.  He  has  the  religion  of  the 
matter,  in  believing  what  is  to  happen  will  happen ;  and  with 
such  a  consolation,  it  wont  be  long  afore  he  submits  to  the 
rationality  of  killing  a  four-footed  beast,  to  save  the  lives  of 
human  men.  It  may  be  as  you  say,"  he  continued,  reverting 
to  the  purport  of  Heyward's  last  remark  ;  "  and  the  greater 
the  reason  why  we  should  cut  our  steaks,  and  let  the  carcase 
drive  down  the  stream,  or  we  shall  have  the  pack  howling 
along  the  cliffs,  begrudging  every  mouthful  we  swallow.  Be- 
sides, though  the  Delaware  tongue  is  the  same  as  a  book  to 
the  Iroquois,  the  cunning  varlets  are  quick  enough  at  under- 
standing the  reason  of  a  wolf's  howl." 

The  scout,  whilst  making  this  remark,  was  busied  in  collect- 
ing certain  necessary  implements  ;  as  he  concluded,  he  moved 
silently  by  the  group  of  travellers,  accompanied  by  the  Mohi- 
cans, who  seemed  to  comprehend  his  intentions  with  instinc- 
tive readiness,  when  the  whole  three  disappeared  in  succes- 
sion, seeming  to  vanish  against  the  dark  face  of  a  perpendicular 
rock,  that  rose  to  the  height  of  a  few  yards,  within  as  many 
feet  of  the  water's  edge. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

"  Those  strains  that  once  did  sweet  in  Zion  glide  ; 
He  wales  a  portion  with  judicious  care  ; 
And  '  let  us  worship  God/  he  says,  with  solemn  air." 

BURNS, 

HEYWARD,  and  his  female  companions,  witnessed  this  mys- 
terious movement  with  secret  uneasiness  ;  for,  though  the  con- 
duct of  the  white  man  had  hitherto  been  above  reproach,  his 
rude  equipments,  blunt  address,  and  strong  antipathies,  to- 
gether with  the  character  of  his  silent  associates,  were  all  causes 
for  exciting  distrust  in  minds  that  had  been  so  recently 
alarmed  by  Indian  treachery. 

The  stranger  alone  disregarded  the  passing  incidents.  He 
seated  himself  on  a  projection  of  the  rocks,  whence  he  gave 
no  other  signs  of  consciousness  than  by  the  struggles  of  his 
spirit,  as  manifested  in  frequent  and  heavy  sighs.  Smothered 


go  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICAN'S. 

voices  were  next  heard,  as  though  men  called  to  each  othel 
in  the  bowels  of  the  earth,  when  a  sudden  light  flashed  upon 
those  without,  and  laid  bare  the  much-prized  secret  of  the 
place. 

At  the  further  extremity  of  a  narrow,  deep  cavern  in  the 
rock,  whose  length  appeared  much  extended  by  the  per 
spective  and  the  nature  of  the  light  by  which  it  was  seen,  was 
seated  the  scout,  holding  a  blazing  knot  of  pine.  The  strong 
glare  of  the  fire  fell  full  upon  his  sturdy,  weather-beaten  coun- 
tenance and  forest  attire,  lending  an  air  of  romantic  wildness 
to  the  aspect  of  an  individual,  who,  seen  by  the  sober  light  of 
day,  would  have  exhibited  the  peculiarkies  of  a  man  remarkable 
for  the  strangeness  of  his  dress,  the  iron-like  inflexibility  of 
his  frame,  and  the  singular  compound  of  quick,  vigilant 
sagacity,  and  of  exquisite  simplicity,  that  by  turns  usurped  the 
possession  of  his  muscular  features.  At  a  little  distance  in 
advance  stood  Uncas,  his  whole  person  thrown  powerfully 
into  view.  The  travellers  anxiously  regarded  the  upright, 
flexible  figure  of  the  young  Mohican,  graceful  and  unrestrained 
in  the  attitudes  and  movements  of  nature.  Though  his  person 
was  more  than  usually  screened  by  a  green  and  fringed  hunt- 
ing-shirt, like  that  of  the  white  man,  there  was  no  concealment 
to  his  dark,  glancing,  fearless  eye,  alike  terrible  and  calm  ; 
the  bold  outline  of  his  high,  haughty  features,  pure  in  tfieir 
native  red,  or  to  the  dignified  elevation  of  his  receding  fore- 
head, together  with  all  the  finest  proportions  of  a  noble  head, 
bared  to  the  generous  scalping  tuft.  It  was  the  first  oppor- 
tunity possessed  by  Duncan  and  his  companions,  to  view  the 
marked  lineaments  of  either  of  their  Indian  attendants,  and 
each  individual  of  the  party  felt  relieved  from  a  burden  of 
doubt,  as  the  proud  and  determined,  though  wild  expression 
of  the  features  of  the  young  warrior  forced  itself  on  their  notice. 
They  felt  it  might  be  a  being  partially  benighted  in  the  vale 
of  ignorance,  but  it  could  not  be  one  who  would  willingly 
devote  his  rich  natural  gifts  to  the  purposes  of  wanton, 
treachery.  The  ingenuous  Alice  gazed  at  his  free  air  and 
proud  carriage,  as  she  would  have  looked  upon  some  precious 
relic  of  the  Grecian  chisel,  to  which  life  had  been  imparted 
by  the  intervention  of  a  miracle ;  while  Heyward,  though 
accustomed  to  see  the  perfection  of  form  which  abounds 
among  the  uncorrupted  natives,  openly  expressed  his  admira- 
tion at  such  an  unblemished  specimen  of  the  noblest  propor- 
tions of  man. 

"  I  could  sleep  in  peace,"  whispered  Alice,  in  reply,  "  witb 


THE  LAST  OP  THE  MOHICANS.  $} 

such  a  fearless  and  generous-looking  youth  for  my  sentinel. 
Surely,  Duncan,  those  cruel  murders,  those  terrific  scenes  of 
torture,  of  which  we  read  and  hear  so  much,  are  never  acted 
in  the  presence  of  such  as  he  ?  " 

"  This,  certainly,  is  a  rare  and  brilliant  instance  of  those 
natural  qualities,  in  which  these  peculiar  people  are  said  to 
excel,"  he  answered.  "  I  agree  with  you,  Alice,  in  thinking 
that  such  a  front  and  eye  were  formed  rather  to  intimidate 
than  to  deceive  ;  but  let  us  not  practise  a  deception  upon  our- 
selves, by  expecting  any  other  exhibition  of  what  we  esteem 
virtue  than  according  to  the  fashion  of  a  savage.  As  bright 
examples  of  great  qualities  are  but  too  uncommon  among 
Christians,  so  are  they  singular  and  solitary  with  the  Indians; 
though,  for  the  honor  of  our  common  nature,  neither  are 
incapable  of  producing  them.  Let  us  then  hope  that  this 
Mohican  may  not  disappoint  our  wishes,  but  prove,  what  his 
looks  assert  him  to  be,  a  brave  and  constant  friend." 

"  Now  Major  Heyward  speaks  as  Major  Heyward  should," 
said  Cora ;  "  who  that  looks  at  this  creature  of  nature, 
remembers  the  shade  of  his  skin  ?  " 

A  short,  and  apparently  an  embarrassed  silence  succeeded 
this  remark,  which  was  interrupted  by  the  scout  Calling  to 
them,  aloud,  to  enter. 

"  This  fire  begins  to  show  too  bright  a  flame,"  hf  continued, 
as  they  complied,  "  and  might  light  the  Mingoes  to  our  un- 
doing. Uncas,  drop  the  blanket,  and  show  thfe  knaves  its 
dark  side.  This  is  not  such  a  supper  as  a  major  uf  the  Royal 
Americans  has  a  right  to  expect,  but  I've  known s^out  detach- 
ments of  the  corps  glad  to  eat  their  venison  raw,  and  without 
a  relish,  too.*  Here,  you  see,  we  have  plenty  of  salt,  and  can 
make  a  quick  broil.  There's  fresh  sassafras  boughs  for  the 
ladies  to  sit  on,  which  may  not  be  as  proud  as  their  my-hog- 
guinea  chairs,  but  which  sends  up  a  sweeter  flavor  than  the 
skin  of  any  hog  can  do,  be  it  of  Guinea,  or  be  it  of  any  other 
land.  Come,  friend,  don't  be  mournful  for  the  colt ;  'twas  an 
innocent  thing,  and  had  not  seen  much  hardship.  Its  death 
will  save  the  creature  many  a  sore  back  and  weary  foot." 

Uncas  did  as  the  other  had  directed,  and  when  the  voice 

*  In  vulgar  parlance  the  condiments  of  a  repast  are  called  by  the  American  "  a 
relish,"  substituting  the  thing  for  its  effect.  These  provincial  terms  are  frequently 
put  in  the  mouths  of  the  speakers,  according  to  their  several  conditions  in  life. 
Most  of  them  are  of  local  use,  and  others  quite  peculiar  to  the  particular  class  of 
men  to  which  the  character  belongs.  In  the  present  Instance,  the  scout  uses  the 
word  with  immediate  reference  to  the  "  salt,"  with  y/fr,'cU  5f»is  own  party  wa»  so 
fortunate  as  to  be  provided 


5  2  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

of  Hawk-eye  ceased,  the  roar  01  the  cataract  sounded  like  tht 
rumb]ing  of  distant  thunder. 

"  Are  we  quite  safe  in  this  cavern  ?  "  demanded  Heyward. 
"  Is  there  no  danger  of  surprise  ?  A  single  armed  man,  at  its 
entrance,  would  hold  us  at  his  mercy." 

A  spectral-looking  figure  stalked  from  out  the  darkness 
behind  the  scout,  and  seizing  a  blazing  brand,  held  it  towards 
the  further  extremity  of  their  place  of  retreat.  Alice  uttered  a 
faint  shriek,  and  even  Cora  rose  to  her  feet,  as  this  appalling 
object  moved  into  the  light ;  but  a  single  word  from  Heyward 
calmed  them,  with  the  assurance  it  was  only  their  attendant, 
Chingachgook,  who,  lifting  another  blanket,  discov.  red  that 
the  cavern  had  two  outlets.  Then,  holding  the  brand,  he 
crossed  a  deep,  narrow  chasm  in  the  rocks,  which  ran  at  right 
angles  with  the  passage  they  were  in,  but  which,  unlike  that, 
was  open  to  the  heavens,  and  entered  another  cave,  answering 
to  the  description  of  the  first,  in  every  essential  particular. 

"  Such  old  foxes  as  Chingachgook  and  myself  are  not  often 
caught  in  a  burrow  with  one  hole,"  said  Hawk-eye,  laughing  ; 
"  you  can  easily  see  the  cunning  of  the  place — the  rock  is  black 
limestone,  which  everybody  knows  is  soft  ;  it  makes  no  uncom- 
fortable pillow,  where  brush  and  pine  wood  is  scarce ;  well, 
the  fall  was  once  a  few  yards  below  us,  and  I  dare  to  say  was, 
in  its  time,  as  regular  and  as  handsome  a  sheet  of  water  as 
any  along  the  Hudson.  But  old  age  is  a  great  injury  to  good 
looks,  as  these  sweet  young  ladies  have  yet  to  Tarn !  The 
place  is  sadly  changed  !  These  rocks  are  full  of  cracks,  and 
in  some  places  they  are  softer  than  at  othersome,  and  the 
water  has  worked  out  deep  hollows  for  itself,  until  it  has  fallen 
back,  aye,  some  hundred  feet,  breaking  here  and  wearing  there, 
until  the  falls  have  neither  shape  nor  consistency." 

"  In  what  part  of  them  are  we  ?  "  asked  Heyward. 

"  Why,  we  are  nigh  the  spot  that  Providence  first  placed 
them  at,  but  where,  it  seems,  they  were  too  rebellious  to  stay. 
The  rock  proved  softer  on  each  side  of  us,  and  so  they  left 
the  centre  of  the  river  bare  and  dry,  first  working  out  these 
two  little  holes  for  us  to  hide  in." 

'  'We  are  then  on  an  island  ? " 

"  Aye  !  there  are  the  falls  on  two  sides  of  us  and  the  river 
above  and  below.  If  you  had  daylight,  it  would  be  worth  the 
trouble  to  step  up  on  the  height  of  this  rock  and  look  at  the 
perversity  of  the  water.  It  falls  by  no  rule  at  all ;  sometimes  it 
leaps,  sometimes  it  tumbles  ;  there,  it  skips  ;  here,  it  shoots  ;  in 
one  place  'tis  white  as  snow,  and  in  another  'tis  green  as  grass ; 


THE  LAST  OF  THJS  MOH2CANS. 


53 


Hereabouts,  it  pitches  into  deep  hollows,  that  rumble  and 
quake  the  'arth  ;  and  thereaway,  it  ripples  and  sings  like  9 
brook,  fashioning  whirlpools  and  gulleys  in  the  old  stone,  as 
if  'twas  no  harder  than  trodden  clay.  The  whole  design  of 
the  river  seems  disconcerted.  First  it  runs  smoothly,  as  if 
meaning  to  go  down  the  descent  as  things  were  ordered  ;  then 
it  angles  about  and  faces  the  shores ;  nor  are  there  places 
wanting  where  it  looks  backward,  as  if  unwilling  to  leave  the 
wilderness,  to  mingle  with  the  salt !  Aye,  lady,  the  fine  cob- 
web looking  cloth  you  wear  at  your  throat,  is  coarse,  and  like 
a  fish-net,  to  little  spots  I  can  show  you,  where  the  river  fab- 
ricates all  sorts  of  images,  as  if,  having  broke  loose  from  order 
it  would  try  its  hand  at  everything.  And  yet  what  does  it 
amount  to  !  After  the  water  has  been  suffered  to  have  its  will, 
for  a  time,  like  a  headstrong  man,  it  is  gathered  together  by 
the  hand  that  made  it,  and  a  few  rods  below  you  may  see  it 
all,  flowing  on  steadily  towards  the  sea,  as  was  foreordained 
from  the  first  foundation  of  the  'arth  ! " 

While  his  auditors  received  a  cheering  assurance  of  the 
security  of  their  place  of  concealment  from  this  untutored 
description  of  Glenn's,*  they  were  much  inclined  to  judge 
differently  from  Hawk-eye,  of  its  wild  beauties.  But  they  were 
not  in  a  situation  to  suffer  their  thoughts  to  dwell  oft  the  charms 
of  natural  objects  ;  and,  as  the  scout  hadknot  found  it  necessary 
to  cease  his  culinary  labors  while  he  spoke,  unless  to  point 
out,  with  a  broken  fork,  the  direction  of  some  particularly 
obnoxious  point  in  the  rebellious  stream,  they  now  suffered 
their  attention  to  be  drawn  to  the  necessary  though  more  vul- 
gar consideration  of  their  supper. 

The  repast,  which  was  greatly  aided  by  the  addition  of  a 
few  delicacies  that  Heyward  had  the  precaution  to  bring  with 
him  when  they  left  their  horses,  was  exceedingly  refreshing 
to  the  wearied  party.  Uncas  acted  as  attendant  to  the  fe- 
males, performing  all  the  little  offices  within  his  power,  with  a 
mixture  of  dignity  and  anxious  grace,  that  served  to  amuse 

*  Glenn's  Falls  are  on  the  Hudson,  some  forty  or  fifty  miles  above  the  head  of 
tide,  or  the  place  where  that  river  becomes  navigable  for  sloops.  The  description 
of  this  picturesque  and  remarkable  little  cataract,  as  given  by  the  scout,  is  suffi- 
s'.ently  correct,  though  the  application  of  the  water  to  the  uses  of  civilized  life  has 
materially  injured  its  beauties.  The  rocky  island  and  the  two  caverns  are  well 
known  to  every  traveller,  since  the  former  sustains  a  pier  of  a  bridge  which  is  now) 
thrown  across  the  river,  immediately  above  the  fall.  In  explanation  of  the  taste  of 
Hawk-eye,  it  should  be  remembered  that  men  always  prize  that  most  which  is  least 
enjoyed.  Thus,  in  a  new  country,  the  woods  and  other  objects,  which  in  an  old 
country  would  be  maintained  at  great  cost,  are  got  rid  of,  simply  with  a  view  of 
M  improving  "  as  it  is  called. 


54  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

Heyward,  who  well  knew  that  it  was  an  utter  innovation  on 
the  Indian  customs,  which  forbid  their  warriors  to  descend  to 
any  menial  employment,  especially  in  favor  of  their  women, 
As  the  rights  of  hospitality  were,  however,  considered  sacred 
among  them,  this  little  departure  from  the  dignity  of  manhood 
excited  no  audible  comment.  Had  there  been  one  there 
sufficiently  disengaged  to  become  a  close  observer,  he  might 
have  fancied  that  the  services  of  the  young  chief  were  not  en- 
tirely impartial.  That  while  he  tendered  to  Alice  the  gourd 
of  sweet  water,  and  the  venison  in  a  trencher,  neatly  carved 
from  the  knot  of  the  pepperidge,  with  sufficient  courtesy,  in 
performing  the  same  offices  to  her  sister,  his  dark  eye  lingered 
on  her  rich  speaking  countenance.  Once  or  twice  he  was 
compelled  to  speak,  to  command  the  attention  of  those  he 
served.  In  such  cases,  he  made  use  of  English,  broken  and 
imperfect,  but  sufficiently  intelligible,  and  which  he  rendered 
so  mild  and  musical,  by  his  deep  *  guttural  voice,  that  it  never 
failed  to  cause  both  ladies  to  look  up  in  admiration  and  aston- 
ishment. In  the  course  of  these  civilities,  a  few  sentences 
were  exchanged,  that  served  to  establish  the  appearance  of  an 
amicable  intercourse  between  the  parties. 

In  the  mean  while,  the  gravity  of  Chingachgook  remained 
immovable.  *  He  had  seated  himself  more  within  the  circle  of 
light,  where  the  frequent  uneasy  glances  of  his  guests  were  bet- 
ter enabled  to  separate  the  natural  expression  of  his  face  from 
the  artificial  terrors  of  the  war-paint.  They  found  a  strong 
resemblance  between  father  and  son,  with  the  difference  that 
might  be  expected  from  age  and  hardships.  The  fierceness 
of  his  countenance  now  seemed  to  slumber,  and  in  its  place 
was  to  be  seen  the  quiet,  vacant  composure,  which  distinguishes 
an  Indian  warrior,  when  his  faculties  are  not  required  for  any 
of  the  greater  purposes  of  his  existence.  It  was,  however, 
easy  to  be  seen,  by  the  occasional  gleams  that  shot  across  his 
swarthy  visage,  that  it  was  only  necessary  to  arouse  his  pas- 
sions, in  order  to  give  full  effect  to  the  terrific  device  which  he 
had  adopted  to  intimidate  his  enemies.  On  the  other  hand,  the 
quick  roving  eye  of  the  scout  seldom  rested.  He  ate  and  drank 
with  an  appetite  that  no  sense  of  danger  could  disturb,  but  his 
vigilance  seemed  never  to  desert  him.  Twenty  times  the  gourd 
or  th«  venison  was  suspended  before  his  lips,  while  his  head 
was  turned  aside,  as  though  he  listened  to  some  distant  and 
distrusted  sounds — a  movement  that  never  failed  to  recall  his 

*  The  meaning  of  Indian  words  is  much  governed  by  the  emphasis  and  tones 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  ^ 

guests  from  regarding  the  novelties  of  t^eir  situation,  to  a  rec- 
ollection of  the  alarming  reasons  that  had  driven  them  to 
seek  it.  As  these  frequent  pauses  were  never  followed  by  any 
remark,  the  momentary  uneasiness  they  created  quickly  passed 
away,  and  for  a  time  was  forgotten. 

"Come,  friend,"  said  Hawk-eye,  drawing  out  a  keg  from 
beneath  a  cover  of  leaves,  toward's  the  close  of  the  repast,  and 
addressing  the  stranger  who  sat  at  his  elbow,  doing  great 
justice  to  his  culinary  skill,  "try  a  little  spruce;  'twill  wash 
away  all  thoughts  of  the  colt,  and  quicken  the  life  in  your 
bosom.  I  drink  to  our  better  friendship,  hoping  that  a  little 
horseflesh  may  leave  no  heartburnings  atween  us.  How  do 
you  name  yourself  ?  " 

"Gamut — David  Gamut,"  returned  the  singing-master, 
preparing  to  wash  down  his  sorrows  in  a  powerful  draught  of 
the  woodman's  high-flavored  and  well-laced  compound. 

"  A  very  good  name,  and,  I  dare  say,  handed  clown  from 
honest  forefathers.  I'm  an  admirer  of  names,  though  the 
Christian  fashions  fall  far  below  savage  customs  in  this  par- 
ticular. The  biggest  coward  I  ever  knew  was  called  Lyon ; 
and  his  wife,  Patience,  would  scold  you  out  of  hearing  in  less 
time  than  a  hunted  deer  would  run  a  rod.  With  an  Indian 
'tis  a  matter  of  conscience  ;  what  he  calls  himself,  he  gener- 
ally is — not  that  Chingachgook,  which  signifies  big  sarpent, 
is  really  a  snake,  big  or  little;  but  that  he  understands  the 
windings  and  turnings  of  human  natur',  and  is  silent,  and 
strikes  his  enemies  when  they  least  expect  him.  What  may 
be  your  calling?  " 

"  I  am  an  unworthy  instructor  in  the  art  of  psalmody." 

"  Anan  ! " 

"  I  teach  singing  to  the  youths  of  the  Connecticut  levy." 

"  You  might  be  better  employed.  The  young  hounds  go 
laughing  and  singing  too  much  already  through  the  woods, 
when  they  ought  not  to  breathe  louder  than  a  fox  in  his  cover. 
Can  you  use  the  smooth  bore,  or  handle  the  rifle  ? " 

"  Praised  be  God,  I  have  never  had  occasion  to  meddle 
with  murderous  implements  !  " 

"  Perhaps  you  understand  the  compass,  and  lay  down  the 
water-courses  and  mountains  of  the  wilderness  on  paper,  in 
order  that  they  who  follow  may  find  places  by  their  given 
names  ?  " 

"  I  practise  no  such  employment." 

"  You  have  a  pair  of  legs  that  might  make  a  long  path 
seem  short  !  you  journey  sometimes,  I  fancy,  with  tidings  fol 
the  general." 


$6  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS, 

"  Never;  I  follow  no  other  than  my  own  high  vocation, 
which  is  instruction  in  sacred  music  ! " 

"  'Tis  a  strange  calling  !  "  muttered  Hawk-eye,  with  an  in- 
ward laugh,  "  to  go  through  life,  like  a  cat-bird,  mocking  all 
the  ups  and  downs  that  may  happen  to  come  out  of  other 
men's  throats.  Well,  friend,  I  suppose  it  is  your  gift,  and 
musn't  be  denied  any  more  than  if  'twas  shooting,  or  some 
other  better  inclination.  Let  us  hear  what  you  can  do  in  that 
way  ;  'twill  be  a  friendly  manner  of  saying  good-night,  for  'tis 
time  that  these  ladies  should  be  getting  strength  for  a  hard 
and  a  long  push,  in  the  pride  of  the  morning,  afore  the 
Maquas  are  stirring." 

"With  joyful  pleasure  do  I  consent,"  said  David,  adjust 
ing  his  iron-rimmed  spectacles,  and  producing  his  beloved 
little  volume,  which  he  immediately  tendered  to  Alice. 
"  What  can  be  more  fitting  and  consolatory,  than  to  offer  up 
evening  praise,  after  a  day  of  such  exceeding  jeopardy  !  " 

Alice  smiled  \  but  regarding  Heyward,  she  blushed  and 
hesitated. 

"Indulge  yourself,"  he  whispered:  "ought  not  the  sug 
gestion  of  the  worthy  namesake  of  the  Psalmist  to  have  its 
weight  at  such  a  moment  ? " 

Encouraged  by  his  opinion,  Alice  did  what  her  pious  in- 
clinations and  her  keen  relish  for  gentle  sounds,  had  before 
so  strongly  urged.  The  book  was  opened  at  a  hymn  not  iK 
adapted  to  their  situation,  and  in  which  the  poet,  no  longer 
goaded  by  his  desire  to  excel  the  inspired  King  of  Israel,  had 
discovered  some  chastened  and  respectable  powers.  Cora 
betrayed  a  disposition  to  support  her  sister,  and  the  sacred 
song  proceeded,  after  the  indispensable  preliminaries  of  the 
pitch-pipe  and  the  tune  had  been  duly  attended  to  by  the 
methodical  David. 

The  air  was  solemn  and  slow.  At  times  it  rose  to  the 
fullest  compass  of  the  rich  voices  of  the  females,  who  hung 
over  their  little  book  in  holy  excitement,  and  again  it  sank  so 
low,  that  the  rushing  of  the  waters  ran  through  their  melody, 
like  a  hollow  accompaniment.  The  natural  taste  and  true  ear 
of  David  governed  and  modified  the  sounds  to  suit  the  con- 
fined cavern,  every  crevice  and  cranny  of  which  was  filled 
with  the  thrilling  notes  of  their  flexible  voices.  The  Indians 
riveted  their  eyes  on  the  rocks,  and  listened  with  an  attention 
that  seemed  to  turn  them  into  stone.  But  the  scout,  who  had 
placed  his  chin  in  his  hand,  with  an  expression  of  cold  in« 
difference,  gradually  suffered  his  rigid  features  to  relax*  until 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS  57 

as  verse  succeeded  verse,  he  felt  his  iron  nature  subdued, 
while  his  recollection  was  carried  back  to  boyhood,  when  his 
ears  had  been  accustomed  to  listen  to  similar  sounds  of 
praise,  in  the  settlements  of  the  colony.  His  roving  eyes 
began  to  moisten,  and  before  the  hymn  was  ended,  scalding 
tears  rolled  out  of  fountains  that  had  long  seemed  dry,  and 
followed  each  other  down  those  cheeks,  that  had  oftener  felt 
the  storms  of  heaven  than  any  testimonials  of  weakness.  The 
singers  were  dwelling  on  one  of  those  low,  dying  chords, 
which  the  ear  devours  with  such  greedy  rapture,  as  if  con- 
scious that  it  is  about  to  lose  them,  when  a  cry,  that  seemed 
neither  human  nor  earthly,  rose  in  the  outward  air,  penetra- 
ting not  only  the  recesses  of  the  cavern,  but  to  the  inmost 
hearts  of  all  who  heard  it.  It  was  followed  by  a  stillness  ap- 
parently as  deep  as  if  the  waters  had  been  checked  in  their 
furious  progress,  at  such  a  horrid  and  unusual  interruption. 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  murmured  Alice,  after  a  few  moments  of 
terrible  suspense. 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  repeated  Heyward,  aloud. 

Neither  Hawk-eye  nor  the  Indians  made  any  reply.  They 
listened,  as  if  expecting  the  sound  would  be  repeated,  with  a 
manner  that  expressed  their  own  astonishment.  At  length, 
they  spoke  together,  earnestly,  in  the  Delaware  language, 
when  Uncas,  passing  by  the  inner  and  most  concealed 
aperture,  cautiously  left  the  cavern.  When  he  had  gone,  the 
scout  first  spoke  in  English. 

"  What  it  is,  or  what  it  is  not,  none  here  can  tell,  though 
two  of  us  have  ranged  the  woods  for  more  than  thirty  years. 
I  did  believe  there  was  no  cry  that  Indian  or  beast  could  make, 
that  my  ears  had  not  heard  ;  but  this  has  proved  that  I  was 
only  a  vain  and  conceited  mortal." 

"  Was  it  not,  then,  the  shout  the  warriors  make  when  vhey 
wish  to  intimidate  their  enemies  ? "  asked  Cora,  who  stood 
drawing  her  veil  about  her  person,  with  a  calmness  to  which 
her  agitated  sister  was  a  stranger. 

"  No,  no ;  this  was  bad,  and  shocking,  and  had  a  sort  of 
anhuman  sound  ;  but  when  you  once  hear  the  war-whoop,  you 
will  never  mistake  it  for  anything  else.  Well,  Uncas  1 " 
speaking  in  Delaware  to  the  young  chief  as  he  re-entered, 
"  what  see  you  ?  do  our  lights  shine  through  the  blankets  ?  " 

The  answer  was  short,  and  apparently  decided,  being  given 
in  the  same  tongue. 

"  There  is  nothing  to  be  seen  without,"  continued  Hawk 
eye,  shaking  his  head  in  discontent ;  "  and  our  hiding-place  is 


5g  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

still  in  darkness.  Pass  into  the  other  cave  you  that  need  it; 
and  seek  for  sleep  ;  we  must  be  afoot  long  before  the  sun, 
and  make  the  most  of  our  time  to  get  to  Edward,  while  the 
Mingoes  are  taking  their  morning  nap." 

Cora  set  the  example  of  compliance,  with  a  steadiness  that 
taught  the  more  timid  Alice  the  necessity  of  obedience.  Be 
fore  leaving  the  place,  however,  she  whispered  a  request  tc 
Duncan,  that  he  would  follow.  Uncas  raised  the  blanket  fot 
their  passage,  and  as  the  sisters  turned  to  thank  him  for  this 
act  of  attention,  they  saw  the  scout  seated  again  before  the 
dying  embers,  with  his  face  resting  on  his  hands,  in  a  manner 
which  showed  how  deeply  he  brooded  on  the  unaccountable 
interruption  which  had  broken  up  their  evening  devotions. 

Heyward  took  with  him  a  blazing  knot,  which  threw  a  dim 
light  through  the  narrow  vista  of  their  new  apartment.  Pla- 
cing it  in  a  favorable  position,  he  joined  the  females,  who  now 
found  themselves  alone  with  him  for  the  first  time  since  they 
had  left  the  friendly  ramparts  of  Fort  Edward. 

"  Leave  us  not,  Duncan,"  said  Alice  ;  "  we  cannot  sleep 
in  such  a  place  as  this,  with  that  horrid  cry  still  ringing  in 
our  ears." 

"  First  let  us  examine  into  the  security  of  your  fortress," 
he  answered,  "  and  then  we  will  speak  of  rest." 

He  approached  the  further  end  of  the  cavern,  to  an  outlet 
which,  like  the  others,  was  concealed  by  blankets ;  and  re 
moving  the  thick  screen,  breathed  the  fresh  and  reviving  ah 
from  the  cataract.  One  arm  of  the  river  flowed  through  a 
deep,  narrow  ravine,  which  its  current  had  worn  in  the  soft 
rock,  directly  beneath  his  feet,  forming  an  effectual  defence,, 
as  he  believed,  against  any  danger  from  that  quarter ;  the 
water,  a  few  rods  above  them,  plunging,  glancing,  and  sweep- 
ing along,  in  its  most  violent  and  broken  manner. 

"  Nature  has  made  an  impenetrable  barrier  on  this  side," 
he  continued,  pointing  down  the  perpendicular  declivity  into 
the  dark  current,  before  he  dropped  the  blanket ;  "  and  as 
you  know  that  good  men  and  true  are  on  guard  in  front,  I 
see  no  reason  why  the  advice  of  our  honest  host  should  be 
disregarded.  I  am  certain  Cora  will  join  me  in  saying,  thai 
sleep  is  necessary  to  you  both." 

"  Cora  may  submit  to  the  justice  of  your  opinion,  though 
she  cannot  put  it  in  practice,"  returned  the  elder  sister,  who 
had  placed  herself  by  the  side  of  Alice,  on  a  couch  of  sassa- 
fras ;  "  there  would  be  other  causes  to  chase  away  sleep, 
though  we  had  been  spared  the  shock  of  this  mysterious  noise 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOfflCAWS.  59 

A.sk  yourself,  Heyward,  can  daughters  forget  the  anxiety  * 
father  must  endure,  whose  childrer  lodge,  he  knows  not 
where  or  how,  in  such  a  wilderness,  and  in  the  midst  of  so 
many  perils." 

"  He  is  a  soldier,  and  knows  how  to  estimate  the  chances 
of  the  woods." 

"  He  is  a  father,  and  cannot  deny  his  nature." 

"  How  kind  has  he  ever  been  to  all  my  follies !  how  ten 
der  and  indulgent  to  all  my  wishes  !  "  sobbed  Alice.  "  We 
have  been  selfish,  sister,  in  urging  our  visi(  at  such  hazard." 

"  I  may  have  been  rash  in  pressing  his  consent  in  a 
moment  of  so  much  embarrassment,  but  I  would  have  proved 
to  him,  that  however  others  might  neglect  him  in  his  strait; 
his  children  at  least  were  faithful." 

"  When  he  heard  of  your  arrival  at  Edward,"  said  Hey 
ward,  kindly,  "  there  was  a  powerful  struggle  in  his  bosom  be- 
tween fear  and  love  ;  though  the  latter,  heightened,  if  pos- 
sible, by. so  long  a  separation,  quickly  prevailed.  'It  is  the 
spirit  of  my  noble-minded  Cora  that  leads  them,  Duncan,'  he 
said,  *  and  I  will  not  balk  it.  Would  to  God,  that  he  who 
holds  the  honor  of  our  royal  master  in  his  guardianship,  would 
show  but  half  her  firmness  ! ' ' 

"  And  did  he  not  speak  of  me,  Heyward  ?  "  demanded 
Alice,  with  jealous  affection.  "  Surely,  he  forgot  not  alto- 
gether his  little  Elsie  ?  " 

"  That  were  impossible,"  returned  the  young  man  ;  "  he 
called  you  by  a  thousand  endearing  epiihets.  that  I  may  not 
presume  to  use,  but  to  the  justice  of  which  I  can  warmly 
testify.  Once,  indeed,  he  said — " 

Duncan  ceased  speaking ;  for  while  his  eyes  were  riveted 
on  those  of  Alice,  who  had  turned  towards  him  with  the  eager- 
ness of  filial  affection,  to  catch  his  words,  the  same  strong, 
horrid  cry,  as  before,  filled  the  air,  and  rendered  him  mute. 
A  long,  breathless  silence  succeeded,  during  which,  each 
looked  at  the  others  in  fearful  expectation  of  hearing  the 
sound  repeated.  At  length,  the  blanket  was  slowly  raised, 
and  the  scout  stood  in  the  aperture  with  a  countenance  whose 
firmness  evidently  began  to  give  way,  before  a  mystery  that 
seemed  to  threaten  some  danger,  against  which  all  his 
ning  and  experience  might  prove  of  no  avail. 


fe  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS, 


CHAPTER  VII. 

"  They  do  not  sleep. 
On  yonder  cliffs,  a  grisly  band, 
I  see  them  sit."  GRAY. 

"  'TWOULD  be  neglecting  a  warning  that  is  given  for  oui 
good,  to  lie  hid  any  longer,"  said  Hawk-eye,  "  when  such  sounds 
are  raised  in  the  forest.  These  gentle  ones  may  keep  close, 
but  the  Mohicans  and  I  will  watch  upon  the  rock,  where  J 
suppose  a  major  of  the  sixtieth  would  wish  to  keep  us  com* 
pany." 

"  Is  then  our  danger  so  pressing  ?  "  asked  Cora. 

"  He  who  makes  strange  sounds,  and  gives  them  out  for 
man's  information,  alone  knows  our  danger.  I  should  think 
myself  wicked,  unto  rebellion  against  his  will,  was  I  to  bur- 
row with  such  warnings  in  the  air.  Even  the  weak  soul  who 
passes  his  days  in  singing,  is  stirred  by  the  cry,  and,  as  he 
says,  is  '  ready  to  go  forth  to  the  battle.'  If  'twere  only  a 
battle,  it  would  be  a  thing  understood  by  us  all,  and  easily 
managed ;  but  I  have  heard  that  when  such  shrieks  are 
atween  heaven  and  'arth,  it  betokens  another  sort  of  war- 
fare." 

"  If  all  our  reasons  for  fear,  my  friend,  are  confined  to 
such  as  proceed  from  supernatural  causes,  we  have  but  little 
occasion  to  be  alarmed,"  continued  the  undisturbed  Cora  ; 
"  are  you  certain  that  our  enemies  have  not  invented  some 
new  and  ingenious  method  to  strike  us  with  terror,  that  their 
conquest  may  become  more  easy  ?  " 

"  Lady,"  returned  the  scout  solemnly,  "  I  have  listened  tc 
all  the  sounds  of  the  woods  for  thirty  years,  as  a  man  will  lis 
ten,  whose  life  and  death  depend  on  the  quickness  of  his  ears 
There  is  no  whine  of  the  panther,  no  whistle  of  the  cat-bird: 
nor  any  invention  of  the  devilish  Mingoes,  that  can  cheat  me. 
I  have  heard  the  forest  moan  like  mortal  men  in  their  af 
fliction  ;  often,  and  again,  have  I  listened  to  the  wind  playing 
its  music  in  the  branches  of  the  girdled  trees  ;  and  I  have 
heard  the  lightning  cracking  in  the  air,  like  the  snapping  of 
blazing  brush  as  it  spitted  forth  sparks  and  forked  flames ; 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  6i 

but  never  have  I  thought  that  I  heard  more  than  the  pleasure 
of  him  who  sported  with  the  things  of  his  hand.  But  neithei 
the  Mohicans,  nor  I,  who  am  a  white  man  without  a  cross, 
can  explain  the  cry  just  heard.  We,  therefore,  believe  it  a 
sign  given  for  our  good." 

"  It  is  extraordinary,"  said  Heyward,  taking  his  pistols 
from  the  place  where  he  had  laid  them  on  entering ;  "  be  it  a 
sign  of  peace  or  a  signal  of  war,  it  must  be  looked  to.  Lead 
the  way,  my  friend  ;  I  follow." 

On  issuing  from  their  place  of  confinement,  the  whole 
party  instantly  experienced  a  grateful  renovation  of  spirits, 
by  exchanging  the  pent  air  of  the  hiding-place  for  the  cool 
and  invigorating  atmosphere  which  played  around  the  whirl- 
pools and  pitches  of  the  cataract.  A  heavy  evening  breeze 
swept  along  the  surface  of  the  river,' and  seemed  to  drive  the 
roar  of  the  falls  into  the  recesses  of  their  own  caverns,  whence 
it  issued  heavily  and  constant,  like  thunder  rumbling  beyond 
the  distant  hills.  The  moon  had  risen,  and  its  light  was  al- 
ready glancing  here  and  there  on  the  waters  above  them  \  but 
the  extremity  of  the  rock  where  they  stood,  still  lay  in  shadow. 
With  the  exception  of  the  sounds  produced  by  the  rushing 
waters,  and  an  occasional  breathing  of  the  air,  as  it  murmured 
past  them  in  fitful  currents,  the  scene  was  as  still  as  night 
and  solitudf*  could  make  it.  In  vain  were  the  eyes  of  each 
individual  bent  along  the  opposite  shores,  in  quest  of  some 
signs  of  life,  that  might  explain  the  nature  of  the  interruption 
they  had  heard.  Their  anxious  and  eager  looks  were  baffled 
by  the  deceptive  light,  or  rested  only  on  naked  rocks,  and 
straight  and  immovable  trees. 

"  Here  is  nothing  to  be  seen  but  the  gloom  and  quiet  of  a 
lovely  evening,"  whispered  Duncan  ;  "  how  much  should  we 
prize  such  a  scene,  and  all  this  breathing  solitude,  at  any 
other  moment,  Cora.  Fancy  yourself  in  security,  and  what 
now,  perhaps,  increases  your  terror,  may  be  made  conducive 
to  enjoyment — " 

"  Listen  !  "  interrupted  Alice. 

The  caution  was  unnecessary.  Once  more  the  same  sound 
arose,  as  if  from  the  bed  of  the  river,  and  having  broken  out 
of  the  narrow  bounds  of  the  cliffs,  was  heard  undulating 
through  the  forest,  in  distant  and  dying  cadences. 

"  Can  any  here  give  a  name  to  such  a  cry  ?  "  demanded 
Hawk-eye,  when  the  last  echo  was  lost  in  the  woods ;  "  if  so, 
let  him  speak  ;  for  myself,  I  judge  it  not  to  belong  to  'arth  !  " 

"  Here,  then,  is  one  who  can  undeceive  you,"  said  Durv 


62  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

can. :  "  I  know  the  sound  full  well,  for  often  have  I  heard  it 
on  the  field  of  battle,  and  in  situations  which  are  frequent  in 
a  soldier's  life.  'Tis  the  horrid  shriek  that  3.  horse  will  give 
in  his  agony  ;  oftener  drawn  from  him  in  pain,  though  some- 
times in  terror.  My  charger  is  either  a  prey  to  the  beasts  of 
the  forest,  or  he  sees  his  danger,  without  the  power  to  avoid 
it.  The  sound  might  deceive  me  in  the  cavern,  but  in  the 
open  air  I  know  it  too  well  to  be  wrong." 

The  scout  and  his  companions  listened  to  this  simple  ex 
planation  with  the  interest  of  men  who  imbibe  new  ideas, 
at  the  same  time  that  they  get  rid  of  old  ones,  which  had 
proved  disagreeable  inmates.  The  two  latter  uttered  their 
usual  and  expressive  exclamation,  "  hugh  !  "  as  the  truth  first 
glanced  upon  their  minds,  while  the  former,  after  a  short 
musing  pause,  took  upon  himself  to  reply. 

"I  cannot  deny  your  words,"  he  said;  "for  I  am  littb 
skilled  in  horses,  though  born  where  they  abound.  The 
wolves  must  be  hovering  above  their  heads  on  the  bank,  and 
the  timorsome  creatures  are  calling  on  man  for  help,  in  the, 
best  manner  they  are  able.  Uncas  " — he  spoke  in  Delaware — • 
"  Uncas,  drop  down  in  the  canoe,  and  whirl  a  brand  among 
the  pack  ;  or  fear  may  do  what  the  wolves  can't  get  at  to  per- 
form, and  leave  us  without  horses  in  the  morning,  when  we 
shall  have  so  much  need  to  journey  swiftly !  " 

The  young  native  had  already  descended  to  the  water,  to 
comply,  when  a  long  howl  was  raised  on  the  edge  of  the  river, 
and  was  borne  swiftly  off  into  the  depths  of  the  forest,  as 
though  the  beasts,  of  their  own  accord,  were  abandoning  theii 
prey  in  sudden  terror.  Uncas,  with  instinctive  quickness, 
receded,  and  the  three  foresters  held  another  of  their  low, 
earnest  conferences. 

"  We  have  been  like  hunters  who  have  lost  the  points  of 
the  heavens,  and  from  whom  the  sun  has  been  held  for  days," 
said  Hawk-eye,  turning  away  from  his  companions  ;  "  now  we 
begin  again  to  know  the  signs  of  our  course,  and  the  paths 
are  cleared  from  briers  !  Seat  yourselves  in  the  shade  which 
the  moon  throws  from  yonder  beach — 'tis  thicker  than  that 
of  the  pines — and  let  us  wait  for  that  which  the  Lord  may 
choose  to  send  next.  Let  all  your  conversation  be  in  whis« 
pers  ;  though  it  would  be  better,  and  perhaps,  in  the  end, 
wiser,  if  each  one  held  discourse  with  his  own  thoughts,  foi 
a  time." 

The  manner  of  the  scout  was  seriously  impressive,  though 
no  longer  distinguished  by  any  signs  of  unmanly  appreheiv 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  63 

sion.  It  was  evident  that  his  momentary  weakness  had  van- 
ished with  the  explanation  of  a  mystery  which  his  own  experi- 
ence had  not  served  to  fathom  ;  and  though  he  now  felt  all 
the  realities  of  their  actual  condition,  that  he  was  prepared 
to  meet  them  with  the  energy  of  his  hardy  nature.  This  feel- 
ing seemed  also  common  to  the  natives,  who  placed"  them- 
selves in  positions  which  commanded  a  full  view  of  both 
shores,  while  their  own  persons  were  effectually  concealed 
from  observation.  In  such  circumstances,  common  prudence 
dictated  that  Heyward  and  his  companions  should  imitate  a 
caution  that  proceeded  from  so  intelligent  a  source.  The 
young  man  drew  a  pile  of  the  sassafras  from  the  cave,  and 
placing  it  in  the  chasm  which  separated  the  two  caverns,  it 
was  occupied  by  the  sisters ;  who  were  thus  protected  by  the 
rocks  from  any  missiles,  while  their  anxiety  was  relieved  by 
the  assurance  that  no  clanger  could  approach  without  a  warn- 
ing. Heyward  himself  was  posted  at  hand,  so  near  that  he 
might  communicate  with  his  companions  without  raising  his 
voice  to  a  dangerous  elevation  ;  while  David  in  imitation  of 
the  woodsmen,  bestowed  his  person  in  such  a  manner  among 
the  fissures  of  the  rocks,  that  his  ungainly  limbs  were  no 
longer  offensive  to  the  eye.  . 

In  this  manner,  hours  passed  by  without  further  interrup- 
tion. The  moon  reached  the  zenith,  and  shed  its  mild  light 
perpendicularly  on  the  lovely  sight  of  the  sisters  slumbering 
peacefully  in  each  other's  arms.  Duncan  cast  the  wide  shawl 
of  Cora  before  a  spectacle  he  so  much  loved  to  contemplate, 
and  then  suffered  his  own  head  to  seek  a  pillow  on  the  rock. 
David  began  to  utter  sounds  that  would  have  shocked  his 
delicate  organs  in  more  wakeful  moments ;  in  short,  all  but 
Hawk-eye  and  the  Mohicans  lost  every  idea  of  consciousness, 
in  uncontrollable  drowsiness.  But  the  watchfulness  of  these 
vigilant  protectors  neither  tired  nor  slumbered.  Immovable 
as  that  rock,  of  which  each  appeared  to  form  a  part,  they  lay, 
with  their  eyes  roving,  without  intermission,  along  the  dark 
margin  of  trees  that  bounded  the  adjacent  shores  of  the  nar- 
row stream.  Not  a  sound  escaped  them  ;  the  most  subtle 
Examination  could  not  have  told  they  breathed.  It  was  evi- 
dent that  this  excess  of  caution  proceeded  from  an  experience 
that  no  subtlety  on  the  part  of  their  enemies  could  deceive. 
It  was,  however,  continued  without  any  apparent  conse- 
quences, until  the  moon  had  set,  and  a  pale  streak  above  the 
tree-tops,  at  the  bend  of  the  river  a  little  below,  announced 
the  approach  of  day. 


64  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

Then,  for  the  first  time,  Hawk-eye  was  seen  to  stir.  H« 
crawled  along  the  rock,  and  shook  Duncan  from  his  heavj 
slumbers. 

"  Now  is  the  time  to  journey,"  he  whispered  j  "awake  th< 
gentle, ones,  and  be  ready  to  get  into  the  canoe  when  I  bring 
it  to  the  landing-place." 

"  Have  you  had  a  quiet  night  ?  "  said  Heyward  ;  "  for  my 
self,  I  believe  sleep  has  got  the  better  of  my  vigilance." 

"  All  is  yet  still  as  midnight.     Be  silent,  but  be  quick." 

By  this  time  Duncan  was  thoroughly  awake,  and  he  imme- 
diately lifted  the  shawl  from  the  sleeping  females.  The 
motion  caused  Cora  to  raise  her  hand  as  if  to  repulse  him, 
while  Alice  murmured,  in  her  soft  gentle  voice,  "  No,  no, 
dear  father,  we  were  not  deserted  ;  Duncan  was  with  us  !  " 

"  Yes,  sweet  innocence,"  whispered  the  youth  ;  "  Duncan 
is  here,  and  while  life  continues  or  danger  remains,  he  will 
never  quit  thee.  Cora  !  Alice  !  awake  I  The  hour  has  come 
to  move ! " 

A  loud  shriek  from  the  younger  of  the  sisters,  and  the 
form  of  the  other  standing  upright  before  him,  in  bewildered 
horror,  was  the  unexpected  answer  he  received.  While  the 
words  were  still  on  the  lips  of  Heyward,  there  had  arisen 
such  a  tumult  of  yells  and  cries  as  served  to  drive  the  swift 
currents  of  his  own  blood  back  from  its  bounding  course  into 
the  fountains  of  his  heart.  It  seemed,  for  near  a  minute,  as 
if  the  demons  of  hell  had  possessed  themselves  of  the  air 
about  them,  and  were  venting  their  savage  humors  in  barbar- 
ous sounds.  The  cries  came  from  no  particular  direction, 
though  it  was  evident  they  filled  the  woods,  and,  as  the  ap- 
palled listeners  easily  imagined,  the  caverns  of  the  falls,  the 
rocks,  the  bed  of  the  river,  and  the  upper  air.  David  raised 
his  tall  person  in  the  midst  of  the  infernal  din,  with  a  hand 
on  either  ear,  exclaiming, — 

"  Whence  comes  this  discord  !  Has  hell  broke  loose,  that 
man  should  utter  sounds  like  these  !  " 

The  bright  flashes  and  the  quick  reports  of  a  dozen  rifles. 
from  the  opposite  banks  of  the  stream,  followed  this  incau- 
tious exposure  of  his  person,  and  left  the  unfortunate  singing 
master  senseless  on  that  rock  where  he  had  been  so  long  slum- 
bering. The  Mohicans  boldly  sent  back  the  intimidating  yell 
of  their  enemies,  who  raised  a  shout  of  savage  triumph  at  the 
fall  of  Gamut.  The  flash  of  rifles  was  then  quick  and  close 
between  them,  but  either  party  was  too  well  skilled  to  leave 
even  a  limb  exposed  to  the  hostile  aim.  Duncan  listened  with 
intense  anxiety  for  the  strokes  of  the  paddle,  believing  that 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  65 

flight  was  now  their  only  refuge.  The  river  glanced  Dy  with 
its  ordinary  velocity  but  the  canoe  was  nowhere  to  be  seen  on 
its  dark  waters.  He  had  just  fancied  they  were  cruelly  de- 
serted by  the  scout,  as  a  stream  of  flame  issued  from  the  rock 
beneath  him,  and  a  fierce  yell,  blended  with  a  shriek  of  agony, 
announced  that  the  messenger  of  death,  sent  from  the  fatal 
weapon  of  Hawk-eye,  had  found  a  victim.  At  this  slight 
repulse  the  assailants  instantly  withdrew,  and  gradually  the 
place  became  as  still  as  before  the  sudden  tumult. 

Duncan  seized  the  favorable  moment  to  spring  to  the  body 
of  Gamut,  which  he  bore  within  the  shelter  of  the  narrow 
chasm  that  protected  the  sisters.  In  another  minute  the 
whole  party  was  collected  in  this  spot  of  comparative  safety. 

"  The  poor  fellow  has  saved  his  scalp,?J  said  Hawk-eye, 
coolly  passing  his  hand  over  the  head  of  David  ;  "but  he  is  a 
proof  that  a  man  may  be  born  with  too  long  a  tongue  !  'Twas 
downright  madness  to  show  six  feet  of  flesh  and  blood,  on  a 
naked  rock,  to  the  raging  savages,  I  only  wonder  he  ha* 
escaped  with  life." 

"  Is  he  not  dead  !  "  demanded  Cora,  in  a  voice  whose 
husky  tones  showed  how  powerfully  natural  horror  struggled 
with  her  assumed  fir rrness.  "  Can  we  do  aught  to  assist  the 
wretched  man  ?  " 

"  No,  no  !  the  life  is  in  his  heart  yet,  and  after  he  has 
slept  awhile  he  will  come  to  himself,  and  be  a  wiser  man  for 
it,  till  the  hour  of  his  real  time  shall  come,"  returned  Hawk- 
eye,  casting  another  oblique  glance  at  the  insensible  body, 
while  he  filled  his  charger  with  admirable  nicety.  "  Carry  him 
in,  Uncas,  and  lay  him  on  the  sassafras.  The  longer  his  nap 
lasts  the  better  it  will  be  for  him,  as  I  doubt  whether  he  can 
find  a  proper  cover  for  such  a  shape  on  these  rocks  ;  and  sing- 
ing won't  do  any  good  with  the  Iroquois." 

"  You  believe,  then,  the  attack  will  be  renewed  ? "  asked 
Heyward. 

"  Do  I  expect  a  hungry  wolf  will  satisfy  his  craving  with 
a  mouthful  !  They  have  lost  a  man,  and  'tis  their  fashion, 
when  they  meet  a  loss,  and  fail  in  the  surprise,  to  fall  back ; 
but  we  shall  have  them  on  again,  with  new  expedients  to  cir- 
cumvent us,  and  master  our  scalps.  Our  main  hope,"  he  con- 
tinued, raising  his  rugged  countenance,  across  which  a  shade 
of  anxiety  just  then  passed  like  a  darkening  cloud,  "  will  be 
to  keep  the  rock  until  Munro  can  send  a  party  to  our  help  ! 
God  send  it  may  be  soon,  and  under  a  leader  that  knows  the 
Indian  customs !  " 


66  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

"  You  hear  our  probable  fortunes,  Cora,"  said  Duncan  -, 
'*  and  you  know  we  have  everything  to  hope  from  the  anxiety 
and  experience  of  your  father.  Come,  then,  with  Alice,  into 
this  cavern,  where  you,  at  least,  will  be  safe  from  the  murder- 
ous rifles  of  our  enemies,  and  where  you  may  bestow  a  care 
suited  to  your  gentle  natures  on  our  unfortunate  comrade." 

The  sisters  followed  him  into  the  outer  cave,  where  David 
was  beginning,  by  his  sighs,  to  give  symptoms  of  returning 
consciousness  ;  and  then  commending  the  wounded  man  to 
their  attention,  he  immediately  prepared  to  leave  them. 

"  Duncan  !  "  said  the  tremulous  voice  of  Cora,  when  he 
had  reached  the  mouth  of  the  cavern.  He  turned  and  beheld 
the  speaker,  whose  color  had  changed  to  a  deadly  paleness, 
and  whose  lip  quivered,  gazing  after  him,  with  an  expression 
of  interest  which  immediately  recalled  him  to  her  side.  "  Re- 
member, Duncan,  how  necessary  your  safety  is  to  our  own — 
how  you  bear  a  father's  sacred  trust — now  much  depends  on 
your  discretion  and  care — in  short,"  she  added,  while  the 
tell-tale  blood  stole  over  her  features,  crimsoning  her  very 
temples,  "  how  very  deservedly  dear  you  are  to  all  of  the  name 
of  Munro." 

"  If  anything  could  add  to  my  own  base  love  of  life,"  said 
Heyward,  suffering  his  unconscious  eyes  to  wander  to  the 
youthful  form  of  the  silent  Alice,  "  it  would  be  so  kind  an  as- 
surance. As  major  of  the  6oth,  our  honest  host  will  tell  you 
I  must  take  my  share  of  the  fray ;  but  our  task  will  be  easy ; 
it  is  merely  to  keep  these  blood-hounds  at  bay  for  a  few 
hours." 

Without  waiting  for  reply,  he  tore  himself  from  the  pres- 
ence of  the  sisters,  and  joined  the  scout  and  his  companions, 
who  still  lay  within  the  protection  of  the  little  chasm  between 
the  two  caves 

"  I  tell  you,  Uncas,"  said  the  former,  as  Heyward  joined 
them,  "  you  are  wasteful  rf  your  powder,  and  the  kick  of  the 
rifle  disconcerts  your  aim  !  Little  powder,  light  lead,  and  a 
long  arm,  seldom  fail  of  bringing  the  death  screech  from  a 
Mingo  !  At  least,  such  has  been  my  experience  with  the 
creaturs.  Come,  friends  ;  let  us  to  our  covers,  for  no  man 
can  tell  when  or  where  a  Maqua  *  will  strike  his  blow." 

The  Indians  silently  repaired  to  their  appointed  stations, 

*  It  will  be  observed  that  Hawk-eye  applies  different  names  to  his  enemies. 
Mingo  and  Maqua  are  terms  of  contempt,  and  Iroquois  is  a  name  given  by  th« 
French.  The  Indians  rarely  use  the  same  name  when  different  trices  soeak  of 
iach  other. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  67 

/vhich  were  fissures  in  the  rocks,  whence  they  could  command 
the  approaches  to  the  foot  of  the  falls.  In  the  centre  of  the 
little  island,  a  few  short  and  stunted  pines  had  found  root, 
forming  a  thicket,  into  which  Hawk-eye  darted  with  the  swift- 
ness of  a  deer,  followed  by  the  active  Duncan.  Here  they 
secured  themselves,  as  well  as  circumstances  would  permit, 
among  the  shrubs  and  fragments  of  stone  that  were  scattered 
about  the  place.  Above  them  was  a  bare,  rounded  rock,  on 
each  side  of  which  the  water  played  its  gambols,  and  plunged 
into  the  abysses  beneath,  in  the  manner  already  described. 
As  the  day  had  now  dawned,  the  opposite  shores  no  longer 
presented  a  confused  outline,  but  they  were  able  to  look  into 
the  woods,  and  distinguish  objects  beneath  a  canopy  of  gloomy 
pines. 

A  long  and  anxious  watch  succeeded,  but  without  any 
further  evidence  of  a  renewed  attack  ;  and  Duncan  began  to 
hope  that  their  fire  had  proved  more  fatal  than  was  supposed, 
and  that  their  enemies  had  been  effectually  repulsed.  When 
he  ventured  to  utter  this  impression  to  his  companion,  it  was 
met  by  Hawk-eye  with  an  incredulous  shake  of  the  head. 

"  You  know  not  the  nature  of  a  Maqua,  if  you  think  he  is 
so  easily  beaten  back  without  a  scalp  !  "  he  answered.  "  If 
there  was  one  of  the  imps  yelling  this  morning,  there  were 
forty !  and  they  know  our  number  and  quality  too  well  to  give 
up  the  chase  so  soon.  Hist !  look  into  the  water  above,  just 
where  it  breaks  over  the  rocks.  I  am  no  mortal,  if  the  risky 
devils  haven't  swam  down  upon  the  very  pitch,  and,  as  bad 
luck  would  have  it,  they  have  hit  the  head  of  the  island.  Hist ! 
man,  keep  close !  or  the  hair  will  be  off  your  crown  in  the. 
turning  of  a  knife  !  " 

Heyward  lifted  his  head  from  the  cover,  and  beheld  what 
he  justly  considered  a  prodigy  of  rashness  and  skill.  The 
river  had  worn  away  the  edge  of  the  soft  rock  in  such  a  man- 
ner, as  to  render  its  first  pitch  less  abrupt  and  perpendicular 
than  is  usual  at  waterfalls.  With  no  other  guide  than  tjie 
ripple  of  the  stream  where  it  met  the  head  of  the  island,  a 
party  of  their  insatiable  foes  had  ventured  into  the  current, 
and  swam  down  upon  this  point,  knowing  the  ready  access  it 
would  give,  if  successful,  to  their  intended  victims.  As  Hawk- 
eye  ceased  speaking,  four  human  heads  could  be  seen  peering 
above  a  few  logs  of  drift  wood  that  had  lodged  on  these  naked 
rocks,  and  which  had  probably  suggested  the  idea  of  the  prac- 
ticability of  the  hazardous  undertaking.  At  the  next  moment, 
a  fifth  form  was,  seen  floating  over  the  green  edge  of  the  fall 


68  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

a  little  fiom  the  line  of  the  island.  The  savage  struggled 
powerfully  to  gain  the  point  of  safety,  and,  favored  by  the 
glancing  water,  he  was  already  stretching  forth  an  arm  to 
meet  the  grasp  of  his  companions,  when  he  shot  away  again 
with  the  whirling  current,  appeared  to  rise  in  the  air,  with  up- 
lifted arms  and  starting  eyeballs,  and  fell,  with  a  sudden 
plunge,  into  that  deep  and  yawning  abyss  over  which  he 
hovered.  A  single,  wild,  despairing  shriek  rose  from  the 
cavern,  and  all  was  hushed  again,  as  the  grave. 

The  first  generous  impulse  of  Duncan  was  to  rush  to  the 
rescue  of  the  hapless  wretch  ;  but  he  felt  himself  bound  to 
the  spot  by  the  iron  grasp  of  the  immovable  scout. 

"  Would  ye  bring  certain  death  upon  us,  by  telling  the 
Mingoes  where  we  lie  ?  "  demanded  Hawk-eye,  sternly ;  "  'tis 
a  charge  of  powder  saved,  and  ammunition  is  as  precious  now 
as  breath  to  a  worried  deer !  Freshen  the  priming  of  your 
pistols — the  mist  of  the  falls  is  apt  to  dampen  the  brimstone 
— and  stand  firm  for  a  close  struggle,  while  I  fire  on  their 
rush." 

He  placed  a  finger  in  his  mouth,  and  drew  a  long,  shrill 
whistle,  which  was  answered  by  the  rocks  that  were  guarded 
by  the  Mohicans.  Duncan  caught  glimpses  of  heads  above 
the  scattered  drift  wood,  as  this  signal  rose  on  the  air,  but 
they  disappeared  again  as  suddenly  as  they  had  glanced  upon 
his  sight.  A  low,  rustling  sound,  next  drew  his  attention  be- 
hind him,  and  turning  his  head,  he  beheld  Uncas  within  a 
few  feet,  creeping  to  his  side.  Hawk-eye  spoke  to  him  in 
Delaware,  when  the  young  chief  took  his  position  with  singu- 
lar caution  and  undisturbed  coolness.  To  Heyward  this  was 
a  moment  of  feverish  and  impatient  suspense  ;  though  the 
scout  saw  fit  to  select  it  as  a  fit  occasion  to  read  a  lecture  to 
his  more  youthful  associates  on  the  art  of  using  fire-arms  with 
discretion. 

"  Of  all  we'pons,"  he  commenced,  "  the  long-barrelled, 
true-grooved,  soft-metaled  rifle,  is  the  most  dangerous  in  skil- 
ful hands,  though  it  wants  a  strong  arm,  a  quick  eye  and  great 
judgment  in  charging,  to  put  forth  all  its  beauties.  The  gun- 
smiths can  have  but  little  insight  into  their  trade,  when  they 
make  their  fowling-pieces  and  short  horsemen's — " 

He  was  interrupted  by  the  low  but  expressive  "  hugh  "  of 
Uncas. 

"  I  see  them,  boy,  I  see  them ! "  continued  Hawk-eye ; 
|sthey  are  gathering  for  the  rush,  or  they  would  keep  theil 
dingy  backs  below  the  logs.  Well,  let  them,"  he  added,  ex 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  69 

amining  his  flint ;  "  the  leading  man  certainly  comes  on  to  his 
death,  though  it  should  be  Montcalm  himself  !  " 

At  that  moment  the  woods  were  filled  with  another  burst 
of  cries,  and  at  the  signal  four  savages  sprang  from  the  cover 
of  the  drift  wood.  Heyward  felt  a  burning  desire  to  rush  for- 
ward to  meet  them,  so  intense  was  the  delirious  anxiety  of  the 
moment ;  but  he  was  restrained  by  the  deliberate  examples  of 
the  scout  and  Uncas. 

When  their  foes,  who  leaped  over  the  black  rocks  that 
divided  them,  with  long  bounds,  uttering  the  wildest  yells, 
were  within  a  few  rods,  the  rifle  of  Hawk-eye  slowly  rose 
among  the  shrubs,  and  poured  out  its  fatal  contents.  The 
foremost  Indian  bounded  like  a  stricken  deer,  and  fell  head- 
long among  the  clefts  of  the  island. 

"  Now,  Uncas  !  "  cried  the  scout,  drawing  his  long  knife, 
while  his  quick  eyes  began  to  flash  with  ardor,  "  take  the  last 
of  the  screeching  imps  ;  of  the  other  two  we  are  certain  !  " 

He  was  obeyed  ;  and  but  two  e  jemies  remained  to  be 
overcome.  Heyward  had  given  on  his  pistols  to  Hawk- 
eye,  and  together  they  rushed  down  a  little  declivity  towards 
their  foes  ;  they  discharged  their  weapons  at  the  same  in- 
stant, and  equally  without  success. 

"I  know'd  it !  and  I  said  it ! "  muttered  the  scout,  whirl- 
ing llio  despised  little  implement  over  the  falls  with  bitter 
disdain.  "  Come  on,  ye  bloody  minded  hell-hounds  !  ye  meet 
a  man  without  a  cross  !  " 

The  words  were  barely  uttered,  when  he  encountered  a 
savage  of  gigantic  stature,  and  of  the  fiercest  mien.  At  the 
same  moment,  Duncan  found  himself  engaged  with  the  other, 
in  a  similar  contest  of  hand  to  hand.  With  ready  skill,  Hawk- 
eye  and  his  antagonist  each  grasped  that  uplifted  arm  of  the 
other  which  held  the  dangerous  knife.  For  near  a  minute 
they  stood  looking  one  another  in  the  eye,  and  giadually  ex- 
erting the  power  of  their  muscles  for  the  mastery.  At  length, 
the  toughened  sinews  of  the  white  man  prevailed  over  the  less 
practised  limbs  of  the  native.  The  arm  of  thft  latter  slowly 
gave  way  before  the  increasing  force  of  the  scout,  who,  sud- 
denly wresting  his  armed  hand  from  his  foe,  drove  the  sharp 
weapon  through  his  naked  bosom  to  the  heart.  In  the  mean 
time,  Heyward  had  been  pressed  in  a  more  deadly  struggle. 
His  slight  sword  was  snapped  in  the  first  encounter.  As  he 
was  destitute  of  any  other  means  of  defence,  his  safety  nowde* 
pended  entirely  on  bodily  strength  and  resolution.  Though  de- 
ficient in  neither  of  these  qualities,  he  had  met  an  enemy  every 


7o 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


way  his  equal.  Happily,  he  soon  succeeded  in  disarming  his 
adversary,  whose  knife  fell  on  the  rock  at  their  feet ;  and 
from  this  moment  it  became  a  fierce  struggle  who  should  cast 
the  other  over  the  dizzy  height  into  a  neighboring  cavern  of 
the  falls.  Every  successive  struggle  brought  them  nearer  to 
the  verge,  where  Duncan  perceived  the  final  and  conquering 
effort  must  be  made.  Each  of  the  combatants  threw  all  his 
energies  into  that  effort,  and  the  result  was,  that  both  tottered 
on  the  brink  of  the  precipice.  Heyward  felt  the  grasp  of  the 
other  at  his  throat,  and  saw  the  grim  smile  the  savage  gave, 
under  the  revengeful  hope  that  he  hurried  his  enemy  to  a  fate 
similar  to  his  own,  as  he  felt  his  body  slowly  yielding  to  a  re- 
sistless power,  and  the  young  man  experienced  the  passing 
agony  of  such  a  moment  in  all  its  horrors.  At  that  instant  of 
extreme  danger,  a  dark  hand  and  glancing  knife  appeared  be- 
fore him  ;  the  Indian  released  his  hold,  as  the  blood  flowed 
freely  from  around  the  severed  tendons  of  his  wrist ;  and 
while  Duncan  was  drawn  backward  by  the  saving  arm  of 
Uncas,  his  charmed  eyes  were  still  riveted  on  the  fierce  and 
disappointed  countenance  of  his  foe,  who  fell  sullenly  and  dis- 
appointed down  the  irrecoverable  precipice. 

"  To  cover !  to  cover  ! "  cried  Hawk-eye,  who  just  then 
had  despatched  his  enemy ;  "  to  cover,  for  your  lives  !  the 
work  is  but  half  ended  !  " 

The  young  Mohican  gave  a  shout  of  triumph,  and,  followed 
by  Duncan,  he  glided  up  the  acclivity  they  had  descended  to 
the  combat,  and  sought  the  friendly  shelter  of  the  rocks  and 
shrubs. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

They  linger  yet, 
Avengers  of  their  native  land, 

GRAY. 

THE  warning  call  of  the  scout  was  not  uttered  without  oc 
casion.  During  the  occurrence  of  the  deadly  encounter  just 
related,  the  roar  of  the  falls  was  unbroken  by  any  human 
sound  whatever.  It  would  seem  that  interest  in  the  result 
had  kept  the  natives  on  the  opposite  shores  in  breathless  sus- 
pense, while  the  quick  evolutions  and  swift  changes  in  the 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  7  i 

positions  of  the  combatants,  effectually  prevented  a  fire  that 
might  prove  dangerous  alike  to  friend  and  enemy.  But  the 
moment  the  struggle  was  decided,  a  yell  rose  as  fierce  and 
savage  as  wild  and  revengeful  passions  could  throw  into  the 
air.  It  was  followed  by  the  swift  flashes  of  the  rifles,  whicn 
sent  their  leaden  messengers  across  the  rock  in  volleys,  as 
though  the  assailants  would  pour  out  their  impotent  fury  on 
the  insensible  scene  of  the  fatal  contest. 

A  steady,  though  deliberate  return  was  made  from  the  rifle 
of  Chingachgook,  who  had  maintained  his  post  throughout 
the  fray  with  unmoved  resolution.  When  the  triumphant 
shout  of  Uncas  was  borne  to  his  ears,  the  gratified  father 
raised  his  voice  in  a  single  responsive  cry,  after  which  his 
busy  piece  alone  proved  that  he  still  guarded  his  pass  with 
unwearied  diligence.  In  this  manner  many  minutes  flew  by 
with  the  swiftness  of  thought :  the  rifles  of  the  assailants 
speaking,  at  times,  in  rattling  volleys,  and  at  others,  in  occa- 
sional, scattering  shots.  Though  the  rocks,  the  trees,  and  the 
shrubs,  were  cut  and  torn  in  a  hundred  places  around  the  be 
sieged,  their  cover  was  so  close,  and  so  rigidly  maintained, 
that,  as  yet,  David  had  been  the  only  sufferer  in  their  little 
band. 

"  Let  them  burn  their  powder,"  said  the  deliberate  scout, 
while  bullet  after  bullet  whizzed  by  the  place  where  he  securely 
lay ;  "  there  will  be  a  fine  gathering  of  lead  when  it  is  over, 
and  I  fancy  the  imps  will  tire  of  the  sport,  afore  these  old 
stones  cry  out  for  mercy  !  Uncas,  boy,  you  waste  your  kernels 
by  overcharging  :  and  a  kicking  rifle  never  carries  a  true 
bullet.  I  told  you  to  take  that  loping  miscreant  under  the 
line  of  white  paint ;  now,  if  your  bullet  went  a  hair's  breadth, 
it  went  two  inches  above  it.  The  life  lies  low  in  a  Mingo,  and 
humanity  teaches  us  to  make  a  quick  end  of  the  sarpents." 

A  quiet  smile  lighted  the  haughty  features  of  the  young 
Mohican,  betraying  his  knowledge  of  the  English  language,  as 
well  as  of  the  other's  meaning  ;  but  he  suffered  it  to  pass 
away  without  vindication  or  reply. 

"  I  cannot  permit  you  to  accuse  Uncas  of  want  of  judg- 
ment or  of  skill,"  said  Duncan  ;  "  he  saved  my  life  in  the 
coolest  and  readiest  manner,  and  he  has  made  a  friend  who 
never  will  require  to  be  reminded  of  the  debt  he  owes." 

Uncas  partly  raised  his  body,  and  offered  his  hand  to  the 
grasp  of  Heyward.  During  this  act  of  friendship,  the  two 
young  men  exchanged  looks  of  intelligence  which  caused 
Duncan  to  forget  the  character  and  condition  of  his  wild  a* 


74  THE  LAS's-  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

sociate.  In  the  mean  while,  Hawk-eye,  who  looked  on  this 
burst  of  youthful  feeling  with  a  cool  but  kind  regard,  made  the 
following  reply  : — 

"  Life  is  an  obligation  which  friends  often  owe  to  each 
other  in  the  wilderness.  I  dare  say  I  may  have  served  Uncas 
some  such  turn  myself  before  now  ;  and  I  very  well  remember 
that  he  has  stood  between  me  and  death  five  different  times  ; 
three  times  from  the  Mingoes,  once  in  crossing  Horican, 
and—" 

"  That  bullet  was  better  aimed  than  common !  "  exclaimed 
Duncan,  involuntarily  shrinking  from  a  shot  which  struck  the 
rock  at  his  side  with  a  smart  rebound. 

Hawk-eye  laid  his  hand  on  the  shapeless  metal,  and 
shook  his  head,  as  he  examined  it,  saying,  "  Falling  lead  is 
never  flattened !  had  it  come  from  the  clouds  this  might  have 
happened." 

But  the  rifle  of  Uncas  was  deliberately  raised  towards  the 
heavens,  directing  the  eyes  of  his  companions  to  a  point,  where 
the  mystery  was  immediately  explained.  A  ragged  oak  grew 
on  the  right  bank  of  the  river,  nearly  opposite  to  their  posi- 
tion, which,  seeking  the  freedom  of  the  open  space,  had 
inclined  so  far  forward,  that  its  upper  branches  overhung 
that  arm  of  the  stream  which  flowed  nearest  to  its  own  shore. 
Among  the  topmost  leaves,  which  scantily  concealed  the 
gnarled  and  stunted  limbs,  a  savage  was  concealed  by  the 
trunk  of  the  tree,  and  partly  exposed,  as  though  looking  down 
upon  them  to  ascertain  the  effect  produced  by  his  treacherous 
aim. 

"  These  devils  will  scale  heaven  to  circumvent  us  to  our 
ruin,"  said  Hawk-eye  ;  "  keep  him  in  play,  boy,  until  I  can 
bring  '  kill-deer  '  to  bear,  when  we  will  try  his  metal  on  each 
side'of  the  tree  at  once." 

Uncas  delayed  his  fire  until  the  scout  uttered  the  word. 
Th*  rifles  flashed,  the  leaves  and  bark  of  the  oak  flew  into  the 
air,  and  were  scattered  by  the  wind,  but  the  Indian  answered 
their  assault  by  a  taunting  laugh,  sending  down  upon  them 
another  bullet  in  return,  that  struck  the  cap  of  Hawk-eye  from 
his  head.  Once  more  the  savage  yells  burst  out  of  the  woods, 
and  the  leaden  hail  whistled  above  the  heads  of  the  besieged, 
as  if  to  confine  them  to  a  place  where  they  might  become  easy 
victims  to  the  enterprise  of  the  warrior  who  had  mounted  the 
tree. 

"  This  must  be  looked  to,"  said  the  scout,  glancing  about 
him  with  an  anxious  eye.  "  Uncas,  call  up  your  father ;  we 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  73 

have  need  of  all  our  we'pons  to  bring  the  cunning  varment  from 
his  roost/' 

The  signal  was  instantly  given  ;  and,  before  Hawk-eye  had 
reloaded  his  rifle,  they  were  joined  by  Chingachgook.  When 
his  son  pointed  out  to  the  experienced  warrior  the  situation  oi 
their  dangerous  enemy,  the  usual  exclamatory  "  hugh  "  burst 
from  his  lips;  after  which,  no  further  expression  of  surprise 
or  alarm  was  suffered  to  escape  him.  Hawk-eye  and  the 
Mohicans  conversed  earnestly  together  in  Delaware  for  a  few 
moments,  when  each  quietly  took  his  post,  in  order  to  execute 
the  plan  they  had  speedily  devised. 

The  warrior  in  the  oak  had  maintained  a  quick,  though  in- 
effectual fire,  from  the  moment  of  his  discovery.  But  his  aim 
was  interrupted  by  the  vigilance  of  his  enemies,  whose  rifles 
instantaneously  bore  on  any  part  of  his  person  that  was  left 
exposed.  Still  his  bullets  fell  in  the  centre  of  the  crouching 
party.  The  clothes  of  Heyward,  which  rendered  him  pecu- 
liarly conspicuous,  were  repeatedly  cut,  and  once  blood  was 
drawn  from  a  slight  wound  in  his  arm. 

At  length,  emboldened  by  the  long  and  patient  watchful- 
ness of  his  enemies,  the  Huron  attempted  a  better  and  more 
fatal  aim.  The  quick  eye  of  the  Mohicans  caught  the  dark 
line  of  his  lower  limbs  incautiously  exposed  through  the  thin 
foliage,  a  few  inches  from  the  trunk  of  the  tree.  Their  rifles 
made  a  common  report,  when,  sinking  on  his  wounded  limb, 
part  of  the  body  of  the  savage  came  into  view.  Swift  as 
thought,  Hawk-eye  seized  the  advantage,  and  discharged  his 
fatal  weapon  into  the  top  of  the  oak.  The  leaves  were  un- 
usually agitated  ;  the  dangerous  rifle  fell  from  its  commanding 
elevation,  and  after  a  few  moments  of  vain  struggling,  the  form 
of  the  savage  was  seen  swinging  in  the  wind,  while  he  still 
grasped  a  ragged  and  naked  branch  of  the  tree,  with  hands 
clenched  in  desperation. 

"Give  him.  in  pity  give  him,  the  contents  of  another  rifle,'' 
cried  Duncan,  turning  away  his  eyes  in  horror  from  the  spec 
•"acle  of  a  fellow  creature  in  such  awful  jeopardy. 

"  Not  a  karnel  !  "  exclaimed  the  obdurate  Hawk-eye  ;  "  his 
death  is  certain,  and  we  have  no  powder  to  spare,  for  Indian 
fights  sometimes  lasts  for  days  ;  'tis  their  scalp  or  ours  !— and 
God,  who  made  us,  has  put  into  our  nature  the  craving  to 
keep  the  skin  on  the  head." 

Against  this  stern  and  unyielding  morality,  supported  as  it 
was  by  such  visible  policy,  there  was  no  appeal.  From  tha; 
moment  the  yells  in  the  forest  once  more  ceased,  the  fire  waa 


7 4  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

suffered  to  decline,  and  all  eyes,  those  of  friends  as  well  as 
enemies,  became  fixed  on  the  hopeless  condition  of  the  wretch 
who  was  dangling  between  heaven  and  earth.  The  body 
yielded  to  the  currents  of  air,  and  though  no  murmur  or  groan 
escaped  the  victim,  there  were  instants  when  he  grimly  faced 
his  foes,  and  the  anguish  of  cold  despair  might  be  traced, 
through  the  intervening  distance,  in  possession  of  his  swarthy 
lineaments.  Three  several  times  the  scout  raised  his  piece 
in  mercy,  and  as  often,  prudence  getting  the  better  of  his  in- 
tention, it  was  again  silently  lowered.  At  length  one  hand  of 
the  Huron  lost  its  hold,  and  dropped  exhausted  to  his  side. 
A  desperate  and  fruitless  struggle  to  recover  the  branch  suc- 
ceeded, and  then  the  savage  was  seen  for  a  fleeting  instant, 
grasping  wildly  at  the  empty  air.  The  lightning  is  not  quicker 
than  was  the  flame  from  the  rifle  of  Hawk-eye  ;  the  limbs  of 
the  victim  trembled  and  contracted,  the  head  fell  to  the  bosom, 
and  the  body  parted  the  foaming  waters  like  lead,  when  the 
element  closed  above  it,  in  its  ceaseless  velocity,  and  every 
vestige  of  the  unhappy  Huron  was  lost  forever. 

No  shout  of  triumph  succeeded  this  important  advantage, 
but  even  the  Mohicans  gazed  at  each  other  in  silent  horror. 
A  single  yell  burst  from  the  woods,  and  all  was  again  still. 
Hawk-eye,  who  alone  appeared  to  reason  on  the  occasion, 
shook  his  head  at  his  own  momentary  weakness,  even  utter- 
ing his  self-disapprobation  aloud. 

"  'Twas  the  last  charge  in  my  horn,  and  the  last  bullet  in 
my  pouch,  and  'twas  the  act  of  a  boy,"  he  said  ;  "  what  mat- 
tered it  whether  he  struck  the  rock  living  or  dead  ;  feeling  would 
soon  be  over.  Uncas,  lad,  go  down  to  the  canoe,  and  bring 
up  the  bighorn  ;  it  is  all  the  powder  we  have  left,  and  we  shall 
need  it  to  the  last  grain,  or  I  am  ignorant  of  the  Mingo  nature." 
The  young  Mohican  complied,  leaving  the  scout  turning 
over  the  useless  contents  of  his  pouch,  and  shaking  the  empty 
horn  with  renewed  discontent.  From  this  unsatisfactory  ex- 
amination, however,  he  was  soon  called  by  a  loud  and  pierc- 
ing exclamation  from  Uncas,  that  sounded,  even  to  the  un- 
practised ears  of  Duncan,  as  the  signal  of  some  new  and 
unexpected  calamity.  Every  thought  filled  with  apprehension 
for  the  precious  treasure  he  had  concealed  in  the  cavern,  the 
young  man  started  to  his  feet,  totally  regardless  of  the  hazard 
he  incurred  by  such  an  exposure.  As  if  actuated  by  a  com- 
mon impulse,  his  movement  was  imitated  by  his  companionSj 
and  together  they  rushed  down  the  pass  to  the  friendly  chasm, 
with  a  rapidity  that  rendered  the  scattering  fire  of  their  ene 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS  y^ 

rries  perfectly  harmless.  The  unwonted  cry  had  brought  the 
sisters,  together  with  the  wounded  David,  from  their  place  of 
refuge ;  and  the  whole  party,  at  a  single  glance,  was  made  ac- 
quainted with  -the  nature  of  the  disaster  that  had  disturbed 
even  the  practised  stoicism  of  their  youthful  Indian  protector. 

At  a  short  distance  from  the  rock,  their  little  bark  was  to 
be  seen  floating  across  the  eddy,  towards  the  swift  current  of 
the  river,  in  a  manner  which  proved  that  its  course  was  di- 
rected by  some  hidden  agent.  The  moment  this  unwelcome 
sight  caught  the  eye  of  the  scout,  his  rifle  was  levelled,  as  by 
instinct,  but  the  barrel  gave  no  answer  to  the  bright  sparks  of 
the  flint. 

"  Tis  too  late,  'tis  too  late  !  "  Hawk-eye  exclaimed,  drop- 
ping the  useless  piece  in  bitter  disappointment ;  the  miscre- 
ant has' struck  the  rapid  ;  and  had  we  powder,  it  could  hardly 
send  the  lead  swifter  than  he  now  goes." 

The  adventurous  Huron  raised  his  head  above  the  shelter 
of  the  canoe,  and  while  it  glided  swiftly  down  the  stream,  he 
waved  his  hand,  and  gave  forth  the  shout,  which  was  the 
known  signal  of  success.  His  cry  was  answered  by  a  yell  and 
a  laugh  from  the  woods,  as  tauntingly  exulting  as  if  fifty  de- 
mons were  uttering  their  blasphemies  at  the  fall  of  some 
Christian  soul. 

"  Well  may  you  laugh,  ye  children  of  the  devil,"  said  the 
scout,  seating  himself  on  a  projection  of  the  rock,  and  suffer- 
ing his  gun  to  fall  neglected  at  his  feet,  "  for  the  three  quickest 
and  truest  rifles  in  these  woods  are  no  better  than  so  many 
stalks  of  mullen,  or  the  last  year's  horns  of  a  buck." 

**  What  is  to  be  done  ? "  demanded  Duncan,  losing  the 
first  feeling  of  disappointment  in  a  more  manly  desire  for  ex- 
ertion ;  what  will  become  of  us  ?  " 

Hawk-eye  made  no  other  reply  than  by  passing  his  finger 
around  the  crown  of  his  head,  in  a  manner  so  significant,  that 
none  who  witnessed  the  action  could  mistake  its  meaning. 

"  Surely,  surely,  our  case  is  not  so  desperate  ! "  exclaimed 
the  youth  ;  "  the  Hurons  are  not  here  ;  we  may  make  good 
the  caverns  ;  we  may  oppose  their  landing." 

"  With  what  ?  "  coolly  demanded  the  scout.  "  The  arrows 
of  Uncas,  or  such  tears  as  women  sfied  !  No,  no  ;  you  are 
young,  and  rich,  and  have  friends,  and  at  such  an  age  I 
know  it  is  hard  to  die  ;  but,"  glancing  his  eyes  at  the  Mohi- 
cans, "  let  us  remember  we  are  men  without  a  cross,  and  let 
us  teach  these  natives  of  the  forest,  that  white  blood  can  rup 
as  freely  as  red,  when  the  appointed  hour  is  come." 


y 6  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

Duncan  turned  quickly  in  the  direction  indicated  by  the 
other's  eyes,  and  read  a  confirmation  of  his  worst  apprehensions 
in  the  conduct  of  the  Indians.  Chingachgook,  placing  him- 
self in  a  dignified  posture  on  another  fragment  of  the  rock, 
had  already  laid  aside  his  knife  and  tomahawk,  and  was  in 
the  act  of  taking  the  eagle's  plume  from  his  head  and  smooth- 
ing the  solitary  tuft  of  hair  in  readiness  to  perform  its  las! 
and  revolting  office.  His  countenance  was  composed,  though 
thoughtful,  while  his  dark,  gleaming  eyes  were  gradually  losing 
the  fierceness  of  the  combat  in  an  expression  better  suited  to 
the  change  he  expected  momentarily  to  undergo. 

"  Our  case  is  not,  cannot  be  so  hopeless,"  said  Duncan  ; 
"  even  at  this  very  moment  succor  may  be  at  hand.  I  see  no 
enemies  !  they  have  sickened  of  a  struggle  in  which  they  risk 
so  much  with  so  little  prospect  of  gain." 

"  It  may  be  a  minute,  or  it  may  be  an  hour,  afore  the  why 
sarpents  steal  upon  us,  and  it  is  quite  in  natur'  for  them  .to  be 
lying  within  hearing  at  this  very  moment,"  said  Hawk-eye  j 
"  but  come  they  will,  and  in  such  a  fashion  as  will  leave  us 
nothing  to  hope.  Chingachgook," — he  spoke  in  Delaware — 
"  my  brother,  we  have  fought  our  last  battle  together,  and  the 
Maquas  will  triumph  in  the  death  of  the  sage  man  of  the  Mo- 
hicans, and  of  the  pale  face,  whose  eyes  can  make  night  as 
day,  and  level  the  clouds  to  the  mists  of  the  springs." 

"  Let  the  Mingo  women  go  weep  over  their  slain !  "  re- 
turned the  Indian,  with  characteristic  pride  and  unmoved 
firmness  ;  "  the  Great  Snake  of  the  Mohicans  has  coiled  him- 
self in  their  wigwams,  and  has  poisoned  their  triumph  with 
the  wailings  of  children,  whose  fathers  have  not  returned  ! 
Eleven  warriors  lie  hid  from  the  graves  of  their  tribes  since  the 
snows  have  melted,  and  none  will  tell  where  to  find  them  when 
the  tongue  of  Chingachgook  shall  be  silent !  Let  them  draw 
the  sharpest  knife,  and  whirl  the  swiftest  tomahawk,  for  their 
bitterest  enemy  is  in  their  hands.  Uncas,  topmost  branch  of 
a  noble  trunk,  call  on  the  cowards  to  hasten  or  their  hearts 
will  soften,  and  they  will  change  to  women !  " 

"  They  look  among  the  fishes  for  their  dead  !  "  returned 
the  low,  soft  voice  of  the  youthful  chieftain  ;  "  the  Hurons 
float  with  the  slimy  eels  i»  They  drop  from  the  oaks  like  fruit 
that  is  ready  to  be  eaten  !  and  the  Delawares  laugh  !  " 

"  Ay,  ay,"  muttered  the  scout,  who  had  listened  to  this 
peculiar  burst  of  the  natives  with  deep  attention  ;  "  they  have 
warmed  their  Indian  feelings,  and  they'll  soon  provoke  the 
Maquas  to  give  them  a  speedy  end.  As  for  me,  who  am  ol 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  77 

the  whole  blood  of  the  whites,  it  is  befitting  that  I  should 
die  as  becomes  my  color,  with  no  words  of  scoffing  in  my 
mouth,  and  without  bitterness  at  the  heart ! " 

"  Why  die  at  all  !  "  said  Cora,  advancing  from  the  place 
where  natural  horror  had,  until  the  moment,  held  her  riveted 
to  the  rock  ;  "  the  path  is  open  on  every  side  ;  fly,  then,  to 
the  woods,  and  call  on  God  for  succor !  Go,  brave  men,  we 
owe  you  too  much  already ;  let  us  no  longer  involve  you  in 
our  hapless  fortunes  !  " 

"You  but  little  know  the  craft  of  the  Iroquois,  lady,  if  you 
judge  they  have  left  the  path  open  to  the  woods  !  "  returned 
Hawk-eye,  who,  however,  immediately  added  in  his  simplicity  : 
"  the  down  stream  current,  it  is  certain,  might  soon  sweep  us 
beyond  the  reach  of  their  rifles  or  the  sound  of  their  voices." 

"  Then  try  the  river.  W7hy  linger,  to  add  to  the  number 
of  the  victims  of  our  merciless  enemies  ?  " 

"  Why,"  repeated  the  scout,  looking  about  him  proudly, 
"  because  it  is  better  for  a  man  to  die  at  peace  with  himself 
than  to  live  haunted  by  an  evil  conscience !  What  answer 
could  we  give  Munro,  when  he  asked  us  where  and  how  we 
Jeft  his  children?" 

"  Go  to  him,  and  say,  that  you  left  them  with  a  message 
to  hasten  to  their  aid,"  returned  Cora,  advancing  nigher  to 
the  scout,  in  her  generous  ardor;  "that  the  Hurons  bear  them 
into  the  northern  wilds,  but  that  by  vigilance  and  speed  they 
may  yet  be  rescued  ;  and  if,  after  all,  it  should  please  heaven 
that  his  assistance  come  too  late,  bear  to  him,"  she.  continued, 
her  voice  gradually  lowering,  until  it  seemed  nearly  choked, 
"  the  blessings,  the  final  prayers  of  his  daughters,  and  bid  him 
not  mourn  their  early  fate,  but  to  look  forward  with  humble 
confidence  to  the  Christian's  goal  to  meet  his  children." 

The  hard,  weather-beaten  features  of  the  scout  began  to 
work,  and  when  she  had  ended,  he  dropped  his  chin  to  his 
hand,  like  a  man  musing  profoundly  on  the  nature  of  the 
proposal. 

"  There  is  reason  in  her  words  !  "  at  length  broke  from 
his  compressed  and  trembling  lips  ;  "  ay,  and  they  bear  the 
spirit  of  Christianity  ;  what  might  be  right  and  proper  in  a 
red  skin,  may  be  sinful  in  a  man  who  has  not  even  a  cross  in 
blood  to  plead  for  his  ignorance.  Chingachgook !  Uncas ! 
hear  you  the  talk  of  the  dark-eyed  woman  ?  " 

He  now  spoke  in  Delaware  to  his  companions,  and  his 
address,  though  calm  and  deliberate,  seemed  very  decided, 
The  elder  Mohican  heard  him  with  deep  gravity,  and  appeared 


j%  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

to  ponder  on  his  words,  as  though  he  felt  the  important  oi 
their  import.  After  a  moment  of  hesitation,  he  waved  his 
hand  in  assent,  and  uttered  the  English  word  "  Good,"  with 
the  peculiar  emphasis  of  his  people.  Then,  placing  his  knife 
and  tomahawk  in  his  girdle,  the  warrior  moved  silently  to  the 
edge  of  the  rock  which  was  most  concealed  from  the  banks 
of  the  river.  Here  he  paused  a  moment,  pointing  significantly 
to  the  woods  below,  and  saying  a  few  words  in  his  own  Ian 
guage,  as  if  indicating  his  intended  route,  he  dropped  into  the 
water,  and  sank  from  before  the  eyes  of  the  witnesses  of  his 
movements. 

The  scout  delayed  his  departure  to  speak  to  the  generous 
girl,  whose  breathing  became  lighter  as  she  saw  the  success 
of  her  remonstrance. 

"  Wisdom  is  sometimes  given  to  the  young,  as  well  as  to 
the  old,"  he  said  ;  "  and  what  you  have  spoken  is  wise,  not 
to  call  it  by  a  better  word.  If  you  are  led  into  the  woods, 
that  is  such  of  you  as  may  be  spared  for  a  while,  break  the 
twigs  on  the  bushes  as  you  pass,  and  make  the  marks  of  your 
trail  as  broad  as  you  can,  when,  if  mortal  eyes  can  see  them, 
depend  on  having  a  friend  who  will  follow  to  the  ends  of  the 
'arth  afore  he  desarts  you." 

He  gave  Cora  an  affectionate  shake  of  the  hand,  lifted  his 
rifle,  and  after  regarding  it  a  moment  with  melancholy  solic- 
itude, laid  it  carefully  aside,  and  descended  to  the  place 
where  Chingachgook  had  just  disappeared.  For  an  instant 
he  hung  suspended  by  the  rock  ;  and  looking  about  him,  with 
a  countenance  of  peculiar  care,  he  added,  bitterly,  "  Had  the 
powder  held  out,  this  disgrace  could  never  have  befallen ! " 
then,  loosening  his  hold,  the  water  closed  above  his  head, 
and  he  also  became  lost  to  view. 

All  eyes  were  now  turned  on  Uncas,  who  stood  leaning 
against  the  ragged  rock,  in  immovable  composure.  After 
waiting  a  short  time,  Cora  pointed  down  the  river,  and 
said : — 

"Your  friends  have  not  been  seen,  and  are  now,  mostprob 
ably,  in  safety  ;  is  it  not  time  for  you  to  follow  ?  " 

"  Uncas  will  stay,"  the  young  Mohican  calmly  answered 
in  English. 

"To  increase  the  horror  of  our  capture,  and  to  diminish 
the  chances  of  our  release  !  Go,  generous  young  man,"  Cora, 
continued,  lowering  her  eyes  under  the  gaze  of  the  Mohican, 
and,  perhaps,  with  an  intuitive  consciousness  of  her  power  ; 
4*  go  to  my  father,  as  I  have  said,  and  be  the  most  confidential 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


79 


of  my  messengers.  Tell  him  to  trust  you  with  the  means  to 
buy  the  freedom  of  his  daughters.  Go  !  'tis  my  wish,  'tis  my 
prayer,  that  you  will  go  !  " 

The  settled,  calm  look  of  the  young  chief  changed  to  an 
expression  of  gloom,  but  he  no  longer  hesitated.  With  a 
noiseless  step  he  crossed  the  rock,  and  dropped  into  the 
troubled  stream.  Hardly  a  breath  was  drawn  by  those  he 
left  behind,  until  they  caught  a  glimpse  of  his  head  emerging 
for  air,  far  down  the  current,  when  he  again  sank,  and  was 
seen  no  more. 

These  sudden  and  apparently  successful  experiments  had 
all  taken  place  in  a  few  minutes  of  that  time  which  had  now 
become  so  precious.  After  the  last  look  at  Uncas,  Cora 
turned,  and,  with  a  quivering  lip,  addressed  herself  to  Hey 
ward  : — 

"  I  have  heard  of  your  boasted  skill  in  the  water,  too, 
Duncan,"  she  said ;  "  follow,  then,  the  wise  example  set  you 
by  these  simple  and  faithful  beings." 

"  Is  such  the  faith  that  Cora  Munro  would  exact  from  her 
protector  ?  "  said  the  young  man,  smiling  mournfully,  but  with 
bitterness. 

"  This  is  not  a  time  for  idle  subtleties  and  false  opinions," 
she  answered  ;  "  but  a  moment  when  every  duty  should  be 
equally  considered.  To  us  you  can  be  of  no  further  service 
here,  but  your  precious  life  may  be  saved  for  other  and  nearer 
friends." 

He  made  no  reply,  though  his  eyes  fell  wistfully  on  the 
beautiful  form  of  Alice,  who  was  clinging  to  his  arm  with  the 
dependency  of  an  infant. 

"  Consider,"  continued  Cora,  after  a  pause,  during  which 
she  seemed  to  struggle  with  a  pang  even  more  acute  than  any 
that  her  fears  had  excited,  "  that  the  worst  to  us  can  oe  but 
death ;  a  tribute  that  all  must  pay  at  the  good  time  of  God's 
appointment." 

"  There  are  evils  worse  than  death,"  said  Duncan,  speaking 
hoarsely,  and  as  if  fretful  at  her  importunity,  "  but  which  the 
presence  of  one  who  would  die  in  your  behalf  may  avert." 

Cora  ceased  her  entreaties  ;  and,  veiling  her  face  in  her 
shawl,  drew  the  nearly  insensible  Alice  after  her  into  the 
deepest  recess  of  the  inner  cavern. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICAN& 


CHAPTER  IX. 

"  Be  gay  securely ; 

spel,  my  fair,  with  smiles,  the  tim'rous  donds, 
That  hang  on  thy  clear  brow." 

DEATH  OF  AGRIPPIMA. 

THE  sudden  and  almost  magical  change,  from  the  stirring 
incidents  of  the  combat  to  the  stillness  that  now  reigned 
around  him,  acted  on  the  heated  imagination  of  Heyward  like 
some  exciting  dream.  While  all  the  images  and  events  he 
had  witnessed  remained  deeply  impressed  on  his  memory,  he 
felt  a  difficulty  in  persuading  himself  of  their  truth.  Still  ig- 
norant of  the  fate  of  those  who  had  trusted  to  the  aid  of  the 
swift  current,  he  at  first  listened  intently  to  any  signal,  or 
sounds  of  alarm,  which  might  announce  the  good  or  evil  for 
tune  of  their  hazardous  undertaking.  His  attention  was; 
however,  bestowed  in  vain ;  for,  with  the  disappearance  of 
Uncas,  every  sign  of  the  adventurers  had  been  lost,  leaving 
him  in  total  uncertainty  of  their  fate. 

In  a  moment  of  such  painful  doubt,  Duncan  did  not  hes- 
itate to  look  about  him,  without  consulting  that  protection 
from  the  rocks  which  just  before  had  been  so  necessary  to 
his  safety.  Every  effort,  however,  to  detect  the  least  evi- 
dence of  the  approach  of  their  hidden  enemies,  was  as  fruit- 
less as  the  inquiry  after  his  late  companions.  The  wooded 
banks  of  the  rivers  seemed  again  deserted  by  everything  pos- 
sessing animal  life.  The  uproar  which  had  so  lately  echoed 
through  the  vaults  of  the  forest  was  gone,  leaving  the  rush 
of  the  waters  to  swell  and  sink  on  the  currents  of  the  air,  in 
the  unmingled  sweetness  of  nature.  A  fish-hawk,  which, 
secure  on  the  topmost  branches  of  a  dead  pine,  had  been  a 
distant  spectator  of  the  fray,  now  stooped  from  his  high  and 
ragged  perch,  and  soared,  in  wide  sweeps,  above  his  prey ; 
while  a  jay,  whose  noisy  voise  had  been  stilled  by  the 
hoarser  cries  of  the  savages,  ventured  again  to  open  his  dis- 
cordant throat,  as  though  once  more  in  undisturbed  possession 
of  his  wild  domains.  Duncan  caught  from  these  natural  ac- 
companiments of  the  solitary  scene  a  glimmering  of  hope , 
and  he  began  to  rally  his  faculties  to  renewed  exertions,  with 
something  like  a  reviving  confidence  of  success. 

"  The  Hui«ons  are  not  to  be  seen,"  he  said,   addressing 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  8l 

David,  who  had  by  no  means  recovered  trom  the  effects  of 
the  stunning  blow  he  had  received  ;  "  let  us  conceal  ourselves 
in  the  cavern,  and  trust  the  rest  to  Providence." 

"  I  remember  to  have  united  with  two  comely  maidens,  in 
lifting  up  our  voices  in  praise  and  thanksgiving,"  returned  the 
bewildered  singing-master ;  "  since  which  time  I  have  been 
visited  by  a  heavy  judgment  for  my  sins.  I  have  been 
mocked  with  the  likeness  of  sleep,  while  sounds  of  discord 
have  rent  my  ears,  such  as  might  manifest  the  fulness  of  time, 
and  that  nature  had  forgotten  her  harmony." 

"  Poor  fellow  !  thine  own  period  was,  in  truth,  near  its  ac- 
complishment !  But  arouse,  and  come  with  me ;  I  will  lead 
you  where  all  other  sounds  but  those  of  your  own  psalmody 
shall  be  excluded." 

"  There  is  melody  in  the  fall  of  the  cataract,  and  the 
rushing  of  many  waters  is  sweet  to  the  senses.  "  said  David, 
pressing  his  hand  confusedly  on  his  brow.  "  Is  not  the  air 
yet  filled  with  shrieks  and  cries,  as  though  the  departed 
spirits  of  the  damned — " 

"  Not  now,  not  now,"  interruputed  the  impatient  Heyward. 
"  they  have  ceased,  and  they  who  raised  them,  I  trust  in  God, 
they  are  gone,  too  ;  everything  but  the  water  is  still  and  at 
peace  ;  in,  then,  where  you  may  create  those  sounds  you  love 
so  well  to  hear." 

David  smiled  sadly,  though  not  without  a  momentary 
gleam  of  pleasure,  at  this  allusion  to  his  beloved  vocation. 
He  no  longer  hesitated  to  be  led  to  a  spot  which  promised 
such  unalloyed  gratification  to  his  wearied  senses ;  and, 
leaning  on  the  arm  of  his  companion  he  entered  the  narrow 
mouth  of  the  cave.  Duncan  seized  a  pile  of  the  sassafras, 
which  he  drew  before  the  passage,  studiously  concealing  every 
appearance  of  an  aperture.  Within  this  fragile  barrier  he  ar- 
ranged the  blankets  abandoned  by  the  foresters,  darkening 
the  inner  extremity  of  the  cavern,  while  its  outer  received  a 
chastened  light  from  the  narrow  ravine,  through  which  one 
arm  of  the  river  rushed,  to  form  the  junction  with  its  sistei 
branch,  a  few  rods  below. 

"  I  like  not  that  principle  of  the  natives,  which  teaches 
them  to  submit  without  a  struggle,  in  emergencies  that  appear 
desperate,"  he  said,  while  busied  in  this  employment ;  "  oui 
own  maxim,  which  says,  '  while  life  remains  there  is  hope,'  ia 
more  consoling,  and  better  suited  to  a  soldier's  temperament. 
To,  you,  Cora,  I  will  urge  no  words  of  idle  encouragement ; 
your  own  fortitude  and  undisturbed  reason  will  teach  you  all 

6 


£2  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

that  may  become  your  sex,  but  cannot  we  dry  the  tears  of  that 
trembling  weeper  on  your  bosom  ?  " 

"  I  am  calmer,  Duncan,"  said  Alice,  raising  herself  from 
the  arms  of  her  sister,  and  forcing  an  appearance  of  composure 
through  her  tears  ;  "  much  calmer,  now.  Surely  in  this  hidden 
spot  we  are  safe,  we  are  secret,  free  from  injury  ;  we  will  hope 
everything  from  those  generous  men  who  have  risked  so  much 
already  in  our  behalf." 

"  Now  does  our  gentle  Alice  speak  like  a  daughter  of 
Munro  ! "  said  Heyward,  pausing  to  press  her  hand  as  he 
passed  towards  the  outer  entrance  of  the  cavern.  "  With  two 
such  examples  of  courage  before  him,  a  man  would  be  ashamed 
to  prove  other  than  a  hero."  He  then  seated  himself  in  the 
centre  of  the  cavern,  grasping  his  remaining  pistol  with  a  hand 
convulsively  clenched,  while  his  contracting  and  frowning  eye 
announced  the  sullen  desperation  of  his  purpose.  "  The 
Hurons,  if  they  come,  may  not  gain  our  position  so  easily  as 
they  think,"  he  lowly  muttered  ;  and  dropping  his  head  back 
against  the  rock,  he  seemed  to  await  the  result  in  patience, 
though  his  gaze  was  unceasingly  bent  on  the  open  avenue  to 
their  place  of  retreat. 

With  the  last  sound  of  his  voice,  a  deep,  along,  and  almost 
breathless  silence  succeeded.  The  fresh  air  of  the  morning 
had  penetrated  the  recess,  and  its  influence  was  gradually  felt 
on  the  spirits  of  its  inmates.  As  minute  after  minute  passed 
by,  leaving  them  in  undisturbed  security,  the  insinuating  feel- 
ing of  hope  was  gradually  gaining  possession  of  every  bosom, 
though  each  one  felt  reluctant  to  give  utterance  to  expecta- 
tions that  the  next  moment  might  so  fearfully  destroy. 

David  alone  formed  an  exception  to  these  varying  emo- 
tions. A  gleam  of  light  from  the  opening  crossed  his  wan 
countenance,  and  fell  upon  the  pages  of  the  little  volume, 
whose  leaves  he  was  again  occupied  in  turning,  as  if  searching 
for  some  song  more  fitted  to  their  condition  than  any  that  had 
yet  met  his  eye.  He  was,  most  probably,  acting  all  this  time 
under  a  confused  recollection  of  the  promised  consolation  of 
Duncan.  At  length,  it  would  seem,  his  patient  industry  found 
its  reward ;  for,  without  explanation  or  apology,  he  pronounced 
aloud  the  words  "  Isle  of  Wight,"  drew  a  long,  sweet  sound 
from  his  pitch-pipe,  and  then  ran  through  the  preliminary 
modulations  of  the  air,  whose  name  he  had  just  mentioned, 
with  the  sweeter  tones  of  his  own  musical  voice. 

"  May  not  this  prove  dangerous  ?  "  asked  Cora,  glancing 
her  dark  «ye  at  Major  Heyward. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  83 

!<  Poor  fellow  !  his  voice  is  too  feeble  to  be  heard  amid  the 
din  of  the  falls,"  was  the  answer ;  "  besides  the  cavern  will 
prove  his  friend.  Let  him  indulge  his  passion,  since  it  may 
be  done  without  hazard." 

"  Isle  of  Wight  ! "  repeated  David,  looking  about  him 
with  that  dignity  with  which  he  had  long  been  wont  to  silence 
the  whispering  echoes  of  his  school ;  "  'tis  a  brave  tune,  and 
set  to  solemn  words ;  let  it  be  sung  with  meet  respect !  " 

After  allowing  a  moment  of  stillness  to  enforce  his  dis- 
cipline, the  voice  of  the  singer  was  heard,  in  low,  murmuring 
syllables,  gradually  stealing  on  the  ear,  until  it  filled  the  nar- 
row vault  with  sounds  rendered  trebly  thrilling  by  the  feeble 
and  tremulous  utterance  produced  by  his  debility.  The  mel- 
ody, which  no  weakness  could  destroy,  gradually  wrought  its 
sweet  influence  on  the  senses  of  those  who  heard  it.  It  even 
prevailed  over  the  miserable  travesty  of  the  song  of  David 
which  the  singer  had  selected  from  a  volume  of  similar  effu- 
sions, and  caused  the  sense  to  be  forgotten  in  the  insinuating 
harmony  of  the  sounds.  Alice  unconsciously  dried  her  tears, 
and  bent  her  melting  eyes  on  the  pallid  features  of  Gamut, 
with  an  expression  of  chastened  delight  that  she  neither  af- 
fected nor  wished  to  conceal.  Cora  bestowed  an  approving 
smile  on  the  pious  efforts  of  the  namesake  of  the  Jewish 
prince,  and  Heyward  soon  turned  his  steady,  stern  look  from 
the  outlet  of  the  cavern,  to  fasten  it,  with  a  milder  character, 
on  the  face  of  David,  or  to  meet  the  wandering  beams  which 
at  moments  strayed  from  the  humid  eyes  of  Alice.  The  open 
sympathy  of  the  listeners  stirred  the  spirit  of  the  votary  of 
music,  whose  voice  regained  its  richness  and  volume,  without 
losing  that  touching  softness  which  proved  its  secret  charm. 
Exerting  his  renovated  powers  to  their  utmost,  he  was  yet  fill- 
ing the  arches  of  the  cave  with  long  and  full  tones,  when  a 
yell  burst  into  the  air  without,  that  instantly  stilled  his  pious 
strains,  choking  his  voice  suddenly,  as  though  his  heart  had 
literally  bounded  into  the  passage  of  his  throat. 

u  We  are  lost !  "  exclaimed  Alice  throwing  herself  into  the 
arms  of  Cora. 

"Not  yet,  not  yet,"  returned  the  agitated  but  undaunted 
Heyward ;  "  the  sound  came  from  the  centre  of  the  island, 
and  it  has  been  produced  by  the  sight  of  their  dead  compan- 
ions. We  are  not  yet  discovered,  and  there  is  still  hope." 

Faint  and  almost  despairing  as  was  the  prospect  of  escape, 
tne  words  of  Duncan  were  not  thrown  away,  for  it  awakened 
the  powers  of  the  sisters  in  such  a  manner,  that  they  awaited 


LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

the  result  in  silence.  A  second  yell  soon  followed  the  first 
when  a  rush  of  voices  was  heard  pouring  down  the  island, 
from  its  upper  to  its  lower  extremity,  until  they  reached  the 
naked  rock  above  the  caverns,  where,  after  a  shout  of  savage 
triumph,  the  air  continued  full  of  horrible  cries  and  screams, 
such  as  man  alone  can  utter,  and  he  only  when  in  a  state  o* 
the  fiercest  barbarity. 

The  sounds  quickly  spread  around  them  in  every  direction 
Some  called  to  their  fellows  from  the  water's  edge,  and  were 
answered  from  the  heights  above.  Cries  were  heard  in  the 
startling  vicinity  of  the  chasm  between  the  two  caves,  which 
mingled  with  hoarser  yells  that  arose  out  of  the  abyss  of  the 
deep  ravine.  In  short,  so  rapidly  had  the  savage  sounds  dif 
fused  themselves  over  the  barren  rock,  that  it  was  not  diffi- 
cult for  the  anxious  listeners  to  imagine  they  could  be  heard 
beneath,  as  in  truth  they  were  above,  and  on  every  side  of 
them. 

In  the  midst  of  this  tumult,  a  triumphant  yell  was  raised 
within  a  few  yards  of  the  hidden  entrance  to  the  cave.  Hey- 
ward  abandoned  every  hope,  with  the  belief  that  it  was  the 
signal  that  they  were  discovered.  Again  the  impression 
passed  away,  as  he  heard  the  voices  collect  near  the  spot 
where  the  -white  man  had  so  reluctantly  abandoned  his  rifle. 
Amid  the  jargon  of  the  Indian  dialects  that  he  now  plainly 
heard,  it  was  easy  to  distinguish  not  only  words,  but  sen- 
tences, in  the  patois  of  the  Canadas.  A  burst  of  voices  had 
shouted  simultaneously,  "  La  longue  Carabine  !  "  causing  the 
opposite  woods  to  re-echo  with  a  name  which,  Heyward  well 
remembered,  had  been  given  by  his  enemies  to  a  celebrated 
hunter  and  scout  of  the  English  camp,  and  who  he  now  learnt 
for  the  first  time,  had  been  his  late  companion. 

"  La  longue  Carabine  !  la  longue  Carabine  !  "  passed  from 
mouth  to  mouth,  until  the  whole  band  appeared  to  be  collected 
around  a  trophy  which  would  seem  to  announce  the  death  of 
its  formidable  owner.  After  a  vociferous  consultation,  which 
was,  at  times,  deafened  by  bursts  of  savage  joy,  they  again 
separated,  filling  the  air  with  the  name  of  a  foe,  whose  body, 
Heyward  could  collect  from  their  expressions,  they  hoped  to 
find  concealed  in  some  crevice  of  the  island. 

"  Now,"  he  whispered  to  the  trembling  sisters.  "  now  is 
the  moment  of  uncertainty  !  if  our  place  of  retreat  escape  this 
scrutiny,  we  are  still  safe  !  In  every  event,  we  are  assured, 
by  what  has  fallen  from  our  enemies,  that  our  friends  have 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  85 

escaped,  and  in  two  short  hours  we  may  look  for  succor  from 
Webb." 

There  were  now  a  few  minutes  of  fearful  stillness,  during 
which  Heyward  well  knew  that  the  savages  conducted  their 
search  with  greater  vigilance  and  method.  More  than  once 
he  could  distinguish  their  footsteps,  as  they  brushed  the  sas- 
safras, causing  the  faded  leaves  to  rustle,  and  the  branches  to 
snap.  At  length  the  pile  yielded  a  little,  a  corner  of  a 
blanket  fell,  and  a  faint  ray  of  light  gleamed  into  the  innei 
part  of  the  cave.  Cora  folded  Alice  to  her  bosom  in  agony, 
and  Duncan  sprang  to  his  feet.  A  shout  was  at  that  moment 
heard,  as  if  .issuing  from  the  centre  of  the  rock,  announcing 
that  the  neighboring  cavern  had  at  length  been  entered.  In 
a  minute,  the  number  and  loudness  of  the  voices  indicated 
that  the  whole  party  was  collected  in  and  around  that  secret 
place. 

As  the  inner  passages  of  the  two  caves  were  so  close 
to  each  other,  Duncan,  believing  that  escape  was  no  longer 
possible,  passed  David  and  the  sisters,  to  place  himself  be- 
tween the  latter  and  the  first  onset  of  the  terrible  meeting. 
Grown  desperate  by  his  situation,  he  drew  nigh  the  slight 
barrier  which  separated  him  only  by  a  few  feet  from  his  re- 
lentless pursuers,  and  placing  his  face  to  the  casual  opening, 
he  even  looked  out,  with  a  sort  of  desperate  indifference,  on 
their  movements. 

Within  reach  of  his  arm  was  the  brawny  shoulder  of  a 
gigantic  Indian,  whose  deep  and  authoritative  voice  appeared 
to  give  directions  to  the  proceedings  of  his  fellows.  Beyond 
him  again,  Duncan  could  look  into  the  vault  opposite,  which 
was  filled  with  savages,  upturning  and  rifling  the  humble 
furniture  of  the  scout.  The  wound  of  David  had  died  the  leaves 
of  sassafras  with  a  color  that  the  natives  well  knew  was  antici- 
pating the  season.  Over  this  sign  of  their  success,  they  set 
up  a  howl,  like  an  opening  from  so  many  hounds  who  had  re- 
covered a  lost  trail.  After  this  yell  of  victory,  they  tore  up 
the  fragrant  bed  of  the  cavern,  and  bore  the  branches  into 
the  chasm,  scattering  the  boughs,  as  if  they  suspected  them 
of  concealing  the  person  of  the  man  they  had  so  long  hated 
and  feared.  One  fierce  and  wild-looking  warrior  approached 
the  chief,  bearing  a  load  of  the  brush,  and  pointing,  exultingly, 
to  the  deep  red  stains  with  which  it  was  sprinkled,  uttered  his 
joy  in  Indian  yells,  whose  meaning  Heyward  was  only  enabled 
to  comprehend  by  the  frequent  repetition  of  the  name  of  "  La 
longue  Carabine  !  "  When  his  triumph  had  ceased,  he  cast 


86  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICAN'S. 

the  brush  on  the  slight  heap  that  Duncan  had  made  before 
the  entrance  of  the  second  cavern,  and  closed  the  view.  His 
example  was  followed  by  others,  who,  as  they  drew  the 
branches  from  the  cave  of  the  scout,  threw  them  into  one  pile, 
adding,  unconsciously,  to  the  security  of  those  they  sought. 
The  very  slightness  of  the  defence  was  its  chief  merit,  for  no 
one  thought  of  disturbing  a  mass  of  brush,  which  all  of  them 
believed,  in  that  moment  of  hurry  and  confusion,  had  been  ac- 
cidentally raised  by  the  hands  of  their  own  party. 

As  the  blankets-  yielded  before  the  outward  pressure,  and 
the  branches  settled  in  the  fissure  of  the  rock  by  their  own 
weight,  forming  a  compact  body,  Duncan  once  more  breathed 
freely.  With  a  light  step,  and  lighter  heart,  he  returned  to 
the  centre  of  the  cave,  and  took  the  place  he  had  left,  where 
he  could  command  a  view  of  the  opening  next  the  river. 
While  he  was  in  the  act  of  making  this  movement,  the  Indians, 
as  if  changing  their  purpose  by  a  common  impulse,  broke 
away  from  the  chasm  in  a  body,  and  were  heard  rushing  up 
the  island  again,  towards  the  point  whence  they  had  origi- 
nally descended.  Here  another  wailing  cry  betrayed  that  they 
were  again  collecting  around  the  bodies  of  their  dead  com- 
rades. 

Duncan  now  ventured  to  look  at  his  companions  \  for,  during 
the  most  critical  moments  of  their  danger,  he  had  been  ap- 
prehensive that  the  anxiety  of  his  countenance  might  commu- 
nicate some  additional  alarm  to  those  who  were  so  little  able 
to  sustain  it. 

"  They  are  gone,  Cora,"  he  whispered  ;  "  Alice,  they  are 
returned  whence  they  came,  and  we  are  saved.  To  heaven, 
that  has  alone  delivered  us  from  the  grasp  of  so  merciless  an 
enemy,  be  all  the  praise  !  " 

"  Then  to  heaven  will  I  return  my  thanks,"  exclaimed  the 
younger  sister,  rising  from  the  encircling  arms  of  Cora,  and 
casting  herself  with  enthusiastic  gratitude  on  the  naked  rock  • 
"  to  that  heaven  who  has  spared  the  tears  of  a  gray-headed 
father,  has  saved  the  lives  of  those  I  so  much  love — " 

Both  Heyward  and  the  more  even-tempered  Cora  witnessed 
the  act  of  involuntary  emotion  with  powerful  sympathy,  the 
former  secretly  believing  that  piety  had  never  worn  a  form  so 
lovely  as  it  had  now  assumed  in  the  youthful  person  of  Alice. 
Her  eyes  were  radiant  with  the  glow  of  grateful  feelings  ;  the 
flush  of  her  beauty  was  again  seated  on  her  cheeks,  and  her 
whole  soul  seemed  ready  and  anxious  to  pour  out  its  thanks- 
givings, through  the  medium  of  her  eloquent  features.  But 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  87 

when  her  lips  moved,  the  words  they  should  have  utteied  ap- 
peared frozen  by  some  new  and  sudden  chill.  Her  bloom 
gave  place  to  the  paleness  of  death ;  her  soft  melting  eyes 
grew  hard,  and  seemed  contracting  with  horror  ;  while  those 
hands  which  she  had  raised,  clasped  in  each  other,  towards 
heaven,  dropped  in  horizontal  lines  before  her,  the  fingers 
pointed  forward  in  convulsed  motion.  Heyward  turned,  the 
instant  she  gave  a  direction  to  his  suspicions,  and,  peering 
just  above  the  ledge  which  formed  the  threshold  of  the  open 
outlet  of  the  cavern,  he  beheld  the  malignant,  fierce,  and 
savage  features  of  Le  Renard  Subtil. 

In  that  moment  of  surprise,  the  self-possession  of  Hey- 
ward did  not  desert  him.  He  observed  by  the  vacant  expres- 
sion of  the  Indian's  countenance,  that  his  eye,  accustomed  to 
the  open  air,  had  not  yet  been  able  to  penetrate  the  dusky 
light  which  pervaded  the  depth  of  the  cavern.  He  had  even 
thought  of  retreating  beyond  a  curvature  in  the  natural  wall, 
which  might  still  conceal  him  and  his  companions,  when,  by 
the  sudden  gleam  of  intelligence  that  shot  across  the  features 
of  the  savage,  he  saw  that  it  was  too  late,  and  that  they  were 
betrayed. 

The  look  of  exultation  -and  brutal  triumph  which  an- 
nounced this  terrible  truth  was  irresistibly  irritating.  Forget- 
ful of  everything  but  the  impulses  of  his  hot  blood,  Duncan 
levelled  his  pistol  and  fired.  The  report  of  the  weapon  made 
the  cavern  bellow- like  an  eruption  from  a  volcano  ;  and  when 
the  smoke  it  vomited  had  been  driven  away  before  the  cur 
rent  of  air  which  issued  from  the  ravine,  the  place  so  lately 
occupied  by  the  features  of  his  treacherous  guide  was  vacant. 
Rushing  to  the  outlet,  Heyward  caught  a  glimpse  of  his  dark 
figure  stealing  around  a  low  and  narrow  ledge,  which  soon 
hid  him  from  sight. 

Among  the  savages,  a  frightful  stillness  succeeded  the  ex- 
plosion, which  had  just  been  heard  bursting  from  the  bowels 
of  the  rock.  But  when  Le  Renard  raised  his  voice  in  a  long 
and  intelligible  whoop,  it  was  answered  by  a  spontaneous  yell 
from  the  mouth  of  every  Indian  within  hearing  of  the  sound. 
The  clamorous  noises  again  rushed  down  the  island  ;  and  be- 
fore Duncan  had  time  to  recover  from  the  shock,  his  feeble 
barrier  of  brush  was  scattered  to  the  winds,  the  cavern  was 
entered  at  both  extremities,  and  he  and  his  companions  were 
dragged  from  their  shelter  and  borne  into  the  day,  where  they 
stood  surrounded  by  the  whole  band  of  the  triumphant 
Hurons. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


CHAPTER  X. 

I  fear  we  shall  outsleep  the  coming  morn, 

As  much  as  we  this  night  have  overwatched  !  " 

MIDSUMMER  NIGHT'S  DREAM. 

THE  instant  the  shock  of  this  sudden  misfortune  had 
abated,  Duncan  began  to  make  his  observations  on  the  ap- 
pearance and  proceedings  of  their  captors.  Contrary  to  th* 
usages  of  the  natives  in  the  wantonness  of  their  success,  the) 
had  respected,  not  only  the  persons  of  the  trembling  sisters, 
but  his  own.  The  rich  ornaments  of  his  military  attire  had 
indeed  bvien  repeatedly  handled  by  different  individuals  of  the 
iribe  with  eyes  expressing  a  savage  longing  to  possess  the 
baubles  ;  but  before  the  customary  violence  could  be  resorted 
to,  a  mandate,  in  the  authoritative  voice  of  the  large  warrior 
already  mentioned,  stayed  the  uplifted  hand,  and  convinced 
Heyward  that  they  were  to  be  reserved  for  some  object  of  par- 
ticular moment. 

While,  however,  these  manifestations  of  weakness  were 
exhibited  by  the  yonng  and  vain  of  the  party,  the  more  ex- 
perienced warriors  continued  their  search  throughout  both 
caverns,  with  an  activity  that  denoted  they  were  far  from  being 
satisfied  with  those  fruits  of  their  conquest  which  had  already 
been  brought  to  light.  Unable  to  discover  any  new  victim, 
these  diligent  workers  of  vengeance  soon  approached  their 
malt  prisoners,  pronouncing  the  name  of  "La  longue  Cara- 
bine," with  a  fierceness  that  could  not  easily  be  mistaken. 
Duncan  affected  not  to  comprehend  the  meaning  of  their  re- 
peated and  violent  interrogatories,  while  his  companion  was 
spared  the  effort  of  a  similar  deception  by  his  ignorance  of 
French.  Wearied,  at  length,  by  their  importunities,  and  ap- 
prehensive of  irritating  his  captors  by  too  stubborn  a  silence, 
the  former  looked  about  him  in  quest  of  Magua,  who  might 
interpret  his  answer  to  questions  which  were,  at  each  moment, 
becoming  more  earnest  and  threatening. 

The  conduct  of  this  savage  had  formed  a  solitary  excep- 
tion to  that  of  all  his  fellows.  While  the  others  were  busily 
occupied  in  seeking  to  gratify  their  childish  passion  for  finery, 
b,  plundering  even  the  miserable  effects  of  the  scout,  or  had 


TJ/£  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  89 

been  searching,  with  such  blooodthirsty  vengeance  in  their 
looks,  for  their  absent  owner,  Le  Renard  had  stood  a  little 
distance  from  the  prisoners,  with  a  demeanor  so  quiet  and 
satisfied,  as  to  betray  that  he  had  already  effected  the  grand 
purpose  of  his  treachery.  When  the  eyes  of  Heyward  first  met 
those  of  his  recent  guide,  he  turned  them  away  in  horror  at 
the  sinister,  though  calm  look  he  encountered.  Conquering 
his  disgust,  however,  he  was  able,  with  an  averted  face,  to 
address  his  successful  enemy. 

"  Le  Renard  Subtil  is  too  much  of  a  warrior,"  said  the  re- 
luctant Heyward,  "  to  refuse  telling  an  unarmed  man  what  his 
conquerors  say." 

"  They  ask  for  the  hunter  who  knows  the  path  through 
the  woods,"  returned  Magua,  in  his  broken  English,  laying 
his  hand,  at  the  same  time,  with  a  ferocious  smile,  on  the 
bundle  of  leaves  with  which  a  wound  on  his  own  shoulder  was 
bandaged.  "  La  longue  Carabine  !  his  rifle  is  good,  and  his 
eye  never  shut ;  but,  like  the  short  gun  of  the  white  chief,  it 
is  nothing  against  the  life  of  Le  Subtil." 

"  Le  Renard  is  too  brave  to  remember  the  hurts  received 
in  war,  or  the  hands  that  gave  them." 

"  Was  it  war,  when  the  tired  Indian  rested  at  the  sugar- 
tree  to  taste  his  corn  ?  who  filled  the  bushes  with  creeping 
enemies,  who  drew  the  knife  ?  whose  tongue  was  peace,  while 
his  heart  was  covered  with  blood  ?  Did  Magua  say  that  the 
hatchet  was  out  of  the  ground,  and  that  his  hand  had  dug 
it  up  ? " 

As  Duncan  dared  not  retort  upon  his  accuser  by  remind- 
ing him  of  his  own  premeditated  treachery,  and  disdained  to 
deprecate  his  resentment  by  any  words  of  apology,  he  re- 
mained silent.  Magua  seemed  also  content  to  rest  the  con- 
troversy as  well  as  all  further  communication  there,  for  he 
resumed  the  leaning  attitude  against  the  rock,  from  which,  in 
momentary  energy,  he  had  arisen.  But  the  cry  of  "  La  longue 
Carabine  "  was  renewed  the  instant  the  impatient  savages  per- 
ceived that  the  short  dialogue  was  ended. 

"  You  hear,"  said  Magua,  with  stubborn  indifference  \ 
"  the  red  Hurons  call  for  the  life  of '  The  Long  Rifle,'  or  they 
will  have  the  blood  of  them  that  keep  him  hid." 

"  He  is  gone — escaped  ;  he  is  far  beyond  their  reach/' 

Renard  smiled  with  cold  contempt  as  he  answered — 

"  When  the  white  man  dies,  he  thinks  he  is  at  peace  ;  but 
the  red  men  know  how  to  torture  even  the  ghosts  of  their 
enemies.  Where  is  his  bodv  ?  Let  the  Hurons  see  his  scalo/ 


LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

"  He  is  not  dead,  but  escaped." 

Magua  shook  his  head  incredulously. 

"  Is  he  a  bird,  to  spread  his  wings ;  or  is  he  a  fish,  ta 
swim  without  air?  The  white  chief  reads  in  his  books,  <ind 
he  believes  the  Hurons  are  fools." 

"  Though  no  fish,  *  the  long  Rifle  '  can  swim.  He  floated 
down  the  stream  when  the  powder  was  all  burnt,  and  when 
the  eyes  of  the  Hurons  were  behind  a  cloud." 

"  And  why  did  the  white  chief  stay  ?  "  demanded  the  still 
incredulous  Indian.  "  Is  he  a  stone  that  goes  to  the  bottom, 
or  does  the  scalp  burn  his  head  ?  " 

"  That  I  am  not  a  stone,  your  dead  comrade,  who  fell  into 
the  falls,  might  answer,  were  the  life  still  in  him,"  said  the 
provoked  young  man,  using,  in  his  anger,  that  boastful  lan- 
guage which  was  most  likely  to  excite  the  admiration  of  an 
Indian.  "  The  white  man  thinks  none  but  cowards  desert 
their  women." 

Magua  uttered  a  few  words,  inaudibly,  between  his  teeth, 
before  he  continued,  aloud, — 

"  Can  the  Delawares  swim,  too,  as  well  as  crawl  in  the 
bushes  ?  Where  is  '  Le  gros  Serpent  ? ' ' 

Duncan,  who  perceived  by  the  use  of  these  Canadian  ap- 
pellations, that  his  late  companions  were  much  better  known 
to  his  enemies  than  to  himself,  answered  reluctantly,  "  He  also 
is  gone  down  with  the  water." 

"  '  Le  Cerf  agile  '  is  not  here  !  " 

"  I  know  not  whom  you  call  c  The  nimble  Deer,'  "  said 
Duncan,  gladly  profiting  by  any  excuse  to  create  delay. 

"  Uncas,"  returned  Magua,  pronouncing  the  Delaware 
name  with  even  greater  difficulty  than  he  spoke  his  English 
words.  "  '  Bounding  Elk  '  is  what  the  white  man  says,  when 
he  calls  to  the  young  Mohican." 

"  Here  is  some  confusion  in  names  between  us,  Le  Re- 
nard,"  said  Duncan,  hoping  to  provoke  a  discussion.  "  Daim 
is  the  French  for  deer,  and  cerf  for  stag ;  elan  is  the  true 
term,  when  one  would  speak  of  an  elk." 

"  Yes,"  muttered  the  Indian,  in  his  native  tongue  ;  "  the 
pale  faces  are  prattling  women  !  they  have  two  words  for 
each  thing,  while  a  red  skin  will  make  the  sound  of  his  voice 
speak  for  him."  Then  changing  his  language,  he  continued, 
adhering  to  the  imperfect  nomenclature  of  his  provincial 
instructors,  "  The  deer  is  swift,  but  weak ;  the  elk  is  swift, 
but  strong;  and  the  son  of  'Le  Serpent1  is  'Le  Cerf  agile,' 
Has  he  leaped  the  river  to  the  woods  ? " 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  gr 

"If you  mean  the  younger  Delaware,  he  too  is  gone  down 
with  the  water." 

As  there  was  nothing  improbable  to  an  Indian  in  the 
manner  of  the  escape,  Magua  admitted  the  truth  of  what  he 
had  heard,  with  a  readiness  that  afforded  additional  evidence 
how  little  he  would  prize  such  worthless  captives.  With  his 
companions,  however,  the  feeling  was  manifestly  different. 

The  Hurons  had  awaited  the  result  of  this  short  dialogue 
with  characteristic  patience,  and  with  a  silence  that  increased 
until  there  was  a  general  stillness  in  the  band.  When  Hey- 
ward  ceased  to  speak,  they  turned  their  eyes  as  one  man  on 
Magua,  demanding,  in  this  expressive  manner,  an  explana^ 
tion  of  what  had  been  said.  Their  interpreter  pointed  to  the 
river  and  made  them  acquainted  with  the  result,  as  much  by 
the  action  as  by  the  few  words  he  uttered.  When  the  fact 
was  generally  understood,  the  savages  raised  a  frightful  yell, 
which  declared  the  extent  of  their  disappointment.  Some  ran 
furiously  to  the  water's  edge,  beating  the  air  with  frantic  ges- 
tures, while  others  spat  upon  the  element,  to  resent  the  sup- 
posed treason  it  had  committed  against  their  acknowledged 
rights  as  conquerors.  A  few,  and  they  not  the  least  power- 
ful and  terrific  of  the  band,  threw  lowering  looks,  in  which 
the  fiercest  passion  was  only  tempered  by  habitual  self-com- 
mand, at  those  captives  who  still  remained  in  their  power  \ 
while  one  or  two  even  gave  vent  to  their  malignant  feelings 
by  the  most  menacing  gestures,  against  which  neither  the  sex 
nor  the  beauty  of  the  sisters  was  any  protection.  The  young 
soldier  made  a  desperate,  but  fruitless  effort,  to  spring  to  the 
side  of  Alice,  when  he  saw  the  dark  hand  of  a  savage  twisted 
in  the  rich  tresses  which  were  flowing  in  volumes  over  her 
shoulders,  while  a  knife  was  passed  around  the  head  from 
which  they  fell,  as  if  to  denote  the  horrid  manner  in  which  it 
was  about  to  be  robbed  of  its  beautiful  ornament.  But  his 
hands  were  bound  ;  and  at  the  first  movement  he  made,  he 
felt  the  grasp  of  the  powerful  Indian  who  directed  the  band, 
pressing  his  shoulder  like  a  vice.  Immediately  conscious 
how  unavailing  any  struggle  against  such  an  overwhelming 
force  must  prove,  he  submitted  to  his  fate,  encouraging  his 
gentle  companions  by  a  few  low  and  tender  assurances,  that 
the  natives  seldom  failed  to  threaten  more  than  they  per- 
formed. 

But,  while  Duncan  resorted  to  these  words  of  consolation  to 
quiet  the  apprehensions  of  the  sisters,  he  was  not  so  weak  as 
to  deceive  himself.  He  well  knew  that  the  authority  of  a» 


,^2  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

Indian  chief  was  so  little  conventional,  that  it  was  oftene* 
maintained  by  physical  superiority  than  by  any  moral  su« 
premacy  he  might  possess.  The  danger  was,  therefore,  mag- 
nified exactly  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  the  savage  spirits 
by  which  they  were  surrounded.  The  most  positive  mandate 
from  him  who  seemed  the  acknowledged  leader,  was  liable  to 
be  violated  at  each  moment,  by  any  rash  hand  that  might 
chose  to  sacrifice  a  victim  to  the  manes  of  some  dead  friend 
or  relative.  While,  therefore,  he  sustained  an  outward  ap- 
pearance of  calmness  and  fortitude,  his  heart  leaped  into  his 
throat,  whenever  any  of  their  fierce  captors  drew  nearer  than 
common  to  the  helpless  sisters,  or  fastened  one  of  tneir  sullen 
wandering  looks  on  those  fragile  forms  which  were  so  little  able 
to  resist  the  slightest  assault. 

His  apprehensions  were,  however,  greatly  relieved,  when  he 
saw  that  the  leader  had  summoned  his  warriors  to  himself  in 
council.  Their  deliberations  were  short,  and  it  would  seem, 
by  the  silence  of  most  of  the  party,  the  decision  unanimous. 
By  the  frequency  with  which  the  few  speakers  pointed  in  the 
direction  of  the  encampment  of  Webb,  it  was  apparent  they 
dreaded  the  approach  of  danger  from  that  quarter.  This  con- 
sideration probably  hastened  their  determination,  and  quick- 
ened the  subsequent  movements. 

During  this  short  conference,  Heyward,  finding  a  respite 
from  his  greatest  fears,  had  leisure  to  admire  the  cautious 
manner  in  which  the  Hurons  had  made  their  approaches,  even 
after  hostilities  had  ceased. 

It  has  already  been  stated,  that  the  upper  half  of  the  island 
was  a  naked  rock,  and  destitute  of  any  other  defences  than  a 
few  scatteied  logs  of  drift-wood.  They  had  selected  this  point 
to  make  their  descent,  having  borne  the  canoe  through  the 
wood  around  the  cataract  for  that  purpose.  Placing  their 
arms  in  the  little  vessel,  a  dozen  men,  clinging  to  its  sides, 
had  trusted  themselves  to  the  direction  of  the  canoe,  which 
was  controlled  by  two  of  the  most  skilful  warriors,  in  attitudes 
that  enabled  them  to  command  a  view  of  the  dangerous  pas- 
sage. Favored  by  this  arrangement,  they  touched  the  head 
of  the  island  at  that  point  which  had  proved  so  fatal  to  their 
first  adventure,  but  with  the  advantages  of  superior  numbers 
and  the  possession  of  fire-arms.  That  such  had  been  the 
manner  of  their  descent  was  rendered  quite  apparent  ttf 
Duncan  ;  for  they  now  bore  the  light  bark  from  the  upper  end 
of  the  rock,  and  placed  it  in  the  water,  near  the  mouth  of  the 
outer  cavern.  As  soon  as  this  change  was  made,  the  leadei 
made  signs  to  the  prisoners  to  descend  and  enter. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  '    93 

As  resistance  was  useless,  Heyward  set  the  example  of  sub- 
mission, by  leading  the  way  into  the  canoe,  where  he  was  soon 
seated  with  the  sisters,  and  the  still  wondering  David.  Not- 
withstanding the  Hurons  were  necessarily  ignorant  of  the  little 
channels  among  the  eddies  and  rapids  of  the  stream,  they 
knew  the  common  signs  of  such  a  navigation  too  well  to 
commit  any  material  blunder.  When  the  pilot  chosen  for  the 
task  of  guiding  the  canoe  had  taken  his  station,  the  whole 
band  plunged  again  into  the  river,  the  vessel  glided  down  the 
current,  and  in  a  few  moments  the  captives  found  themselves  on 
the  south  bank  of  the  stream,  nearly  opposite  to  the  point 
where  they  had  struck  it  the  preceding  evening. 

Here  was  held  another  short  but  earnest  consultation, 
during  which  the  horses,  to  whose  panic  their  owners  ascribed 
their  heaviest  misfortune,  were  led  from  the  cover  of  the  woods, 
and  brought  to  the  sheltered  spot.  The  band  now  divided. 
The  great  chief  so  often  mentioned,  mounting  the  charge/ 
of  Heyward,  led  the  way  directly  across  the  river,  followed  b) 
most  of  his  people,  and  disappeared  in  the  woods,  leaving  the 
prisoners  in  charge  of  six  savages,  at  whose  head  was  Le 
Renard  Subtil.  Duncan  witnessed  all  their  movements  with 
renewed  uneasiness. 

He  had  been  fond  of  believing,  from  the  uncommon  for- 
bearance of  the  savages,  that  he  was  reserved  as  a  prisoner  to 
be  delivered  to  Montcalm.  As  the  thoughts  of  those  who  are 
in  misery  seldom  slumber,  and  the  invention  is  never  more 
lively  than  when  it  is  stimulated  by  hope,  however  feeble  and 
remote,  he  had  even  imagined  that  the  parental  feelings  of 
Munro  were  to  be  made  instrumental  in  seducing  him  from  his 
duty  to  the  king.  For  though  the  French  commander  bore  a 
high  character  for  courage  and  enterprise,  he  was  also  thought 
to  be  expert  in  those  political  practices  which  do  not  always 
respect  the  nicer  obligations  of  morality,  and  which  so  gener- 
ally disgraced  the  European  diplomacy  of  that  period. 

All  those  busy  and  ingenious  speculations  were  now  an- 
nihilated by  the  conduct  of  his  captors.  That  portion  of  the 
band  who  had  followed  the  huge  warrior  took  the  route  towards 
the  foot  of  the  Horican,  and  no  other  expectation  was  left 
for  himself  and  companions,  than  that  they  were  to  be  retained 
as  hopeless  captives  by  their  savage  conquerors.  Anxious  to 
know  the  worst,  and  willing,  in  such  an  emergency,  to  try  the 
potency  of  gold,  he  overcame  his  reluctance  to  speak  to  Magua. 
Addressing  himself  to  his  former  guide,  who  had  now  as* 
sumed  the  authority  and  manner  of  one  who  was  to  direct  the 


94  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

future  movements  of  the  party,  he  said,  in  tones  as  friendlj 
and  confident  as  he  could  assume, — 

"  I  would  speak  to  Magua,  what  is  fit  only  for  so  great  a 
chief  to  hear." 

The  Indian  turned  his  eyes  on  the  young  soldier  scorn 
fully,  as  he  answered — 

"  Speak  ;  trees  have  no  ears  !  " 

"  But  the  red  Hurdns  are  not  deaf ;  and  counsel  that  is 
fit  for  the  great  men  of  a  nation  would  make  the  young  war- 
riors drunk.  If  Magua  will  not  listen,  the  officer  of  the  king 
knows  how  to  keep  silent." 

The  savage  spoke  carelessly  to  his  comrades,  who  were 
•busied,  after  their  awkward  manner,  in  preparing  the  horses 
for  the  reception  of  the  sisters,  and  moved  a  little  to  one  side, 
whither,  by  a  cautious  gesture,  he  induced  Heyward  to  follow. 

"  Now  speak,"  he  said  ;  "  if  the  words  are  such  as  Magua 
should  hear." 

"Le  Renard  Subtil  has  proved  himself  worthy  of  the 
honorable  name  given  to  him  by  his  Canada  fathers,"  com- 
menced Heyward ;  "  I  see  his  wisdom  and  all  that  he  has 
done  for  us,  and  shall  remember  it,  when  the  hour  to  reward 
him  arrives.  Yes  !  Renard  has  proved  that  he  is  not  only  a 
great  chief  in  council,  but  one  who  knows  how  to  deceive  his 
enemies  ! " 

"  What  has  Renard  done  ?  "  coldly  demanded  the  Indian. 

"  What !  has  he  not  seen  that  the  woods  were  filled  with 
outlying  parties  of  the  enemies,  and  that  the  serpent  could 
not  steal  through  them  without  being  seen  ?  Then,  did  he 
not  lose  his  path  to  blind  the  eyes  of  the  Hurons  ?  Did  he 
not  pretend  to  go  back  to  his  tribe,  who  had  treated  him  ill, 
and  driven  him  from  their  wigwams  like  a  dog  ?  And,  when 
we  saw  what  he  wished  to  do,  did  we  not  aid  him,  by  making 
a  false  face,  that  the  Hurons  might  think  the  white  man 
believed  that  his  friend  was  his  enemy  ?  Is  not  all  this  true  ? 
And  when  Le  Subtil  had  shut  the  eyes  and  stopped  the  ears 
of  his  nation  by  his  wisdom,  did  they  not  forget  that  they  had 
once  done  him  wrong,  and  forced  him  to  flee  to  the  Mohawks  ? 
And  did  they  not  leave  him  on  the  south  side  of  the  river, 
with  their  prisoners,  while  they  have  gone  foolishly  on  the 
north  ?  Does  not  Renard  mean  to  turn  like  a  fox  on  his  foot' 
steps,  and  carry  to  the  rich  and  gray-headed  Scotchman  his 
daughters  ?  Yes,  Magua,  I  see  it  all,  and  I  have  already 
been  thinking  how  so  much  wisdom  and  honesty  should  be 
repaid.  First,  the  chief  of  William  Henry  will  give  as  9 


THE  LAST  O&  THE  MOHICANS.  ^ 

great  chief  should  for  such  a  service.  The  medal  *  of  Magua 
will  no  longer  be  of  tin,  but  of  beaten  gold  ;  his  horn  will  run 
over  with  powder  ;  dollars  will  be  as  plenty  in  his  pouch  as 
pebbles  on  the  shores  of  Horican  ;  and  the  deer  will  lick  his 
hand,  for  they  will  know  it  to  be  vain  to  fly  from  the  rifle  he 
will  carry!  As  for  myself,  I  know  not  how  to  exceed  the 
gratitude  of  the  Scotchman,  but  I — yes,  I  will '' 

'  What  will  the  young  chief,  who  comes  from  towards  the 
sun,  give  ?  "  demanded  the  Huron,  observing  that  Heyward 
hesitated  in  his  desire  to  end  the  enumeration  of  benefits 
with  that  which  might  form  the  climax  of  an  Indian's  wishes. 

"  He  will  make  the  fire-water  from  the  Islands  in  the  salt 
lake  flow  before  the  wigwam  of  Magua,  until  the  heart  of  the 
Indian  shall  be  lighter  than  the  feathers  of  the  humming-bird, 
and  his  breath  sweeter  than  the  wild  honey-suckle." 

Le  Renard  had  listened  gravely  as  Heyward  slowly  pro-, 
ceeded  in  this  subtle  speech.  When  the  young  man  men- 
tioned  the  artifice  he  supposed  the  Indian  to  have  practiced 
on  his  own  nation,  the  countenance  of  the  listener  was  veiled 
in  an  expression  of  cautious  gravity.  At  the  allusion  to  the 
injury  which  Duncan  affected  to  believe  had  driven  the  Huron 
from  his  native  tribe,  a  gleam  of  such  ungovernable  ferocity 
flashed  f:  om  the  other's  eyes,  as  induced  the  adventurous 
speaker  to  believe  that  he  had  struck  the  proper  chord.  And 
by  the  time  he  reached  the  part  where  he  so  artfully  blended 
the  thirst  of  vengeance  with  the  desire  of  gain,  he  had,  at 
least,  obtained  a  command  of  the  deepest  attention  of  the 
savage.  The  question  put  by  Le  Renard  had  been  calm,  and 
with  all  the  dignity  of  an  Indian  ;  but  it  was  quite  apparent, 
by  the  thoughtful  expression  of  the  listener's  countenance) 
that  the  answer  was  most  cunningly  devised.  The  Huron 
mused  a  few  moments,  and  then,  laying  his  hand  on  the  rude 
bandages  of  his  wounded  shoulder,  he  said,  with  some  en- 
ergy,— 

"  Do  friends  make  such  marks  ? " 

"  Would  *  La  longue  Carabine  '  cut  one  so  light  on  an 
enemy  ? " 

"Do  the  Delawares  crawl  upon  those  they  love  like 
snakes,  twisting  themselves  to  strike  !  " 

"  Would  *  Le  gros  Serpent '  have  been  heard  by  the  ears 
of  one  he  wished  to  be  deaf  ?  " 

*  It  has  long  been  a  practice  with  the  whites,  to  conciliate  the  important  men  o! 
the  Indians,  by  presenting  medals,  which  are  worn  in  the  place  of  their  own  rucfc 
oraaments.  Those  given  by  the  English  generally  bear  the  impression  of  the  reiga 
lnsr  kin?,  and  those  given  bv  th*  Americans,  that  of  the  president 


06  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

"  Does  the  white  chief  burn  his  powder  in  the  faces  of  his 
brothers  ?  " 

"  Does  he  ever  miss  his  aim,  when  seriously  bent  to  kill  ? M 
returned  Duncan,  smiling  with  well-acted  sincerity. 

Another  long  and  deliberate  pause  succeeded  these  sen* 
tentious  questions  and  ready  replies.  Duncan  saw  that  th« 
Indian  hesitated.  In  order  to  complete  his  victory,  he  was 
in  the  act  of  recommencing  the  enumeration  of  the  rewards, 
when  Magua  made  an  expressive  gesture,  and  said — 

"  Enough ;  Le  Renard  is  a  wise  chief,  and  what  he  does 
will  be  seen.  Go,  and  keep  the  mouth  *hut.  When  Magua 
speaks,  it  will  be  the  time  to  answer." 

Heyward,  perceiving  that  the  eyes  of  his  companion  were 
warily  fastened  on  the  rest  of  the  band,  fell  back  immediately, 
in  order  to  avoid  the  appearance  of  any  suspicious  confeder- 
acy with  their  leader.  Magua  approached  the  horses,  and 
affected  to  be  well  pleased  with  the  diligence  and  ingenuity 
of  his  comrades.  He  then  signed  to  Heyward  to  assist  the 
sisters  into  the  saddles,  for  he  seldom  deigned  to  use  the 
English  tongue,  unless  urged  by  some  motive  of  more  than 
usual  moment. 

There  was  no  longer  any  plausible  pretext  for  delay  ;  and 
Duncan  was  obliged,  however  reluctantly,  to  comply.  As  he 
performed  this  office,  he  whispered  his  reviving  hopes  in  the 
ears  of  the  trembling  females,  who,  through  dread  of  encoun- 
tering the  savage  countenances  of  their  captors,  seldom  raised 
their  eyes  from  the  ground.  The  mare  of  David  had  been 
taken  with  the  followers  of  the  large  chief  ;  in  consequence, 
its  owner,  as  well  as  Duncan,  were  compelled  to  journey  on 
foot.  The  latter  did  not,  however,  so  much  regret  this  cir- 
cumstance, as  it  might  enable  him  to  retard  the  speed  of  the 
party  ;  for  he  still  turned  his  longing  looks  in  the  direction  of 
Fort  Edward,  in  the  vain  expectation  of  catching  some  sound 
from  that  quarter  of  the  fortst,  which  might  denote  the  ap- 
proach of  succor. 

When  all  were  prepared,  Magua  made  the  signal  to  pro- 
ceed, advancing  in  front  to  lead  the  party  in  person.  Next 
followed  David,  who  was  gradually  coming  to  a  true  sense  of 
his  condition,  as  the  effects  of  the  wound  became  less  and 
less  apparent.  The  sisters  rode  in  his  rear,  with  Heyward  at 
their  side,  while  the  Indians  flanked  the  party,  and  brought 
up  the  close  of  the  march,  with  a  caution  that  seemed  nevei 
to  tire. 

In  this  manner  they  proceeded  in  uninterrupted   silence, 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  9} 

except  when  Heyward  addressed  some  solitary  word  ot  com* 
fort  to  the  females,  or  David  gave  vent  to  the  meanings  of 
his  spirit,  in  piteous  exclamations,  which  he  intended  should 
express  the  humility  of  resignation.  Their  direction  lay  to- 
wards the  south,  ancl  in  a  course  nearly  opposite  to  the  road 
to  William  Henry.  Notwithstanding  the  apparent  adherence 
in  Magua  to  the  original  determination  of  his  conquerors, 
Heyward  could  not  believe  his  tempting  bait  was  so  soon  for- 
gotten ;  and  he  knew  the  windings  of  an  Indian  path  too  well, 
to  suppose  that  its  apparent  course  led  directly  to  its  object, 
when  artifice  was  at  all  necessary.  Mile  after  ^mile  was,  how- 
ever, passed  through  the  boundless  woods,  in  this  painful 
manner,  without  any  prospect  of  a  termination  to  their  journey. 
Heyward  watched  the  sun,  as  he  darted  his  meridian  rays 
through  the  branches  of  the  trees,  and  pined  for  the  moment 
when  the  policy  of  Magua  should  change  their  route  to  one 
more  favorable  to  his  hopes.  Sometimes  he  fancied  the  wary 
savage,  despairing  of  passing  the  army  of  Montcalm  in  safety, 
was  holding  his  way  towards  a  well  known  border  settlement, 
where  a  distinguished  officer  of  the  crown,  and  a  favored 
friend  of  the  Six  Nations,  held  his  large  possessions,  as  well 
as  his  usual  residence.  To  be  delivered,  into  the  hands  of 
Sir  William  Johnson,  was  far  preferable  to  being  led  into  the 
wilds  of  Canada  ;  but  in  order  to  effect  even  the  former,  it 
would  be  necessary  to  traverse  the  forest  for  many  weary 
leagues,  each  step  of  which  was  carrying  him  further  from  the 
scene  of  the  war,  and,  consequently,  from  the  post,  not  only  oi 
honor,  but  of  duty. 

Cora  alone  remembered  the  parting  injunctions  of  the 
scout,  and  whenever  an  opportunity  offered,  she  stretched  forth 
her  arm  to  bend  aside  the  twigs  that  met  her  hands.  But  the 
vigilance  of  the  Indians  rendered  this  act  of  precaution  both 
difficult  and  dangerous.  She  was  often  defeated  in  her  pur- 
pose, by  encountering  their  watchful  eyes,  when  it  became 
necessary  to  feign  an  alarm  she  did  not  feel,  and  occupy  the 
limb  by  some  gesture  of  feminine  apprehension.  Once  and 
once  only  was  she  completely  successful  ;  when  she  broke 
down  the  bough  of  a  large  sumach,  and,  by  a  sudden  thought, 
l;t  her  glove  fall  at  the  same  instant.  This  sign,  intended 
for  those  that  might  follow,  was  observed  by  one  of  her  con- 
ductors, who  restored  the  glove,  broke  the  remaining  branches 
of  the  bush  in  such  a  manner  that  it  appeared  to  proceed  from 
the  struggling  of  some  beast  in  its  branches,  and  then  laid 
his  hand  on  his  tomahawk,  with  a  look  so  significant,  that  it 


08  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICAN*. 

put  an  effectual  end  to  these  stolen  memorials  of  their  pas 
sage. 

As  there  were  horses  to  leave  the  prints  of  their  footsteps, 
in  both  bands ,  of  the  Indians,  this  interruption  cut  off  any 
probable  hopes  of  assistance  being  conveyed  through  the 
means  of  their  trail. 

Heyward  would  have  ventured  a  remonstrance,  had  there 
been  anything  encouraging  in  the  gloomy  reserve  of  Magua, 
But  the  savage  during  all  this  time,  seldom  turned  to  look  at 
his  followers,  and  never  spoke.  With  the  sun  for  his  only 
guide,  or  aided  by  such  blind  marks  as  are  only  known  to  the 
sagacity  of  a  native,  he  held  his  way  along  the  barrens  of  pine, 
through  occasional  little  fertile  vales,  across  brooks  and  rivu- 
lets, and  over  undulating  hills,  with  the  accuracy  of  instinct, 
and  nearly  with  the  directness  of  a  bird.  He  never  seemed 
to  hesitate.  Whether  the  path  was  hardly  distinguishable, 
whether  it  disappeared,  or  whether  it  lay  beaten  and  plain 
before  him,  made  no  sensible  difference  in  his  speed  or  cer- 
tainty. It  seemed  as  if  fatigue  could  not  affect  him.  When- 
ever the  eyes  of  the  wearied  travellers  arose  from  the  decayed 
leaves  over  which  they  trod,  his  dark  form  was  to  be  seen 
glancing  among  the  stems  of  the  trees  in  front,  his  head  im- 
movably fastened  in  a  forward  position,  with  the  light  plume 
on  his  crest  fluttering  in  a  current  of  air,  made  solely  by  the 
swiftness  of  his  own  motion. 

But  all  this  diligence  and  speed  were  not  without  an  ob- 
ject. After  crossing  a  low  vale,  through  which  a  gushing 
brook  meandered,  he  suddenly  ascended  a  hill,  so  steep  and 
difficult  of  ascent  that  the  sisters  were  compelled  to  alight,  in 
order  to  follow.  When  the  summit  was  gained,  they  found 
themselves  on  a  level  spot,  but  thinly  covered  with  trees,  under 
one  of  which  Magua  had  thrown  his  dark  form,  as  if  willing 
and  ready  to  seek  that  rest  which  was  so  much  needed  by  thf 
whole  party. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


CHAPTER   XI. 

" Cursed  be  my  tribe 

If  I  forgive  him." 

SHYLOCX. 
t 

THE  Indian  had  selected,  for  this  desirable  purpose,  one 
of  those  steep,  pyramidcial  hills,  which  bear  a  strong  resem- 
blance to  artificial  mounds,  and  which  so  frequently  occur  in 
the  valleys  of  America.  The  one  in  question  was  high  and 
precipitous  ;  its  top  flattened,  as  usual ;  but  with  one  of  its 
sides  more  than  ordinarily  irregular.  It  possessed  no  other 
apparent  advantage,  for  a  resting-place,  than  in  its  elevation 
and  form,  which  might  render  defence  easy,  and  surprise 
nearly  impossible.  As  Heyward,  however,  no  longer  ex- 
pected that  rescue  which  time  and  distance  now  rendered  so 
improbable,  he  regarded  these  little  peculiarities  with  an  eye 
devoid  of  interest,  devoting  himself  entirely  to  the  comfort 
and  condolence  of  his  feebler  companions.  The  Narragan- 
sets  v/ere  suffered  to  browse  on  the  branches  of  the  trees  and 
shrubs  that  were  thinly  scattered  over  the  summit  of  the  hill, 
.while  the  remains  of  their  provisions  were  spread  under  the 
shade  of  a  beech,  that  stretched  its  horizontal  limbs  like  a 
canopy  above  them. 

Notwithstanding  the  swiftness  of  their  flight,  one  of  the 
Indians  had  found  an  opportunity  to  strike  a  straggling  fawn 
with  an  arrow,  and  had  borne  the  more  preferable  fragments 
of  the  victim  patiently,  on  his  shoulders,  to  the  stopping-place. 
Without  any  aid  from  the  science  of  cookery,  he  was  imme 
diately  employed,  in  common  with  his  fellows,  in  gorging  him- 
self with  this  digestible  sustenance.  Magua  alone  sat  apart, 
without  participating  in  the  revolting  meal,  and  apparently 
buried  in  the  deepest  thought. 

This  abstinence,  so  remarkable  in  an  Indian  when  he 
possessed  the  means  of  satisfying  hunger,  at  length  attracted 
the  notice  of  Heyward.  The  young  man  willingly  believed 
that  the  Huron  deliberated  on  the  most  eligible  manner  of 
eluding  the  vigilance  of  his  associates.  With  a  view  to  assist 
his  plans,  by  any  suggestion  of  his  own,  and  to  strengthen  the 
temptation,  he  left  the  beech,  and  straggled,  as  if  without  an 
object,  ta  the  *pot  where  Le  Renard  was  seated. 


,00 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


"  Has  not  Magua  kept  the  sun  in  his  face  long  enough  to 
escape  all  danger  from  the  Canadians  ?  "  he  asked,  as  though 
no  longer  doubtful  of  the  good  intelligence  established  between 
them ;  "  and  will  not  the  chief  of  William  Henry  be  better 
pleased  to  see  his  daughters  before  another  night  may  have 
hardened  his  heart  to  their  loss,  to  make  him  less  liberal  in 
his  reward  ? " 

u  Do  the  pale-faces  love  their  children  less  in  the  morning 
than  at  night  ?  "  asked  the  Indian,  coldly. 

"  By  no  means,"  returned  Hey  ward,  anxious  to  recall  his 
error,  if  he  had  made  one  ;  "  the  white  man  may,  and  does 
often,  forget  the  burial-place  of  his  fathers  ;  he  sometimes 
ceases  to  remember  those  he  should  love  and  has  promised 
to  cherish  ;  but  the  affection  of  a  parent  for  his  child  is  never 
permitted  to  die." 

"  And  is  the  heart  of  tlie  white-headed  chief  soft,  and  will 
he  think  of  the  babes  that  his  squaws  have  given  him  ?  He 
is  hard  to  his  warriors,  and  his  eyes  are  made  of  stone  ! " 

"  He  is  severe  to  the  idle  and  wicked,  but  to  the  sober 
and  deserving  he  is  a  leader,  both  just  and  humane.  I  have 
known  many  fond  and  tender  parents,  but  never  have  I  seen 
a  man  whose  heart  was  softer  towards  his  child.  You  have 
seen  the  gray-head  in  front  of  his  warriors,  Magua ;  but  I 
seen  his  eyes  swimming  in  water,  when  he  spoke  of  those 
children  who  are  now  in  your  power." 

Heyward  paused,  for  he  knew  not  how  to  construe  the 
remarkable  expression  that  gleamed  across  the  swarthy  feat 
ures  of  the  attentive  Indian.  At  first  it  seemed  as  if  the 
remembrance  of  the  promised  reward  grew  vivid  in  his  mind, 
while  he  listened  to  the  sources  of  parental  feeling,  which 
were  to  assure  its  possession  ;  but  as  Duncan  proceeded,  the 
expression  of  joy  became  so  fiercely  malignant  that  it  was 
impossible  not  to  apprehend  it  proceeded  from  some  passion 
more  sinister  than  avarice. 

*"  Go,"  said  the  Huron,  suppressing  the  alarming  exhibi- 
tion in  an  instant,  in  a  death-like  calmness  of  countenance  -} 
5:  go  to  the  dark-haired  daughter,  and  say,  Magua  waits  to 
speak.  The  father  will  remember  what  the  child  promises." 

Duncan,  who  interpreted  this  speech  to  express  a  wish  for 
some  additional  pledge  that  the  promised  gifts  should  not  be 
withheld,  slowly  and  reluctantly  repaired  to  the  place  where 
the  sisters  were  now  resting  from  their  fatigue,  to  communi- 
cate its  purport  to  Cora. 

"  You  understand  the  nature  of  an  Indian's  wishes,"  ho 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  Ic, 

concluded,  as  he  led  her  towards  the  place  where  she  was  ej* 
pected,  "  and  must  be  prodigal  of  your  offers  of  powder  and 
blankets.  Ardent  spirits  are,  however,  the  most  prized  by 
such  as  he  ;  nor  would  it  be  amiss  to  add  some  boon  from 
your  own  hand,  with  that  grace  you  so  well  know  how  to 
practise.  Remember,  Cora,  that  on  your  presence  of  miiid 
and  ingenuity  even  your  life,  as  welZ.  as  that  of  Alice,  may  IK 
some  measure  depend." 

"  Heyward,  and  yours." 

"  Mine  is  of  little  moment ;  it  is  already  sold  to  my  kh-g, 
and  is  a  prize  to  be  seized  by  any  enemy  who  may  possess  Uie 
power.  I  have  no  father  to  expect  me,  and  but  few  friends  to 
lament  a  fate  which  I  have  courted  with  the  unsatiable  logg- 
ings of  youth  after  distinction.  But  hush ;  we  approach  tne 
Indian.  Magua,  the  lady  with  whom  you  wish  to  speak,  is 
here." 

The  Indian  rose  slowly  from  his  seat,  and  stood  for  near 
a  minute  silent  and  motionless.  He  then  signed  with  his 
hand  for  Heyward  to  retire,  saying  coldly, — 

"  When  the  Huron  talks  to  the  woman,  his  tribe  shut  their 
ears." 

Duncan,  still  lingering,  as  if  refusing  to  comply,  Cora  said, 
with  a  calm  smile, 

11  You  hear,  Heyward,  and  delicacy  at  least  should  urge 
you  to  retire.  Go  to  Alice,  and  comfort  her  with  our  reviving 
prospects." 

She  waited  until  he  had  departed,  and  then  turning  to  the 
native,  with  the  dignity  of  sex  in  her  voice  and  manner,  sha 
added,  "  What  would  Le  Renard  say  to  the  daughter  of 
Munro  ? " 

"Listen,"  said  the  Indian,  laying  his  hand  firmly  upon  her 
arm,  as  if  willing  to  draw  her  utmost  attention  to  his  words ; 
a  movement  that  Cora  as  firmly  but  quietly  repulsed,  by  ex- 
tricating the  limb  from  his  grasp — "  Magua  was  born  a  chief 
and  a  warrior  among  the  red  Hurons  of  the  lakes  ;  he  saw 
the  sun  of  twenty  summers  make  the  snows  of  twenty  winters 
run  off  in  the  streams,  before  he  saw  a  pale  face  ;  and  he  was 
happy  !  Then  his  Canada  fathers  came  into  the  wopds,  and 
taught  him  to  drink  the  fire-water,  and  he  became  a  rascal. 
The  Hurons  drove  him  from  the  graves  of  his  fathers,  as  they 
would  chase  the  hunted  buffalo.  He  ran  down  the  shores 
of  the  lakes,  and  followed  their  outlet  to  the  '  city  of  cannon.' 
There  he  hunted  and  fished,  till  the  people  chased  him  again 
through  the  woods  into  the  arms;  of  his  enemies.  The  o'w^ 


/02  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

wno  was  born  a  Huron,  was   at  last  a  warrior  among  the 

Mohawks  !  " 

"  Something  like  this  I  had  heard  before,"  said  Cora,  ob 
serving  that  he  paused  to  suppress  those  passions  which  began 
to  burn  with  too  bright  a  flame,  as  he  recalled  the  recollec- 
tion of  his  supposed  injuries. 

"  Was  it  the  fault  of  Le  Renard  that  his  head  was  not 
made  of  rock  ?  Who  gave  him  the  fire-water  ?  who  made  him 
a  villain  ?  'Twas  the  pale-faces,  the  people  of  your  own  color." 

"  And  am  I  answerable  that  thoughtless  and  unprincipled 
men  exist,  whose  shades  of  countenance  may  resemble  mine  ?  " 
Cora  calmly  demanded  of  the  excited  savage. 

"  No  ;  Magua  is  a  man,  and  not  a  fool  ;  such  as  you  never 
open  their  lips  to  the  burning  stream  ;  the  Great  Spirit  has 
given  you  wisdom  ! " 

"  What  then  have  I  to  do,  or  say,  in  the  matter  of  youi 
misfortunes,  not  to  say  of  your  errors  ?  " 

"  Listen,"  repeated  the  Indian,  resuming  his  earnest  atti- 
tude ;  "  when  his  English  and  French  fathers  dug  up  the 
hatchet,  Le  Renard  struck  the  war-post  of  the  Mohawks,  and 
went  out  against  his  own  nation.  The  pale-faces  have  driven 
the  red-skins  from  their  hunting  grounds,  and  now,  when  the} 
fight,  a  white  man  leads  the  way.  The  old  chief  at  Horican, 
your  father,  was  the  great  captain  of  our  war-party.  He  said 
to  the  Mohawks  do  this,  and  do  that,  and  he  was  minded. 
He  made  a  law,  that  if  an  Indian  swallowed  the  fire-water, 
and  came  into  the  cloth  wigwams  of  his  warriors,  it  should 
not  be  forgotten.  Magua  foolishly  opened  his  mouth,  and 
the  hot  liquor  led  him  into  the  cabin  of  Munro.  What  did 
the  gray-head  ?  let  his  danghter  say." 

"  He  forgot  not  his  words,  and  did  justice,  by  punishing 
the  offender,"  said  the  undaunted  daughter. 

"  Justice  !  "  repeated  the  Indian,  casting  an  oblique  glance 
of  the  most  ferocious  expression  at  her  unyielding  counte- 
nance; "is  it  justice  to  make  evil,  and  then  punish  for  it? 
Magua  was  not  himself ;  but  it  was  the  fire-water  that  spoke 
and  acted  for  him  !  but  Munro  did  not  believe  it.  The  Huron 
chief  was  tied  up  before  all  the  pale-faced  warriors,  and  whip, 
ped  like 'a  dog." 

Cora  remained  silent,  for  she  knew  not  how  to  palliate  this 
i-nprudent  severity' on  the  part  of  her  father,  in  a  manner  to 
suit  the  comprehension  of  an  Indian. 

"See  .'"  continued  Magua,  tearing  aside  the  slight  calico 
that  very  imperfectly  concealed  his  painted  breast ;  "  here 


TffB,  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


103 


are  scars  given  by  knives  and  bullets — of  these  a  warrior 
may  boast  before  his  nation  ;  but  the  gray-head  has  left  marks 
on  the  back  of  the  Huron  chief,  that  he  must  hide,  like  a 
squaw,  under  this  painted  cloth  of  the  whites." 

"  I  had  thought,"  resumed  Cora,  "  that  an  Indian  warrior 
was  patient,  and  that  his  spirits  felt  not,  and  knew  not,  the 
rain  his  body  suffered  ? " 

"  When  the  Chippewas  tied  Magua  to  the  stake,  and  cut 
this  gash,"'  said  the  other,  laying  his  finger  on  a  deep  scar, 
"  the  Huron  laughed  in  their  faces,  and  told  them,  Women 
struck  so  light !  His  spirit  was  then  in  the  clouds  !  But 
when  he  felt  theblows  of  Munro,  his  spirit  lay  under  the  birch. 
The  spirit  of  a  Huron  is  never  drunk  ;  it  remembers  forever !  " 

"  But  it  may  be  appeased.  If  my  father  has  done  you  this 
injustice,  show  him  how  an  Indian  can  forgive  an  injury,  and 
take  back  his  daughters.  You  have  heard  from  Major  Hey- 
ward — " 

Magua  shook  his  head,  forbidding  the  repetition  of  offers 
he  so  much  despised. 

"What  would  you  have? "  continued  Cora,  after  a  most 
painful  pause,  while  the  conviction  forced  itself  on  her  mind, 
that  the  too  sanguine  and  generous  Duncan  had  been  cruelly 
deceived  by  the  cunning  of  the  savage. 

"  What  a  Huron  loves — good  for  good  ;  bad  for  bad  ! 

"  You  would  then  revenge  the  injury  inflicted  by  Munro 
on  his  helpless  daughters.  Would  it  not  be  more  like  a  man 
to  go  before  his  face,  and  take  the  satisfaction  of  a  warrior  ?  " 

"  The  arms  of  the  pale-faces  are  long,  and  their  knives 
sharp  !  "  returned  the  savage,  with  a  maligant  laugh  :  "  why 
should  Le  Renard  go  among  the  muskets  of  his  warriors,  when 
he  holds  the  spirit  of  the  gray-head  in  his  hand  ? " 

"  Name  your  intention,  Magua,"  said  Cora,  struggling  with 
herself  to  speak  with  steady  calmness.  "  Is  it  to  lead  us 
prisoners  to  the  woods,  or  do  you  contemplate  even  some 
greater  evil  ?  Is  there  no  reward,  no  means  of  palliating  the 
injury  and  of  softening  your  heart  ?  At  least,  release  my 
gentle  sister,  and  pour  out  all  your  malace  on  me.  Purchase 
wealth  by  her  safety  and  satisfy  your  revenge  with  a  single 
victim.  The  loss  of  both  his  daughters  might  bring  the  aged 
man  to  his  grave,  and  where  would  then  be  the  satisfaction 
of  Le  Renard  ?  " 

"  Listen,"  said  the  Indian  again.  "  The  light  eyes  can  go 
back  to  the  Horican,  and  tell  the  old  chief  what  has  been 
done,  if  the  dark-haired  woman  will  swear  by  the  Great  Spirit 
of  her  fathers  to  tell  no  lie." 


|04  THE  LAST  OP   '1  HE  MOHtvAAfo 

"  What  must  I  promise  ;"  demanded  Cora,  still  maintaining 
a  secret  ascendancy  over  the  fierce  native,  by  the  collected  and 
feminine  dignity  of  her  presence. 

"  When  Magua  left  his  people,  his  wife  was  given  to  anothel 
chief ;  he  has  now  made  friends  with  the  Hurons,  and  will  go 
back  to  the  graves  of  his  tribe,  on  the  shores  of  the  great 
lake.  Let  the  daughter  of  the  English  chief  follow,  and  live 
in  his  wigwam  forever." 

However  revolting  a  proposal  of  such  a  character  might 
prove  to  Cora,  she  retained,  notwithstanding  her  powerful 
disgust,  sufficient  self-command  to  reply,  without  betraying 
the  weakness. 

"  And  what  pleasure  would  Magua  find  in  sharing  his  cabin 
with  a  wife  he  did  not  love  ;  one  who  would  be  of  a  nation 
and  color  different  from  his  own?  It  would  be  better  to  take 
the  gold  of  Munro,  and  buy  the  heart  of  some  Huron  maid 
with  his  gifts." 

The  Indian  made  no  reply  for  near  a  minute,  but  bent  his 
fierce  looks  on  the  countenance  of  Cora,  in  such  wavering 
glances,  that  her  eyes  sank  with  shame,  under  an  impression 
that,  for  the  first  time,  they  had  encountered  an  expression, 
that  no  chaste  female  might  endure.  While  she  was  shrinking 
within  herself,  in  dread  of  having  her  ears  wounded  by  some 
proposal  still  more  shocking  than  the  last,  the  voice  of  Magua 
answered,  in  its  tones  of  deepest  malignancy, — • 

"  When  the  blows  scorched  the  back  of  the  Huron,  he 
would  know  where  to  find  a  woman  to  feel  the  smart.  The 
daughter  of  Munro  would  draw  his  water,  hoe  his  corn,  and 
cook  his  venison.  The  body  of  the  gray-head  would  sleep 
among  his  cannon,  but  his  heart  would  lie  within  the  reach  of 
the  knife  of  Le  Subtil." 

"  Monster  !  well  dost  thou  deserve  thy  treacherous  name  !  " 
cried  Cora  in  an  ungovernable  burst  of  filial  indignation. 
"  None  but  a  fiend  could  meditate  such  a  vengeance !  But 
thou  overratest  thy  power  !  You  shall  find  it  is,  in  truth,  the 
heart  of  Munro  you  hold,  and  that  it  will  defy  your  utmost 
malice  ! " 

The  Indian  answered  this  bold  defiance  by  a  ghastly  smile, 
that  showed  an  unaltered  purpose,  while  he  motioned  hei 
away,  as  if  to  close  the  conference  forever.  Cora,  already  re 
gretting  her  precipitation,  was  obliged  to  comply  ;  for  Magua 
instantly  left  the  spot,  and  approached  his  gluttonous  com- 
rades. Heyward  flew  to  the  side  of  the  agitated  female,  and 
demanded  the  result  of  a  dialogue,  that  he  had  watched  at  a 


THE  LAST  OF  THE. MOHICANS.  105 

distance  with  so  much  interest.  But  unwilling  to  alarm  the 
fears  of  Alice,  she  evaded  a  direct  reply,  betraying  only  by  her 
countenance  her  utter  want  of  success,  and  keeping  her  anxious 
looks  fastened  on  the  slightest  movements  of  their  captors. 
To  the  reiterated  and  earnest  questions  of  her  sister,  concern- 
ing their  probable  destination,  she  made  no  other  answer  than 
by  pointing  towards  the  dark  group  with  an  agitation  she 
could  not  contpol,  and  murmuring  as  she  folded  Alice  to  hei 
bosom, — 

"  There,  there  ;  read  our  fortunes  in  their  faces  ;  we  shall 
see  ;  we  shall  see  !  " 

The  action,  and  the  choked  utterance  of  Cora,  spoke  more 
impressively  than  any  words,  and  quickly  drew  the  attention 
of  her  companions  on  that  spot,  where  her  own  was  riveted 
with  an  intenseness  that  nothing  but  the  importance  of  the 
stake  could  create. 

When  Magua  reached  the  duster  of  lolling  savages,  who, 
gorged  with  their  disgusting  meal,  lay  stretched  on  the  earth 
in  brutal  indulgence,  he  commenced  speaking  with  the  dignity 
of  an  Indian  chief.  The  first  syllables  he  uttered  had  the 
effect  to  cause  his  listeners  to  raise  themselves  in  attitudes  of 
respectful  attention.  As  the  Huron  used  his  native  language, 
the  prisoners,  notwithstanding  the  caution  of  the  natives  had 
kept  them  within  the  swing  of  their1  tomahawks,  could  only 
conjecture  the  substance  of  his  harangue,  from  the  nature  of 
those  significant  gestures  with  which  an  Indian  always  illus- 
trates his  eloquence. 

At  first,  the  language,  as  well  as  the  action  of  Magua,  ap- 
peared calm  and  deliberate.  When  he  succeeded  in  sufficient- 
ly awakening  the  attention  of  his  comrades,  Heyward  fancied, 
by  his  pointing  so  frequently  towards  the  direction  of  the 
great  lakes,  that  he  spoke  of  the  land  of  their  fathers,  and  of 
their  distant  tribe.  Frequent  indications  of  applause  escaped 
the  listeners,  who,  as  they  uttered  the  expressive  "  Hugh  !  " 
looked  at  each  other  in  commendation  of  the  speaker.  Le 
Renard  was  too  skilful  to  neglect  his  advantage.  He  now 
spoke  of  the  long  and  painful  route  by  which  they  had  left 
those  spacious  grounds  and  happy  villages,  to  come  and  battle 
against  the  enemies  of  their  Canadian  fathers.  He  enumer- 
ated the  warriors  of  the  party ;  their  several  merits ;  their 
frequent  services  to  the  nation  ;  their  wounds ;  and  the  number 
of  the  scalps  they  had  taken.  Whenever  he  alluded  to  air? 
present  (and  the  subtle  Indian  neglected  none  ),  the  dark 
countenance  of  the  flattered  individual  gleamed  with  exults 


I06  THE  LAST  OF  TffE  MOB  1C  AW*. 

tion,  nor  did  he  even  hesitate  to  assert  the  truth  of  the  words, 
by  gestures  of  applause  and  confirmation.  Then  the  voice  ol 
the  speaker  fell,  and  lost  the  loud,  animated  tones  of  triumph 
with  which  he  nacl  enumerated  their  deeds  of  success  and 
victory.  He  described  the  cataract  of  Glenn's ;  the  impregna- 
ble position  of  its  rocky  island,  with  its  caverns,  and  its  nu- 
merous rapids  and  whirlpools  ;  he  named  the  name  of  "  L,$ 
bngue  Carabine,"  and  paused  until  the  forest  beneath  them 
had  sent  up  the  last  echo  of  a  loud  and  long  yell,  with  which 
the  hated  appellation  was  received-  He  pointed  toward  the 
youthful  military  captive,  and  described  the  death  of  a  favorite 
warrior,  who  had  been  precipitated  into  the  deep  ravine  by  his 
hand.  He  not  only  mentioned  the  fate  of  him  who,  hanging 
between  heaven  and  earth,  had  presented  such  a  spectacle  of 
horror  to  the  whole  band,  but  he  acted  anew  the  terrors  of  his 
situation,  his  resolution,  and  his  death,  on  the  branches  of  a 
sapling  ;  and,  finally,  he  rapidly  recounted  the  manner  in 
which  each  of  their  friends  had  fallen,  never  failing  to  touch 
upon  their  courage  and  their  most  acknowledged  virtues. 
When  this  recital  of  events  was  ended,  his  voice  once  more 
changed,  and  became  plaintive,  and  even  musical,  in  its  low 
guttural  sounds.  He  now  spoke  of  the  wives  and  children 
of  the  slain  ;  their  destitution  ;  their  misery,  both  physical  and 
moral ;  their  distance  ;  and,  at  last,  of  their  unavenged  wrongs. 
Then,  suddenly  lifting  his  voice  to  a  pitch  of  terrific  energy, 
he  concluded,  by  demanding, — 

"  Are  the  Hurons  dogs  to  bear  this  ?  Who  shall  say  to 
the  wife  of  Menowgua  that  the  fishes  have  his  scalp,  and  that 
his  nation  have  not  taken  revenge  i  Who  will  dare  meet  the 
mother  of  Wassawattimie,  that  scornful  woman,  with  his  hands 
clean  !  What  shall  be  said  to  the  old  men  when  they  ask  us 
for  scalps,  and  we  have  not  a  hair  from  a  white  head  to  give 
them  !  The  women  will  point  their  fingers  at  us.  There  is  a 
dark  spot  on  the  names  of  the  Hurons,  and  it  must  be  hid  in 
blood  ! " 

His  voice  was  no  longer  audible  in  the  burst  of  rage  which 
now  broke  into  the  air,  as  if  the  wood,  instead  of  containing 
so  small  a  band,  was  filled  with  the  nation.  During  the  fore- 
going address  the  progress  of  the  speaker  was  too  plainly 
read  by  those  most  interested  in  his  success,  through  the  me- 
dium of  the  countenances  of  the  men  he  addressed.  They 
had  answered  his  melancholy  and  mourning  by  sympathy  and 
sorrow  ;  nis  assertions,  by  gestures  of  confirmation  ;  and  his 
boastings,  with  the  exultation  of  savages.  When  he  spoke  of 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS,  Ioj 

courage,  their  looks  were  firm  and  responsive ;  when  he  allud- 
ed to  their  injuries,  their  eyes  kindled  with  fury ;  when  he 
mentioned  the  taunts  of  the  women,  they  dropped  their  heads 
in  shame  ;  but  when  he  pointed  out  their  means  of  vengeance, 
he  struck  a  chord  which  never  failed  to  thrill  in  the  breast  of 
an  Indian.  With  the  first  intimation  that  it  was  within  theif 
reach,  the  whole  band  sprung  upon  their  feet  as  one  man  ,* 
giving  utterance  to  their  rage  in  the  most  frantic  cries,  they 
rushed  upon  their  prisoners  in  a  body  with  drawn  knives  and 
uplifted  tomahawks.  Heyward  threw  himself  between  the 
sisters  and  the  foremost,  whom  he  grappled  with  a  desperate 
strength  that  for  a  moment  checked  his  violence.  This  un- 
expected resistance  gave  Magua  time  to  interpose,  and  with 
rapid  enunciation  and  animated  gesture,  he  drew  the  atten- 
tion of  the  band  again  to  himself.  In  that  language  he  knew 
so  well  how  to  assume,  he  diverted  his  comrades  from  that 
instant  purpose,  and  invited  them  to  prolong  the  misery  of 
their  victims.  His  proposal  was  received  with  acclamations, 
and  executed  with  the  swiftness  of  thought. 

Two  powerful  warriors  cast  themselves  on  Heyward,  while 
another  was  occupied  in  securing  the  less  active  singing-mas- 
ter. Neither  of  the  captives,  however,  submitted  without  a 
desperate  though  fruitless  struggle.  Even  David  hurled  his 
assailant  to  the  earth  ;  nor  was  Heyward  secured  until  the 
victory  over  his  companion  enabled  the  Indians  to  direct  their 
united  force  to  that  object.  He  was  then  bound  and  fastened 
to  the  body  of  a  sapling,  on  whose  branches  Magua  had  acted 
the  pantomime  of  the  falling  Huron.  When  the  young  soldier 
regained  his  recollection,  he  had  the  painful  certainty  before 
his  eyes  that  a  common  fate  was  intended  for  the  whole  party. 
On  his  right  was  Cora,  in  a  durance  similar  to  his  own,  pale 
and  agitated,  but  with  an  eye,  whose  steady  look  still  read 
the  proceedings  of  their  enemies.  On  his  left,  the  withes 
which  bound  her  to  a  pine,  performed  that  office  for  Alice 
which  her  trembling  limbs  refused,  and  alone  kept  her  fragile 
form  from  sinking.  Her  hands  were  clasped  before  her  in 
prayer,  but  instead  of  looking  upwards  towards  that  power 
which  alone  could  rescue  them,  her  unconscious  looks  wan- 
dered to  the  countenance  of  Duncan  with  infantile  depen- 
dency. David  had  contended,  and  the  novelty  of  the  circum- 
stance held  him  silent,  in  deliberation  on  the  propriety  of  the 
unusual  occurrence. 

The  vengeance  of  the  Hurons  had  now  taken  a  new  direc 
tion,  and  they  prepared  to  execute  it  with  that  barbarous  in 


toS  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

genuity  \vith  which  they  were  familiarized  by  the  practice  o\ 
centuries.  Some  sought  knots,  to  raise  the  blazing  pile ;  one 
was  riving  the  splinters  of  pine,  in  order  to  pierce  the  flesh 
of  their  captives  with  the  burning  fragments  ;  and  others  bent 
the  tops  .of  two  saplings  to  the  earth,  in  order  to  suspend 
Heyward  by  the  arms  between  the  recoiling  branches.  But 
the  vengeance  of  Magua  sought  a  deeper  and  a  more  majig 
nant  enjoyment. 

While  the  less  refined  monsters  of  the  band  prepared,  be- 
fore the  eyes  of  those  who  were  to  suffer,  these  well-known 
and  vulgar  means  of  torture,  he  approached  Cora,  and  pointed 
out,  with  the  most  malign  expression  of  countenance,  the 
speedy  fate  that  awaited  her — 

"  Ha  !  "  he  added,  "  what  says  the  daughter  of  Munro  ? 
Her  head  is  too  good  to  find  a  pillow  in  the  wigwam  of  Le 
Renard  ;  will  she  like  it  better  when  it  rolls  about  this  hill  a 
plaything  for  the  wolves  ?  Her  bosom  cannot  nurse  the 
children  of  a  Huron ;  she  will  see  it  spit  upon  by  Indians  !  " 

"  What  means  the  monster  !  "  demanded  the  astonished 
Heyward. 

"  Nothing !  "  was  the  firm  reply.  "  He  is  a  savage,  a  bar- 
barous and  ignorant  savage,  and'  knows  not  what  he  does. 
Let  us  find  leisure,  with  our  dying  breath,  to  ask  for  him  peni- 
tence and  pardon." 

"  Pardon ! "  echoed  the  fierce  Huron,  mistaking,  in  his 
anger,  the  meaning  of  her  words  ;  "  the  memory  of  an  Indian 
is  longer  than  the  arm  of  the  pale  faces  ;  his  mercy  shorter 
than  their  justice  !  Say  ,  shall  I  send  the  yellow  hair  to  her 
father,  and  will  you  follow  Magua  to  the  great  lakes,  to  carry 
his  water,  and  feed  him  with  corn  ? " 

Cora  beckoned  him  away,  with  an  emotion  of  disgust  she 
could  not  control. 

fc  Leave  me,"  she  said,  with  a  solemnity  that  for  a  moment 
checked  the  barbarity  of  the  Indian;  "you  mingle  bitterness 
in  my  prayers  ;  you  stand  between  me  and  my  God !  " 

The  slight  impression  produced  on  the  savage  was,  how 
ever,  soon  forgotten,  and  he  continued  pointing,  with  taunt 
ing  irony,  towards  Alice. 

"  Look  !  the  child  weeps  !  She  is  too  young  to  die  !  Send 
her  to  Munro,  to  comb  his  gray  hairs,  and  keep  life  in  the 
heart  of  the  old  man." 

Cora  could  not  resist  the  desire  to  look  upon  her  youthful 
sister,  in  whose  eyes  she  met  an  imploring  glance  that  be* 
frayed  the  longings  of  nature. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  ro^ 

"What  says  he,  dearest  Cora?  "  asked  the  trembling  voice 
of  Alice.  "  Did  he  speak  of  sending  me  to  our  father  ?  " 

For  many  moments  the  elder  sister  looked  upon  the 
younger,  with  a  countenance  that  wavered  with  powerful  and 
contending  emotions.  At  length  she  spoke,  though  her  tones 
had  lost  their  rich  and  calm  fulness  in  an  expression  of  ten- 
derness that  seemed  maternal. 

"  Alice,"  she  said,  "  the  Huron  offers  us  both  life — nay. 
more  than  both  \  he  offers  to  restore  Duncan — our  invaluable 
Duncan,  as  well  as  you,  to  our  friends — to  our  father — to  our 
heart-stricken,  childless  father,  if  I  will  bow  down  this  rebel- 
lious, stubborn  pride  of  mine  and  consent  " — 

Her  voice  became  choked,  and  clasping  her  hands,  she 
looked  upward,  as  if  seeking,  in  her  agony,  intelligence  from 
a  wisdom  that  was  infinite. 

*'  Say  on,"  cried  Alice  ;  "  to  what,  dearest  Cora  ?  Oh  ! 
that  the  proffer  were  made  to  me  !  to  save  you,  to  cheer  our 
aged  father !  to  restore  Duncan,  how  cheerful  could  I  die  !  " 
%  "  Die  !  "  repeated  Cora,  with  a  calmer  and  a  firmer  voice, 
11  that  were  easy  !  Perhaps  the  alternative  may  not  be  less 
so.  He  would  have  me,"  she  continued,  her  accents  sinking 
under  a  deep  consciousness  ;  go  to  the  habitations  of  the 
Hurons  ;  to  remain  there  :  in  short,  to  become  his  wife ! 
Speak,  then,  Alice  ;  child  of  my  affections  !  sister  of  my  love ! 
And  you,  too,  Major  Heyward,  aid  my  weak  reason  with  your 
counsel.  Is  life  to  be  purchased  by  such  a  sacrifice  ?  Will 
you,  Alice,  receive  it  at  my  hands  at  such  a  price  ?  And  you, 
Duncan  ;  guide  me  ;  control  me  between  you  ;  for  I  am  wholly 
yours." 

"  Would  I !  "  echoed  the  indignant  and  astonished  youth, 
"  Cora  !  Cora  !  you  jest  with  our  misery !  Name  not  the 
horrid  alternative  again  ;  the  thought  itself  is  worse  than  a 
thousand  deaths."  . 

"  That  such  would  be  your  answer,  I  well  knew ! "  ex- 
claimed Cora,  her  cheeks  flushing,  and  her  dark  eyes  once 
more  sparkling  with  the  lingering  emotions  of  a  woman. 
"  What  says  my  Alice  ?  for  her  will  I  submit  without  another 
murmur." 

Although  both  Heyward  and  Cora  listened  with  painful 
suspense  and  the  deepest  attention,  no  sounds  were  heard  in 
reply.  It  appeared  as  if  the  delicate  and  sensitive  form  of 
Alice  would  shrink  into  itself,  as  she  listened  to  this  proposal. 
Her  arms  had  fallen  lengthwise  before  her,  the  fingers  mov- 
ing in  slight  convulsions  ;  her  head  dropped  upon  her  bosom, 


TIO 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


and  her  whole  person  seemed  suspended  against  the 
looking  like  some  beautiful  emblem  of  the  wounded  delicacy 
of  her  sex,  devoid  of  animation,  and  y<et  keenly  conscious. 
In  a  few  moments,  however,  her  head  began  to  move  slowly, 
in  a  sign  of  deep,  unconquerable  disapprobation. 

"  No,  no,  no  ;  better  that  we  die  as  we  have  lived,  to- 
gether !  " 

"  Then  die  !  "  shouted  Magua,  hurling  his  tomahawk  with 
violence  at  the  unresisting  speaker,  and  gnashing  his  teeth 
with  a  rage  that  could  no  longer  be  bridled,  at  this  sudden 
exhibition  of  firmness  in  the  one  he  believed  the  weakest  ofc 
the  party.  The  axe  cleaved  the  air  in  front  of  Hey  warn,  and 
cutting  some  of  the  flowing  ringlets  of  Alice,  quivered  in  the 
tree  above  her  head.  The  sight  maddened  Duncan  to  des- 
peration. Collecting  all  his  energies  in  one  effort,  he  snapped 
the  twigs  which  bound  him,  and  rushed  upon  another  savage, 
who  was  preparing,  with  loud  yells,  and  a  more  deliberate 
aim,  to  repeat  the  blow.  They  encountered,  grappled,  and 
fell  to  the  earth  together.  The  naked  body  of  his  antagonist 
afforded  Heyward  no  means  of  holding  his  adversary,  who 
glided  from  his  grasp,  and  rose  again  with  one  knee  on  his 
chest,  pressing  him  down  with  the  weight  of  a  giant.  Duncan 
already  saw  the  knife  gleaming  in  the  air,  when  a  whistling 
sound  swept  past  him,  and  was  rather  accompanied,  than  fol- 
lowed, by  the  sharp  crack  of  a  rifle.  He  felt  his  breast  re- 
lieved from  the  load  it  had  endured ;  he  saw  the  savage  ex- 
pression of  his  adversary's  countenance  change  to  a  look  of 
vacant  wildness,  when  the  Indian  fell  deaci  of  the  faded 
leaves  by  his  side. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Clo. — I  am  gone,  sir, 
And  anon,  sir, 
I'll  be  with  you  again. 

TWELFTH  NIGHT. 

THE  Hurons  stood  aghast  at  this  sudden  visitation  ot 
death  on  one  of  their  band.  But,  as  they  regarded  the  fatal 
accuracy  of  an  aim  which  had  dared  to  immolate  an  enemy  at 
so  much  hazard  to  a  friend,  the  name  of  "La  longue  Cara- 
bine "  burst  simultaneously  from  every  lip,  and  was  succeeded 
by  a  wild  and  a  sort  of  plaintive  howl.  The  cry  was  answered 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  m 

by  a  loud  shout  from  a  little  thicket,  where  the  incautious 
party  had  piled  their  arms  ;  and,  at  the  next  moment,  Hawk- 
eye,  too  eager  to  load  the  rifle  he  had  regained,  was  seen  ad 
vancing  upon  them,  brandishing  the  clubbed  weapon,  and 
cutting  the  air  with  wide  and  powerful  sweeps.  Bold  and 
rapid  as  was  the  progress  of  the  scout,  it  was  succeeded  by~ 
that  of  a  light  and  vigorous  form,  which,  bounding  past  him 
leaped,  with  incredible  activity  and  daring,  into  the  very  cen- 
tre of  the  Hurons,  where  it  stood,  whirling  a  tomahawk,  and 
flourishing  a  glittering  knife,  with  fearful  menaces,  in  front  of 
Cora.  Quicker  than  the  thoughts  could  follow  these  unex- 
pected and  audacious  movements,  an  image,  armed  in  the 
emblematic  panoply  of  death,  glided  before  their  eyes,  and 
assumed  a  threatening  attitude  at  the  other  side.  The  savage 
tormenters  recoiled  before  these  warlike  intruders,  and  uttered 
as  they  appeared  in  such  quick  succession,  the  often  repeated 
and  peculiar  exclamation  of  surprise,  followed  by  the  well 
known  and  dreaded  appellations  of — 

"  Le  Cerf  agile  !  Le  gros  Serpent !  " 

But  the  wary  and  vigilant  leader  of  the  Hurons  was  not 
so  easily  disconcerted.  Casting  his  keen  eyes  around  the 
little  plain,  he  comprehended  the  nature  of  the  assault  at  a 
glance,  and  encouraging  his  followers  by  his  voice  as  well  as 
by  his  example,  he  unsheathed  his  long  and  dangerous  knife, 
and  rushed  with  a  loud  whoop  upon  the  expecting  Chingach- 
gook.  It  was  the  signal  for  a  general  combat.  Neither  party 
had  fire-arms,  and  the  contest  was  to  be  decided  in  the 
deadliest  maaner  ;  hand  to  hand,  with  weapons  of  offence, 
and  none  of  defence. 

Uncas  answered  the  whoop,  and  leaping  on  an  enemy, 
with  a  single,  well-directed  blow  of  his  tomahawk,  cleft  him 
to  the  brain.  Heyward  tore  the  weapon  of  Magua  from  the 
sapling,  and  rushed  eagerly  towards  the  fray.  As  the  com- 
batants were  now  equal  in  number,  each  singled  an  opponent 
from  the  adverse  band.  The  rush  and  blows  passed  with  the 
fury  of  a  whirlwind,  and  the  swiftness  of  lightning.  Hawk- 
eye  soon  got  another  enemy  within  reach  of  his  arm,  and  with 
one  sweep  of  his  formidable  weapon  he  beat  down  the  slight 
and  inartificial  defences  of  his  antagonist,  crushing  him  to 
the  earth  with  the  blow.  Heyward  ventured  to  hurl  the 
tomahawk  he  had  seized,  too  ardent  to  await  the  moment  of 
closing.  It  struck  the  Indian  he  had  selected  on  the  forehead, 
and  checked  for  an  instant  his  onward  rush.  Encouraged  by 
this  slight  advantage,  the  impetuous  young  man  continued  his 


1I2  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

onset,  and  sprang  upon  his  enemy  with  naked  hands.  A 
single  instant  was  sufficient  to  assure  him  of  the  rashness  of 
the  measure,  for  he  immediately  found  himself  fully  engaged, 
with  ail  his  activity  and  courage,  in  endeavoring  to  ward  the 
desperate  thrusts  made  with  the  knife  of  the  Huron.  Unable 
longer  to  foil  an  enemy  so  alert  and  vigilant,  he  threw  his 
arms  about  him,  and  succeeded  in  pinning  the  limbs  of  the 
other  to  his  side,  with  an  iron  grasp,  but  one  that  was  far  too 
sxhausting  to  himself  to  continue  long.  In  this  extremity  he 
heard  a  voice  near  him,  shouting, — 

"  Extarminate  the  varlets  !  no  quarter  to  an  accursed 
Mingo !  " 

At  the  next  moment,  the  breech  of  Hawk-eye's  rifle  fell 
on  the  naked  head  of  his  adversary,  whose  muscles  appeared 
to  wither  under  the  shock,  as  he  sank  from  the  arms  o* 
Duncan,  flexible  and  motionless. 

When  Uncas  had  brained  his  first  antagonist,  he  turned, 
like  a  hungry  lion,  to  seek  another.  The  fifth  and  only  Huron 
disengaged  at  the  first  onset  had  paused  a  moment,  and  then 
seeing  that  all  around  him  were  employed  with  the  deadly 
strife,  he  had  sought,  with  hellish  vengeance,  to  complete  the 
baffled  work  of  revenge.  Raising  a  shout  of  triumph,  he  sprang 
towards  the  defenceless  Cora,  seeding  his  keen  axe,  as  the 
dreadful  precursor  of  his  approach.  The  tomahawk  grazed  her 
shoulder,  and  cutting  the  withes  which  bound  her  to  the  tree, 
left  the  maiden  at  liberty  to  fly.  She  eluded  the  grasp  of  the 
savage,  and  reckless  of  her  own  safety,  threw  herself  on  the 
bosom  of  Alice,  striving,  with  convulsed  and  ill  directed  fingers, 
to  tear  asunder  the  twigs  which  confined  the  person  of  her  sister. 
Any  other  than  a  monster  would  have  relented  at  such  an  act  of 
generous  devotion  to  the  best  and  purest  affection  ;  but  the 
breast  of  the  Huron  was  a  stranger  to  sympathy.  Seizing  Cora 
by  the  rich  tresses  which  fell  in  confusion  about  her  form,  he 
tore  her  from  her  frantic  hold,  and  bowed  her  down  with  brutal 
violence  to  her  knees.  The  savage  drew  the  flowing  curls 
through  his  hand,  and  raising  them  on  high  with  an  out- 
stretched arm,  he  passed  the  knife  around  the  exquisitely 
moulded  head  of  his  victim,  with  a  taunting  and  exulting  laugh. 
But  he  purchased  this  moment  of  fierce  gratification  with  the 
loss  of  the  fatal  opportunity.  It  was  just  then  the  sight  caught 
the  eye  of  Uncas.  Bounding  from  his  footsteps  he  appeared 
for  an  instant  darting  through  the  air,  and  descending  in  a 
ball  he  fell  on  the  chest  of  his  enemy,  driving  him  many  yards 
from  the  spot,  headlong  and  prostrate.  The  violence  ofc  the 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  ,  1 3 

exertion  cast  the.  young  Mohican  at  his  side.  They  arose 
together,  fought  and  bled,  each  in  his  turn.  But  the  conflict 
was  soon  decided ;  the  tomahawk  of  Heyward  and  the  rifle  of 
Hawk-eye  descended  on  the  skull  of  the  Huron,  at  the  same 
moment  that  the  knife  of  Uncas  reached  his  heart. 

The  battle  was  now  entirely  terminated,  with  the  exception 
of  the  protracted  struggle  between  "  Le  Renard  Subtil  "  and 
"  Le  gros  Serpent."  Well  did  these  barbarous  warriors  prove 
that  they  deserved  those  significant  names  which  had  been 
bestowed  for  deeds  in  former  wars.  When  they  engaged, 
some  little  time  was  lost  in  eluding  the  quick  and  vigorous 
thrusts  which  had  been  aimed  at  their  lives.  Suddenly  dart- 
ing on  each  other,  they  closed  and  came  to  the  earth,  twisted 
together  like  twining  serpents,  in  pliant  and  subtle  folds. 
At  the  moment  when  the  victors  found  themselves  unoccupied, 
the  spot  where  these  experienced  and  desperate  combatants 
lay,  could  only  be  distinguished  by  a  cloud  of  dust  and  leaves 
which  moved  from  the  centre  of  the  little  plain  towards  its 
boundary,  as  if  raised  by  the  passage  of  a  whirlwind.  Urged 
by  the  different  motives  of  filial  affection,  friendship,  and 
gratitude,  Heyward  and  his  companions  rushed  with  one 
accord  to  the  place,  encircling  the  little  canopy  of  dust  which 
hung  above  the  warriors.  In  vain  did  Uncas  dart  around  the 
cloud,  with  a  wish  to  strike  his  knife  into  the  heart  of  his 
father's  foe  ;  the  threatening  rifle  of  Hawk-eye  was  raised 
and  suspended  in  vain,  while  Duncan  endeavored  to  seize  the 
limbs  of  the  Huron  with  hands  that  appeared  to  have  lost 
their  power.  Covered  as  they  were,  with  dust  and  blood,  the 
swift  evolutions  of  the  combatants  seemed  to  incorporate 
their  bodies  into  one.  The  death-like  looking  figure  of  the 
Mohican,  and  the  dark  form  of  the  Huron,  gleamed  before 
their  eyes  in  such  quick  and  confused  succession,  that  the 
friends  of  the  former  knew  not  where  nor  when  to  plant  the 
succoring  blow.  It  is  true,  there  were  short  and  fleeting 
moments,  when  the  fiery  eyes  of  Magua  were  seen  glittering, 
like  the  fabled  organs  of  the  basilisk,  through  the  dusty  wreath 
by  which  he  was  enveloped,  and  he  read  by  those  short  and 
deadly  glances  the  fate  of  the  combat  in  the  presence  of  his 
enemies  ;  ere,  however,  any  hostile  hand  could  descend  on 
his  devoted  head,  its  place  was  filled  by  the  scowling  visage 
of  Chingachgook.  In  this  manner  the  scene  of  the  combat 
was  removed  from  the  centre  of  the  little  plain  to  its  verge. 
The  Mohican  now  found  an  opportunity  to  make  a  powerful 
thrust  with  his  knife  ;  Magua  suddenly  relinquished  his  grasps 


ii4  THE  LAST  Of  THE  MOHICANS. 

and  fell  backward  without  motion,  and  seemingly  without  life. 
His  adversary  leaped  from  his  feet,  making  the  arches  of  the 
forest  ring  with  the  sounds  of  triumph. 

"  Well  done  for  the  Delawares !  victory  to  the  Mohican  !  " 
cried  Hawk-eye,  once  more  elevating  the  butt  of  the  long  and 
fatal  rifle  ;  "  a  finishing  blow  from  a  man  without  a  cross  will 
never  tell  against  his  honor,  nor  rob  him  of  his  right  to  the 
scalp." 

But,  at  the  very  moment  when  the  dangerous  weapon  was 
in  the  act  of  descending,  the  subtle  Huron  rolled  swiftly  from 
beneath  the  danger,  over  the  edge  of  the  precipice,  and  falling 
on  his  feet,  was  seen  leaping,  with  a  single  bound,  into  the 
centre  of  a  thicket  of  low  bushes,  which  clung  along  its  sides. 
The  Delawares  who  had  believed  their  enemy  dead,  uttered 
their  exclamation  of  surprise,  and  were  following  with  speed 
and  clamor,  like  hounds  in  open  view  of  the  deei,  when  a 
shrill  and  peculiar  cry  from  the  scout  instantly  changed  their 
purpose,  and  recalled  them  to  the  summit  of  the  hill. 

*  'Twas  like  himself,"  cried  the  inveterate  forester,  whose 
prejudices  contributed  so  largely  to  veil  his  natural  sense  of 
justice  in  all  matters  which  concerned  the  Mingoes,  "  a  lying 
and  deceitful  varlet  as  he  is.  An  honest  Deleware  now,  being 
fairly  vanquished,  would  have  lain  still,  and  been  knocked  on 
the  head,  but  these  knavish  Maquas  cling  to  life  like  so  many 
cats-o'-the-mountain.  Let  him  go — let  him  go;  'tis  but  one 
man,  and  he  without  rifle  or  bow,  many  a  long  mile  from  his 
French  comrades  ;  and,  like  a  rattler  that  has  lost  his  fangs, 
he  can  do  no  farther  mischief,  until  such  time  as  he,  and  we 
too,  may  leave  the  prints  of  our  moccasins  over  a  long  reach 
of  sandy  plain.  See,  Uncas,"  he  added,  in  Delaware,  "your 
father  is  flaying  the  scalps  already.  It  may  be  well  to  go 
round  and  feel  the  vagabonds  that  are  left,  or  we  may  have 
another  of  them  loping  through  the  woods,  and  screeching 
like  a  jay  that  has  been  winged." 

So  saying,  the  honest,  but  implacable  scout,  made  the  cir- 
cuit of  the  dead,  into  whose  senseless  bosoms  he  thrust  his 
long  knife,  with  as  much  coolness  as  though  they  had  been  so 
many  brutal  carcasses.  He  had,  however,  been  anticipated 
by  the  elder  Mohican,  who  had  already  torn  the  emblems  of 
victory  from  the  unresisting  heads  of  the  slain. 

But  Uncas,  denying  his  habits,  he  had  almost  said  his 
nature,  flew  with  instinctive  delicacy,  accompanied  by  Hey- 
ward,  to  the  assistance  of  the  females,  and  quickly  releasing 
Alice,  placed  her  in  the  arms  of  Cora.  We  shall  not  attempt 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  n^ 

to  describe  the  gratitude  to  the  Almighty  Disposer  of  events - 
which  glowed  in  the  bosoms  of  the  sisters,  who  were  thus  un- 
expectedly restored  to  life  and  to  each  other.  Their  thanks^ 
givings  were  deep  and  silent ;  the  offerings  of  the  gentle  spirits, 
burning  brightest  and  purest  on  the  secret  altars  of  their 
hearts  ;  and  their  renovated  and  more  earthly  feeling  exhibit- 
ing themselves  in  long  and  fervent,  though  speechless  caressesc 
As  Alice  rose  from  her  knees,  where  she  had  sunk  by  the  side 
of  Cora,  she  threw  herself  on  the  bosom  of  the  latter,  and 
sobbed  aloud  the  name  of  their  aged  father,  while  her  soft, 
dove-like  eyes,  sparkled  with  the  rays  of  hope. 

"  We  are  saved  !  we  are  saved  !  "  she  murmured  ;  "  to  re- 
turn to  the  arms  of  our  dear,  dear  father,  and  his  heart  will 
not  be  broken  with  grief.  And  you  too,  Cora,  my  sister  ;  my 
more  than  sister,  my  mother;  you  too  are  spared.  And  Dun- 
can," she  added,  looking  round  upon  the  youth  with  a  smile 
of  ineffable  innocence,  "  even  our  own  brave  and  noble  Dun- 
can has  escaped  without  a  hurt." 

To  these  ardent  and  nearly  incoherent  words,  Cora  made 
no  other  answer  than  by  straining  the  youthful  speaker  to  her 
heart,  as  she  bent  over  her  in  melting  tenderness.  The  man- 
hood of  Heyward  felt  no  shame  in  dropping  tears  over  this 
spectacle  of  affectionate  rapture  ;  and  Uncas  stood,  fresh  and 
blood-stained  from  the  combat,  a  calm,  and,  apparently,  an 
unmoved  looker-on,  it  is  true,  but  with  eyes  that  had  already 
lost  their  fierceness,  and  were  beaming  with  a  sympathy  that 
elevated  him  far  above  the  intelligence,  and  advanced  him 
probably  centuries  before  the  practices  of  his  nation. 

During  this  display  of  emotion  so  natural  in  their  situa- 
tion, Hawk-eye,  whose  vigilant  distrust  had  satisfied  itself  that 
the  Hurons,  who  disfigured  the  heavenly  scene,  no  longer  pos- 
sessed the  power  to  interrupt  its  harmony,  approached  David, 
and  liberated  him  from  the  bonds  he  had,  until  that  moment, 
endured  with  the  most  exemplary  patience. 

"  There,"  exclaimed  the  scout,  casting  the  last  withe  be- 
hind him,  uyou  are  once  more  master  of  your  own  limbs, 
though  you  seem  not  to  use  them  with  much  greater  judgment 
than  that  in  which  they  were  first  fashioned.  If  advice  from 
one  who  is  not  older  than  yourself,  but  who,  having  lived  most 
of  his  time  in  the  wilderness,  may  be  said  to  have  experience 
beyond  his  years,  will  give  no  offence,  you  are  welcome  to  my 
thoughts  ;  and  those  are,  to  part  with  the  little  tooting  instru- 
ment in  your  jacket  to  the  first  fool  you  meet  with,  and  buy 
some  useful  we'pon  with  the  money,  if  it  be  only  the  barrel 


tl$  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

cf  a  horseman's  pistol.  By  industry  and  care,  you  might  thu* 
come  to  some  preferment ;  for  by  this  time,  1  should  thin*, 
your  eyes  would  plainly  tell  you  that  a  carrion  crow  is  a  bet 
ter  bird  than  a  mocking  thresher.  The  one  will,  at  least,  re- 
move foul  sights  from  before  the  face  of  man,  while  the  other 
is  only  good  to  brew  disturbances  in  the  woods,  by  cheating 
the  ears  of  all  that  hear  them." 

"  Arms  and  the  clarion  for  the  battle,  but  the  song  of 
thanksgiving  to  the  victory!"  answered  the  liberated  David. 
"  Friend,"  he  added,  thrusting  forth  his  lean,  delicate  hand 
towards  Hawk-eye,  in  kindness,  while  his  eyes  twinkled  and 
grew  moist,  "I  thank  thee  that  the  hairs  of  my  head  still  grow 
where  they  were  first  rooted  by  Providence  ;  for,  though  those 
of  other  men  may  be  more  glossy  and  curling,  I  have  ever 
found  mine  own  well  suited  to  the  brain  they  shelter.  That  I 
did  not  join  myself  to  the  battle,  was  less  owing  to  disinclina- 
tion, than  to  the  bonds  of  the  heathen.  Valiant  and  skilful 
hast  thou  proved  thyself  in  the  conflict,  and  I  hereby  thank 
thee,  before  proceeding  to  discharge  other  and  more  important 
duties,  because  thou  hast  proved  thyself  well  worthy  of  a 
Christian's  praise." 

"  The  thing  is  but  a  trifle,  and  what  you  may  often  see, 
if  you  tarry  long  among  us,"  returned  the  scout,  a  good  deal 
softened  towards  the  man  of  song,  by  this  unequivocal  ex 
pression  of  gratitude.  "  I  have  got  back  my  old  companion, 
'kill-deer,'"  he  added,  striking  his  hand  on  the  breech  of 
rifle  ;  "  and  that  in  itself  is  a  victory.  These  Iroquois  are 
cunning,  but  they  outwitted  themselves  when  thy  placed  their 
fire-arms  out  of  reach  ;  and  had  Uncas  or  his  father  been 
gifted  with  only  their  common  Indian  patience,  we  should 
have  come  in  upon  the  knaves  with  three  bullets  instead  of 
one,  and  that  would  have  made  a  finish  of  the  whole  pack  ; 
yon  loping  varlet,  as  well  as  his  comrades.  But  'twas  all 
fore-ordered,  and  for  the  best." 

"  Thou  sayest  well,"  returned  David,  "  and  hast  caught 
the  true  spirit  of  Christianity.  He  that  is  to  be  saved  will  be 
saved,  and  he  that  is  predestined  to  be  damned  will  be  damned. 
This  is  the  doctrine  of  truth,  and  most  consoling  and  refresh- 
ing it  is  to  the  true  believer." 

The  scout,  who  by  this  time  was  seated,  examining  into  the 
state  of  his  rifle  with  a  species  of  parental  assiduity,  now 
looked  up  at  the  other  in  a  displeasure  that  he  did  not  affect 
to  conceal,  roughly  interrupting  further  speech. 

"  Doctrine  or  no   doctrine,"  said   the  sturdy   woodsman 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  U7 

••  'tis  the  belief  of  knaves,  and  the  curse  of  an  honest  man. 
I  can  credit  that  yonder  Huron  was  to  fall  by  my  hand,  for 
with  my  own  eyes  I  have  seen  it ;  but  nothing  short  of  being 
a  witness,  will  cause  me  to  think  he  has  met  with  any  reward, 
or  that  Chingachgook,  there,  will  be  condemned  at  the  final 
day.'' 

"  You  have  no  warranty  for  such  an  audacious  doctrine, 
nor  any  covenant  to  support  it,"  cried  David,  who  was  deeply- 
tinctured  with  the  subtle  distinctions  which,  in  his  time,  and 
more  especially  in  his  province,  had  been  drawn  around  the 
beautiful  simplicity  of  revelation,  by  endeavoring  to  penetrate 
the  awful  mystery  of  the  divine  nature,  supplying  faith  by  self- 
sufficiency,  and  by  consequence,  involving  those  who  reasoned 
from  such  human  dogmas  in  absurdities  and  doubt ;  "  your 
temple  is  reared  on  the  sands,  and  the  first  tempest  will  wash 
away  its  foundation.  I  demand  your  authorities  for  such  an 
uncharitable  assertion."  Like  other  advocates  of  a  system, 
David  was  not  always  accurate  in  his  use  of  terms.  "  Name 
chapter  and  verse  ;  in  which  of  the  holy  books  do  you  find 
language  to  support  you  ?  " 

"Book!"  repeated  Hawk-eye,  with  singular  and  ill-con- 
cealed disdain  ;  "  do  you  take  me  for  a  whimpering  boy  at 
the  apron  string  of  one  of  your  old  gals  ;  and  this  good  rifle 
on  my  knee  for  the  feather  of  a  goose's  wing,  my  ox's  horn  for 
a  bottle  of  ink,  and  my  leathern  pouch  for  a  cross-barred 
handkerchief  to  carry  my  dinner?  Book  !  what  have  such  as 
I  who  am  a  warrior  of  the  wilderness,  though  a  man  without 
a  cross,  to  do  with  books  ?  I  never  read  but  one,  and  the 
words  that  are  written  there  are  too  simple  and  too  plain  to 
need  much  schooling ;  though  I  may  boast  that  of  forty  long 
and  hard-working  years." 

"  What  call  you  the  volume  ? "  said  David,  misconceiving 
the  other's  meaning. 

"  'Tis  open  before  your  eyes,"  returned  the  scout ;  "  and 
he  who  owns  if  is  not  a  niggard  of  its  use.  I  have  heard  it 
said  that  there  are  men  who  read  in  books  to  convince  them- 
selves there  is  a  God.  I  know  not  but  man  may  so  deform 
his  works  in  the  settlements,  as  to  leave  that  which  is  so  clear 
in  the  wilderness  a  matter  of  doubt  among  traders  and  priests. 
If  any  such  there  be,  and  he  will  follow  me  from  sun  to  sun. 
through  the  windings  of  the  forest,  he  shall  see  enough  to 
teach  him  that  he  is  a  fool,  and  that  the  greatest  of  his  folly 
lies  in  striving  to  rise  to  the  level  of  one  he  can  never  equal, 
be  it  in  goodness,  or  be  it  in  power." 


.  T8  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

The  instant  David  discovered  that  he  battled  with  a  dis 
putant  who  imbibed  his  faith  from  the  lights  of  nature,  eschew- 
ing all  subtleties  of  doctrine,  he  willingly  abandoned  a  corv 
troversy,  from  which  he  believed  neither  profit  nor  credit  was 
to  be  derived.  While  the  scout  was  speaking,  he  had  also 
seated  himself,  and  producing  the  ready  little  volume  and  the 
iron  -rimmed  spectacles,  he  prepared  fo  discharge  a  duty,  which 
nothing  but  the  unexpected  assault  he  had  received  in  his* 
orthodoxy  could  have  so  long  suspended.  He  was,  in  truth 
a  minstrel  of  the  western  continent — of  a  much  later  day,  cer- 
tainly, than  those  gifted  .bards,  who  formerly  sang  the  profane 
renown  of  baron  and  prince,  but  after  the  spirit  of  his  own 
age  and  country ;  and  he  was  now  prepared  to  exercise  the 
cunning  of  his  craft,  in  celebration  of.  or  rather  in  thanks- 
giving for  the  recent  victory.  He  waited  patiently  for  Hawk- 
eye  to  cease,  then  lifting  his  eyesf  together  with  his  voice,  he 
said,  aloud.-  - 

"  I  invite  you,  friends,  to  join  in  praise  for  this  signal  de- 
liverance from  the  hands  of  barbarians  and  infidels,  to  the 
comfortable  and  solemn  tones  of  the  tune,  called  *  North- 
ampton,' y' 

He  next  named  the  page  and  verse  where  the  rhymes 
selected  were  to  be  found,  and  applied  the  pitch-pipe  to  his 
lips,  with  the  decent  gravity  that  he  had  been  wont  to  use  in  the 
temple.  This  time  he  was,  however,  without  any  accompani 
ment,  for  the  sisters  were  just  then  pouring  o'  t  those  tender 
effusions  of  affection  which  have  been  already  alluded  to. 
Nothing  deterred  by  the  smallness  of  his  audiences;  which,  in 
truth,  consisted  only  of  the  discontented  scout,  he  raised  his 
voice,  commencing  and  ending  the  sacred  song  without  ac- 
cident or  interruption  of  any  kind. 

Hawk-eye  listened,  while  he  coolly  adjusted  his  flint  and 
reloaded  his  rifle ;  but  the  sounds,  wanting  the  extraneous 
assistance  of  scene  and  sympathy,  failed  to  awaken  his 
slumbering  emotions.  Never  minstrel,  or  by  whatever  more 
suitable  name  David  should  be  known,  drew  upon  his 
talents  in  the  presence  of  more  insensible  auditors  ;  though, 
considering  the  singleness  and  sincerity  of  his  motive,  it  is 
"  probable  that  no  bard  of  profane  song  ever  uttered  notes  that 
ascended  so  near  to  that  throne  where  all  homage  and  praise 
i.>  due.  The  scout  shook  his  head,  and  muttering  some  unin< 
telligible  words,  among  which  "  Throat "  and  "  Iroquois," 
were  alone  audible,  he  walked  away,  to  collect,  and  to  ex- 
amine into  the  state  of  the  captured  arsenal  of  the  Hurons, 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  j  t«j 

in  this  office  he  was  now  joined  by  Chingachgook.  who  founo 
his  own,  as  well  as  the  rifle  of  his  son,  among  the  arms. 
Even  Heyward  and  David  were  furnished  with  weapons  ,- 
nor  was  ammunition  wanting  to  render  them  all  effectual 

When  the  foresters  had  made  their  selection,  and  dis 
tributed  their  prizes,  the  scout  announced  that  the  hour  had 
arrived  when  it  was  necessary  to  move.  By  this  time  the 
song  of  Gamut  had  ceased,  and  the  sisters  had  learned  to 
still  the  exhibition  of  their  emotions.  Aided  by  Duncan  and 
the  younger  Mohican,  the  two  latter  descended  the  precipitous 
sides  of  that  hill  which  they  had  so  lately  ascended  under  so 
very  different  auspices5  and  whose  summit  had  so  nearly 
proved  the  scene  of  their  massacre.  At  the  foot,  they  found 
the  Narragansets  browsing  the  herbage  of  the  bushes ;  and 
having  mounted  they  followed  the  movements  of  the  guide, 
who5  in  the  most  deadly  straits,  had  so  often  proved  himself 
their  friend.  The  journey  was,  however5  short.  Hawk-eye^ 
leaving  the  blind  path  that  the  Hurons  had  followed,  turned 
shvrt  tc  his  right,  and  entering  the  thicket,  he  crossed  a 
babb''ng  brook5  and  halted  in  a  narrow  dell,  under  the  shade 
of  a  %w  water  ^Ims.  Their  distance  from  the  base  of  the 
fatal  hill  was  but  a  few  rod^,  -M-  :l  the  steeds  had  been  service- 
,abL  only  n  crossing  the  shallow  stream. 

The  sco  it  and  the  Indians  appeared  to  be  familiar  with 
the  sequestered  place  where  they  now  were  ,  for,  leaning  their 
rifles  agaaist  the  trees,  they  commenced  throwing  aside  the 
dried  leaves,  and  opening  the  blue  clay>  Dut  of  which  a  clear 
and  sparkling  spring  of  bright,  glancing  water,  quickly  bubbled. 
The  white  man  then  looked  about  him,  as  though  seeking  for 
some  object  which  was  not  to  be  found  as  readily  as  he  ex- 
pected. 

•'  Them  earless  imps,  the  Mohawks,  with  their  Tuscarora 
and  Onondaga  brethren,  have  been  here  slaking  their  thirst,'' 
he  'nuttered;  "and  the  vagabonds  have  thrown  away  the 
gourd  !  This  is  the  way  with  benefits,  when  they  are  bestowed 
on  such  disremembering  hounds  !  Here  has  the  Lord  laid 
his  band,  in  the  midst  of  the  howling  wilderness,  or  .their 
good-  acid  raised  a  fountain  of  water  from  the  bowels  of  the 
'arth,  that  might  laugh  at  the  richest  shop  of  apothecary's 
ware  in  all  the  colonies;  and  see!  the  knaves  have  trodden 
in  the  clay,  and  deformed  the  cleanliness  of  the  place,  as 
though  they  were  brute  beasts,  instead  of  human  men.  ' 

Uncas  silently  extended  towards;  him  the  desired  gourd, 
which  the  spleen  of  Hawk-eyo  had  hitherto  ;>reven'ed  him 


t20  THE  LAS!  Ob  THE  MOHICANS*. 

from  observing,  on  a  branch  ot  an  elm.  Filling  "twithwatei 
he  retired  a  short  distance,  to  a  pjace  where  the  ground  was 
more  firm  and  dry ;  here  he  coolly  seated  himself,  and  after 
taking  a  long  and  apparently  a  grateful  draught,  he  corn 
menced  a  very  strict  examination  of  the  fragments  of  food  left 
by  the  Hurons,  which  had  hung  in  a  wallet  on  his  arm. 

"  Thank  you,  lad,"  he  continued,  returning  the  ^mpty 
gourd  to  Uncas ;  "now  we  will  see  how  these  rampaging 
Hurons  lived,  when  outlying  in  ambushments.  Look  at  this  ! 
The  varlets  know  the  better  pieces  of  the  deer  ;  and  one 
would  think  they  might  carve  and  roast  a  saddle,  equal  to 
the  best  cook  in  the  land.  But  everything  is  raw,  for  the 
Iroquois  are  thorough  savages.  Uncas,  take  my  steel,  and 
kindle  a  fire ;  a  mouthfu.  of  a  tender  broil  will  give  natur'  a 
helping  hand,  after  so  long  a  trail." 

Heyward,  perceiving  that  their  guides  now  set  about  their 
repast  in  sober  earnest,  assisted  the  ladies  to  alight,  and 
placed  himself  at  their  side,  not  unwilling  to  enjoy  a  few 
moments  of  grateful  rest,  after  the  bloody  scene  he  had  just 
gone  through.  While  the  culinary  process  was  in  hand, 
curiosity  induced  him  to  inquire  into  the  circumstances  which 
had  led  to  their  timel  and  unexpected  rescue — 

J*  How  is  i  that  we  see  you  so  soon,  my  generous  friend," 
he  asked,  "  and  without  aid  from  the  garrison  of  Edward  ? " 

"Had  we  gone  to  the  bend  in  the  river,  we  might  have 
been  in  time  to  rake  the  leaves  over  your  bodies,  but  loo  late 
to  have  saved  your  scalps,"  coolly  answered  the  scout.  •'  No, 
no:  instead  of  throwing  away  strength  and  opportunity  by 
crossing  to  the  fort,  we  lay  by,  under  the  bank  of  the  Hudson, 
waiting  to  watch  the  movements  of  the  Hurons." 

'l  You  were,  then,  witnesses  of  all  that  passed  ? " 

"  Not  of  all ;  for  Indian  sight  is  too  keen  to  be  easily 
cheated,  and  we  kept  close.  A  difficult  matter  it  was,  too,  to 
keep  this  Mohican  boy  snug  in  the  ambushment.  Ah  !  Ureas, 
Uncas,  your  behavior  was  more  like  that  of  a  curious  woman 
than  of  a  warrior  on  his  scent." 

Uncas  permitted  his  eyes  to  turn  for  an  instant  on  the 
sturdy  countenance  of  the  speaker,  but  he  neither  spoke  nor 
gave  any  indication  of  repentance.  On  the  contrary,  Hey* 
ward  thought  the  manner  of  the  young  Mohican  was  disdain- 
ful, if  not  a  little  fierce,  and  that  he  suppressed  passions  that 
were  ready  to  explode,  as  much  in  compliment  to  the  lis- 
ten ersTas  from  the  deference  he  usually  paid  to  his  white 
associate. 


THE  LAS?  OF  THE  MOHICANS,  I2k 

saw  our  capture  ?  "  Hey  ward  next  demanded, 

"  We  heard  it.'  was  the  significant  answer  '' An  Indian 
yell  is  plain  language  to  men  whc  have  passed  their  days  in 
the  woodSc  But  when  you  landed,  we  were  driven  to  crawl, 
like  sarpents,  beneath  the  leaves;  and  then  we  lost  sight  of 
you  entirely,  until  we  placed  eyes  on  you  again,  trussed  Ao  the 
trees,  and  ready  bound  for  an  Indian  massacre/' 

"  Our  rescue  was  the  deed  of  Providence.  It  was  nearly 
a  miracle  that  you  did  not  mistake  the  path,  for  the  Hurons 
divided,  and  each  band  had  its  horses  " 

"  Ay  !  there  we  were  thrown  off  the  scent,  and  might,  in« 
deed,  have  lost  the  trail,  had  it  not  been  for  Uncas ;  we  took 
the  path,  however,  that  led  into  the  wilderness  ;  for  we  judged, 
and  judged  rightly,  that  the  savages  would  hold  that  course 
with  their  prisoners.  But  when  we  had  followed  it  for  many 
miles,  without  finding  a  single  twig  broken,  as  I  had  advised, 
my  mind  misgave  me  :  especially  as  all  the  footsteps  had  the 
prints  of  moccasins,'' 

"  Our  captors  had  the  precaution  to  see  us  shod  like 
themselves,''  said  Duncan,  raising  a  foot,  and  exhibiting  the 
buckskin  he  wore. 

"  Ay  !  'twas  judgmatical,  and  like  themselves  :  though  we 
were  too  expart  to  be  thrown  from  a  trail  bv  so  common  an 
invention." 

"To  what,  then>  are  we  indebted  tor  our  safety  ? ' 

"  To  what,  as  a  white  man  who  has  no  taint  of  Indian 
blood,  I  should  be  ashamed  to  own  ;  to  the  judgment  of  the 
young  Mohican,  in  matters  which  I  should  know  better  than 
he,  but  which  I  can  now  hardly  believe  to  be  true,  though  my 
own  eyes  tell  me  it  is  so.' 

"  'Tis  extraordinary  !  will  you  not  name  the  reason  ? ' 

"  Uncas  was  bold  enough  to  say,  that  the  Deasts  ridden 
by  the  gentle  ones,'-'  continued  Hawk-eye,  glancing  his-  eyes, 
not  without  curious  interest,  on  the  fillies  of  the  ladies, 
"  planted  the  legs  of  one  side  on  the  ground  at  the  same 
time,  which  is  contrary  to  the  movements  of  all  trotting  four- 
footed  animals  of  my  knowledge5  except  the  bear.  And  yet 
here  are  horses  that  always  journey  in  this  manner,  as  my 
own  eyes  have  seen,  and  as  their  trail  has  shown  for  twenty 
long  miles." 

"  'Tis  the  merit  of  the  animal !  They  come  from  the 
shores  of  Narragansett  Bay,  in  the  small  province  of  Provi- 
dence plantations,  and  are  celebrated  for*their  hardihood,  and 
the  ease  of  this  peculiar  movement ;  though  other  horses  are 
Mot  unfrequently  trained  to  the  same." 


122  THE  LAST  OP  THE  MOHICANS. 

'  It  may  be — it  may  be/'  said  Hawk-eye,  who  had  listened 
with  singular  attention  to  this  explanation  f  "  though  I  am  a 
man  who  has  the  full  blood  of  the  whites,  my  judgment  in 
deer  and  beaver  is  greater  than  in  beasts  of  burden.  Major 
Effingham  has  many  noble  chargers,  but  I  have  never  seen 
one  travei  after  such  a  sideling  gait." 

"  True  •  tor  he  would  value  the  animals  foi  very  different 
properties  Still  is  this  a  breed  highly  esteemed,  and,  as  you 
witness,  much  honored  with  the  burdens  it  is  often  destined 
to  bear.'' 

The  Mohicans  had  suspended  their  operations  about  the 
glimmering  fire,  to  listen  ;  and  when  Duncan  had  done,  they 
looked  at  each  other  significantly,  the  father  uttering  the 
never-failing  exclamation  of  surprise.  The  scout  ruminated 
like  a  man  digesting  his  newly-acquired  knowledge,  and  once 
more  stole  a  curious  glance  at  the  horses, 

"  I  dare  to  say  there  are  even  stranger  sights  to  be  seen 
in  the  settlements,''  he  said,  at  length ;  "  natur  is  sadly 
abused  by  man.  when  he  once  gets  the  mastery.  But,  go 
sidelong  or  go  straight,  Uncas  had  seen  the  movement,  and 
their  trail  led  us  on  to  the  broken  bush.  The  outer  branch, 
near  the  prints  of  one  of  the  horses,  was  bent  upward,  as  a 
lady  breaks  a  flower  from  its  stem,  but  all  the  rest  were  ragged 
and  broken  down,  as  if  the  strong  hand  of  a  man  had  been 
tearing  them  !  So  I  concluded,  that  the  cunning  varments 
had  seen  the  twig  bent,  and  had  torn  the  rest,  to  make  us  be- 
lieve a  buck  had  been  feeling  the  boughs  with  his  antlers.5' 

"  I  do  believe  your  sagacity  did  not  deceive  you  ;  for  some 
such  thing  occurred; ' 

"  That  was  easy  to  see,'  added  the  scout,  in  no  degree 
conscious  of  having  exhibited  any  extraordinary  sagacity  • 
"  and  a  very  different  matter  it  was  from  a  waddling  horse. 
It  then  struck  me  the  Mingoes  would  push  for  this  spring,  for 
the  knaves  well  know  the  vartue  of  its  waters.' 

"  Is  it  then,  so  famous  ? "  demanded  Heyward,  examining, 
with  a  more  curious  eye5  the  secluded  dell,  with  its  bubbling 
fountain,  surrounded,  as  it  was,  by  earth  of  a  deep,  dingy  brown, 

"  Few  red-skins,  who  travel  south  and  east  of  the  great 
Jakes,  but  have  heard  of  its  qualities.  Will  you  taste  for 
yourself  ? ' 

Heyward  took  the  gourd,  and  after  swallowing  a  little  of 
the  water,  threw  it  aside  with  grimaces  of  discontent.  The 
scout  laughed  in  his*silent,  but  heartfelt  manner^  and  shook 
his  head  with  vast  satisfaction. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS*  12, 

"  Ah  !  you  want  the  flavor  that  one  gets  by  habit ;  the 
time  was  when  I  liked  it  as  little  as  yourself ;  but  1  have 
come  to  my  taste,  and  I  now  crave  it,  as  the  deer  does  the 
licks.*  Your  high-spiced  wines  are  not  better  liked  than  the 
red-skin  relishes  this  water  ;  especially  when  his  nature  is  ail- 
ing. But  Uncas  has  made  his  fire,  and  it  is  time  we  think  of 
eating,  for  our  journey  is  long,  and  all  before  us." 

Interrupting  the  dialogue  by  his  abrupt  transition,  the 
scout  had  instant  recourse  to  the  fragments  of  food  which  had 
escaped  the  voracity  of  the  Hurons.  A  very  summary  pro- 
cess completed  the  simple  cookery,  when  he  and  the  Mohicans 
commenced  their  humble  meal,  with  the  silence  and  charac- 
teristic diligence  of  men,  who  ate  in  order  to  enable  them- 
selves to  endure  great  and  unremitting  toil. 

When  this  necessary,  and,  happily,  grateful  duty  had  been 
performed,  each  of  the  foresters  stooped  and  took  a  long  and 
parting  draught  at  that  solitary  and  silent  spring, f  around 
which  and  its  sister  fountains,  within  fifty  years,  the  wealth, 
beauty,  and  talents,  of  a  hemisphere,  were  to  assemble  in 
throngs,  in  pursuit  of  health  and  pleasure.  Then  Hawk-eye 
announced  his  determination  to  proceed.  Tha  sisters  resumed 
their  saddles  ;  Duncan  and  David  grasptd  their  rifles,  and 
followed  on  their  footsteps  j  the  scout  leading  the  advance, 
and  the  Mohicans  bringing  up  the  rear.  The  whole  party 
moved  swiftly  through  the  narrow  path,  towards  the  north, 
leaving  the  healing  waters  to  mingle  unheeded  with  the  ad- 
jacent brook,  and  the  bodies  of  the  dead  to  fester  on  the 
neighboring  mount,  without  the  rites  of  sepulture  ;  a  fate  but 
toe  common  to  the  warriors  of  the  woods,  to  excite  either 
commiseration  or  comment.  i 

*  Many  of  the  animals  ot  the  American  forests  resort  to  those  spots  where  salt 
springs  are  found.  These  are  called  "  licks,"  or  "salt  licks''  in  the  language  of  the 
country,  from  the  circumstance  that  the  quadruped  is  often  obliged  to  lick  the  earth, 
in  order  to  obtain  the  saline  particles.  These  licks  are  great  places  of  resort  with 
the  hunters,  who  waylay  their  game  near  the  paths  that  lead  to  them. 

|  The  scene  of  the  foregoing  incidents  is  on  the  spot  where  the  village  of  BaJls* 
ton  now  stands  ;  one  of  the  two  principal  watering-places  of  America, 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

I'll  seek  a  readier  path. 

PARNELL. 

THE  route  taken  by  Hawk-eye  lay  across  those  sandy 
plains,  relieved  by  occasional  valleys  and  swells  of  land,  which 
had  been  traversed  by  their  party  on  the  same  morning  of  the 
day,  with  the  baffled  Magua  for  their  guide.  The  sun  had 
now  fallen  low  towards  the  distant  mountains ;  and  as  theit 
journey  lay  through  the  interminable  forest,  the  heat  was  no 
longer  oppressive.  Their  progress,  in  consequence,  was  pro- 
portionate ;  and  long  before  the  twilight  gathered  about  them, 
they  had  made  a  good  many  toilsome  miles  on  their  return. 

The  hunter,  like  the  savage  whose  place  he  filled,  seemed  to 
select  among  the  blind  signs  of  their  wild  route,  with  a  species 
of  instinct,  seldom  abating  his  speed,  and  never  pausing  to 
deliberate.  A  rapid  and  oblique  glance  at  the  moss  OK  the 
trees,  with  an  occasional  upward  gaze  towards  the  setting  sun, 
or  a  steady  but  passing  look  at  the  direction  of  the  numerous 
watercourses  through  which  he  waded,  were  sufficient  to  de- 
termine his  path,  and  remove  his  greatest  difficulties.  In  the 
mean  time,  the  forest  began  to  change  its  hues,  losing  that 
lively  green  which  had  embellished  its  arches,  in  the  graver 
light  which  is  the  usual  precursor  of  the  close  of  day. 

While  the  eyes  of  the  sisters  were  endeavoring  to  catch 
glimpses  through  the  trees,  of  the  flood  of  golden  glory  which 
formed  a  glittering  halo  around  the  sun,  tinging  here  and  there 
with  ruby  streaks,  or  bordering  with  narrow  edgings  of  shin- 
ing yellow,  a  mass  of  clouds  that  lay  piled  at  no  great  distance 
above  the  western  hills,  Hawk-eye  turned  suddenly,  and, 
pointing  upwards  towards  the  gorgeous  heavens,  he  spoke. 

"  Yonder  is  the  signal  given  to  man  to  seek  his  food  and 
natural  rest,"  he  said;  "better  and  wiser  would  it  be,  if  he 
could  understand  the  signs  of  nature,  and  take  a  lesson  from 
the  fowls  of  the  air  and  the  beasts  of  the  fields  !  Our  night, 
however,  will  soon  be  over ;  for,  with  the  moon,  we  must  be 
up  and  moving  again.  I  remember  to  have  fou't  the  Maquas, 
hereaways,  in  the  first  war  in  which  I  ever  drew  blood  from 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHKANS.  125 

man ;  and  we  threw  up  a  work  of  blocks  to  keep  the  ravenous 
varments  from  handling  our  scalps.  If  my'marks  do  not  fail 
me,  we  shall  find  the  place  a  few  rods  further  to  our  left." 

Without  waiting  for  an  assent,  or,  indeed,  for  any  reply, 
the  sturdy  hunter  moved  boldly  into  a  dense  thicket  of  young 
chestnuts,  shoving  aside  the  branches  of  the  exuberant  shoots 
which  nearly  covered  the  ground,  like  a  man  who  expected, 
at  each  step,  to  discover  some  object  he  had  formerly  known. 
The  recollection  of  the  scout  did  not  deceive  him.  After 
penetrating  through  the  brush,  matted  as  it  was  with  briers, 
for  a  few  hundred  feet,  he  entered  an  open  space  that  sur- 
rounded a  low,  green  hillock,  which  was  crowned  by  the  de- 
cayed block-house  in  question.  This  rude  and  neglected 
building  was  one  of  those  deserted  works,  which  having  been 
thrown  up  on  an  emergency,  had  been  abandoned  with  the 
disappearance  of  danger,  and  was  now  quietly  crumbling  in 
the  solitude  of  the  forest,  neglected  and  nearly  forgotten,  like 
the  circumstances  which  had  caused  it  to  be  reared.  Such 
memorials  of  the  passage  and  struggles  of  man  are  yet  fre- 
quent throughout  the  broad  barrier  of  wilderness  which  once 
separated  the  hostile  provinces,  and  form  a  species  of  ruins 
that  are  intimately  associated  with  the  recollections  of  colonial 
history,  and  which  are  in  appropriate  keeping  with  the  gloomy 
character  of  the  surrounding  scenery.*  The  roof  of  bark  had 
long  since  fallen,  and  mingled  with  the  soil ;  but  the  huge 
logs  of  pine,  which  had  been  hastily  thrown  together,  still 
preserved  their  relative  positions,  though  one  angle  of  the 
work  had  given  way  under  the  pressure,  and  threatened  a 
speedy  downfall  to  the  remainder  of  the  rustic  edifice.  While 
Heyward  and  his  companions  hesitated  to  approach  a  building 
so  decayed,  Hawk-eye  and  the  Indians  entered  within  the  low 
walls,  not  only  without  fear,  but  with  obvious  interest.  While 
the  former  surveyed  the  ruins,  both  internally  and  externally, 

*  Some  years  since,  the  writer  was  shooting  in  the  vicinity  of  th?  ruins  of  Fort 
Oswego,  which  stands  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Ontario.  His  game  was  deer,  an<3 
his  chase  a  forest  that  stretched,  with  little  interruption,  fifty  miles  inland.  Unex- 
pectedly he  came  upon  six  or  eight  ladders  lying  in  the  woods  within  a  short  distance 
of  each  other.  They  were  rudely  made,  and  much  decayed.  Wondering  what 
could  have  assembled  so  many  of  these  instruments  in  such  a  place,  he  sought  an 
old  man  who  resided  near  for  the  explanation. 

During  the  war  of  1776  Fort  Oswego  was  held  by  the  British.  An  expedition 
had  been  sent  two  hundred  miles  through  the  wilderness  to  surprise  the  fort.  It 
appears  that  the  Americans,  on  reaching  the  spot  named,  which  was  within  a  mile 
or  two  of  the  fort,  first  learned  that  they  were  expected,  and  in  great  danger  of 
being  cut  off.  They  threw  away  their  scaling  ladders,  and  made  a  rapid  retreat. 
These  ladders  had  lain  unmolested  thirty  years,  in  the  spot  where  they  had 
tfus  been  cast. 


I26  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

with  the  curiosity  of  one  whose  recollections  were  reviving  at 
each  moment,  Chingachgook  related  to  his  son,  in  the  lan- 
guage of  the  Delawares,  and  with  the  pride  of  a  conqueror, 
the  brief  history  of  the  skirmish  which  had  been  fought  in  his 
youth,  in  that  secluded  spot.  A  strain  of  melancholy,  how- 
ever, blended  with  his  triumph,  rendering  his  voice,  as  usual 
soft  and  musical. 

In  the  meantime  the  sisters  gladly  dismounted,  and  pre 
pared  to  enjoy  their  halt  in  the  coolness  of  the  evening,  and 
in  a  security  which  they  believed  nothing  but  the  beasts  of  the 
forest  could  invade. 

"  Would  not  our  resting-place  have  been  more  retired,  my 
worthy  friend,"  demanded  the  more  vigilant  Duncan,  perceiv- 
ing that  the  scout  had  already  finished  his  short  survey,  "  had 
we  chosen  a  spot  less  known,  and  one  more  rarely  visited  than 
this  ? " 

"  Few  live  who  know  the  block-house  was  ever  raised," 
was  the  slow  and  musing  answer  ;  "  'tis  not  often  that  books 
are  made,  and  narratives  written,  of  such  a  skrimage  as  was 
here  fout  atween  the  Mohicans  and  the  Mohawks,  in  a  war  of 
their  own  waging.  I  was  then  a  younker,  and  went  out  with 
the  Delawares,  because  I  know'd  they  were  a  scandalized  and 
wronged  race.  Forty  days  and  forty  nights  did  the  imps  crave 
our  blood  around  this  pile  of  logs,  which  I  designed  and  partly 
reared,  being,  as  you'll  remember,  no  Indian  myself,  but  a 
man  without  a  cross.  The  Delawares  lent  themselves  to  the 
work,  and  we  made  it  good,  ten  to  twenty,  until  our  numbers 
were  nearly  equal,  and  then  we  sallied  out  upon  the  hounds, 
and  not  a  man  of  them  ever  got  back  to  tell  the  fate  of  his 
party.  Yes,  yes  ;  I  was  then  young,  and  new  to  the  sight  of 
blood  ;  and  not  relishing  the  thought  that  creatures  who  had 
spirits  like  myself  should  lay  on  the  naked  ground,  to  be  torn 
asunder  by  beasts,  or  to  bleach  in  tfce  rains,  I  buried  the  dead 
with  my  own  hands,  under  that  very  little  hillock  where  you 
have  placed  yourselves  ;  and  no  bad  seat  does  it  make  neither, 
though  it  be  raised  by  the  bones  of  mortal  men." 

Heyward  and  the  sisters  arose,  on  the  instant,  from  the 
grassy  sepulchre  ;  nor  could  the  two  latter,  notwithsanding  the 
terrific  scenes  they  had  so  recently  passed  through,  entirely 
suppress  an  emotion  of  natural  horror,  when  they  found  them- 
selves in  such  familiar  contact  with  the  grave  of  the  dead 
Mohawks.  The  gray  light,  the  gloomy  little  area  of  dark 
grass,  surrounded  by  its  border  of  brush,  beyond  which  the 
pines  rose,  in  breathing  silence,  apparently,  into  the  very 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS,  127 

clouds,  and  the  deathlike  stillness  of  the  vast  forest,  were  all 
in  unison  to  deepen  such  a  sensation. 

"  They  are  gone,  and  they  are  harmless,"  continued  Hawk- 
eye,  waving  his  hand,  with  a  melancholy  smile,  at  their  mani- 
fest alarm  :  *'  they'll  never  shout  the  war-whoop  nor  strike  a 
blow  with  the  tomahawk  again  !  And  of  all  those  who  aided 
in  placing  them  where  they  lie,  Chingachgook  and  I  only  are 
living !  The  brothers  and  family  of  the  Mohican  formed  our 
war-party  ;  and  you  see  before  you  all  that  are  now  left  of  his 
race." 

The  eyes  of  the  listeners  involuntarily  sought  the  forms  of 
the  Indians,  with  a  compassionate  interest  in  their  desolate 
fortune.  Their  dark  persons  were  still  to  be  seen  within  the 
shadows  of  the  block-house,  the  son  listening  to  the  relation 
of  his  father  with  that  sort  of  intenseness  which  would  be 
created  by  a  narrative  that  redounded  so  much  to  the  honor 
of  those  whose  names  he  had  long  revered  for  their  courage 
and  savage  virtues. 

"  I  had  thought  the  Delawares  a  pacific  people,"  said  Dun- 
can, "  and  that  they  never  waged  war  in  person  ;  trusting  the 
defence  of  their  lands  to  those  very  Mohawks  that  you  slew  !  " 

"  'Tis  true  in  part,"  returned  the  scout,  "  and  yet,  at  the 
bottom,  uis  a  wicked  lie.  Such  a  treaty  was  made  in  ages 
gone  by,  dirough  the  deviltries  of  the  Butchers,  who  wished 
to  disarm  the  natives  that  had  the  best  right  to  the  country, 
where  they  had  settled  themselves.  The  Mohicans,  though  a 
part  of  the  same  nation,  having  to  deal  with  the  English, 
never  entered  into  the  silly  bargain,  but  kept  to  their  man- 
hood ;  as  in  truth  did  the  Delawares,  when  their  eyes  were 
opened  to  their  folly.  You  see  before  you  a  chief  of  the  great 
Mohican  Sagamores !  Once  his  family  could  chase  their  deer 
over  tracts  of  country  wider  than  that  which  belongs  to  the 
Albany  Patterroon,  without  crossing  brook  or  hill  that  was  not 
(heir  own  ;  but  what  is  left  to  their  descendant !  He  may  find 
his  six  feet  of  earth  when  God  chooses,  and  keep  it  in  peace, 
perkaps,  if  he  has  a  friend  who  will  take  the  pains  to  sink 
his  head  so  low  that  the  ploughshares  cannot  reach  it ! " 

"  Enough  !  "  said  Heyward,  apprehensive  that  the  subject 
might  lead  to  a  discussion  that  would  interrupt  the  harmony 
so  necessary  to  the  preservation  of  his  fair  companions  :  "  we 
have  journeyed  far,  and  few  among  us  are  blessed  with  forms 
like  that  of  yours,  which  seems  to  know  neither  fatigue  nor 
Weakness." 

"The  sinews  and  bones  of  a  man  carry  me  through  it  all," 


»2S  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

said  'he  hunter,  surveying  his  muscular  limbs  with  a  simplicity 
that  betrayed  the  honest  pleasure  the  compliment  afforded 
him  :  "  there  are  larger  and  heavier  men  to  be  found  in  the 
settlements,  but  you  might  travel  many  days  in  a  city  before 
you  could  meet  one  able  to  walk  fifty  miles  without  stopping 
to  take  breath,  or  who  has  kept  the  hounds  within  hearing 
during  a  chase  of  hours.  However,  as  flesh  and  blood  are 
not  always  the  same,  it  is  quite  reasonable  to  suppose  that  the 
gentle  ones  are  willing  to  rest,  after  all  they  have  seen  and 
done  this  day.  Uncas,  clear  out  the  spring,  while  your  fathei 
and  I  make  a  cover  for  their  tender  heads  of  these  chestnut 
shoots,  and  a  bed  of  grass  and  leaves." 

The  dialogue  ceased,  while  the  hunter  and  his  companions 
busied  themselves  in  preparations  for  the  comfort  and  protec- 
tion of  those  they  guided.  A  spring,  which  many  long  years 
before  had  induced  the  natives  to  select  the  place  for  their 
temporary  fortification,  was  soon  cleared  of  leaves,  and  a 
fountain  of  crystal  gushed  from  the  bed,  diffusing  its  waters 
over  the  verdant  hillock.  A  corner  of  the  building  was  then 
roofed  in  such  a  manner  as  to  exclude  the  heavy  dew  of  the 
climate,  and  piles  of  sweet  shrubs  and  dried  leaves  were  laid 
beneath  it  for  the  sisters  to  repose  on. 

While  the  diligent  woodsmen  were  employed  in  this  man- 
ner, Cora  and  Alice  partook  of  that  refreshment  which  duty 
required  much  more  than  inclination  prompted  them  to  ac- 
cept. They  then  retired  within  the  walls,  and  first  offering  up 
their  thanksgivings  for  past  mercies,  and  petitioning  for  a  con- 
tinuance of  the  Divine  favor  throughout  the  coming  night, 
they  laid  their  tender  forms  on  the  fragrant  couch,  and,  in 
spite  of  recollections  and  forebodings,  soon  sank  into  those 
slumbers  which  nature  so  imperiously  demanded,  and  which 
were  sweetened  by  hopes  for  the  morrow.  Duncan  had  pre- 
pared himself  to  pass  the  night  in  watchfulness  near  them, 
just  without  the  ruin,  but  the  scout,  perceiving  his  intentions, 
pointed  towards  Chingachgook,  as  he  coolly  disposed  his  own 
person  on  the  grass,  and  said, — 

"  The  eyes  of  a  white  man  are  too  blind  for  such  a  watch 
as  this  !  The  Mohican  will  be  our  sentinel,  therefore  let  us 
sleep." 

"  I  proved  myself  a  sluggard  on  my  post  during  the  past 
night,"  said  Heyward,  "and  have  less  need  of  repose  than 
you,  who  did  more  credit  to  the  character  of  a  soldier.  Let 
all  the  party  seek  their  rest,  then,  while  I  hold  the  guard." 

"  If  we  lay  among  the  white  tents  of  the  6oth,  and  in  front 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


129 


of  an  enemy  like  the  French,  I  could  not  ask  for  a  bettw 
watchman,"  returned  the  scout ;  "  but  in  the  darkness  and 
and  among  the  signs  of  the  wilderness  your  judgment  would 
be  like  the  folly  of  a  child,  and  your  vigilance  thrown  away. 
Do  then,  like  Uncas  and  myself,  sleep,  and  sleep  in  safety." 

Heyward  perceived,  in  truth,  that  the  younger  Indian  had 
thrown  his  form  on  the  side  of  the  hillock  while  they  were 
talking,  like  one  who  sought  to  make  the  most  of  the  time 
allotted  to  rest,  and  that  his  example  had  been  followed  by 
David,  whose  voice  literally  "clove  to  his  jaws"  with  the 
fever  of  his  wound,  heightened  as  it  was  by  their  toilsome 
march.  Unwilling  to  prolong  a  useless  discussion,  the  young 
man  affected  to  comply,  by  posting  his  back  against  the  logs 
of  the  block-house,  in  a  half-recumbent  posture,  though  reso- 
lutely determined,  in  his  own  mind,  not  to  close  an  eye  until 
he  had  delivered  his  precious  charge  into  the  arms  of  Munro 
himself.  Hawk-eye,  believing  he  had  prevailed,  soon  fell 
asleep,  and  a  silence  as  deep  as  the  solitude  in  which  they  had 
found  it,  pervaded  the  retired  spot. 

For  many  minutes  Duncan  succeeded  in  keeping  his  senses 
on  the  alert,  and  alive  to  every  moaning  sound  that  arose 
from  the  forest.  His  vision  became  more  acute  as  the  shades 
of  evening  settled  on  the  place  \  and  even  after  the  stars  were 
glimmering  above  his  head,  he  was  able  to  distinguish  the  re- 
cumbent forms  of  his  companions,  as  they  lay  stretched  on 
the  grass,  and  to  note  the  person  of  Chingachgook,  who  sat 
upright  and  motionless  as  one  of  the  trees  which  formed  the 
dark  barrier  on  every  side  of  them.  He  still  heard  the  gentle 
breathings  of  the  sisters,  who  lay  within  a  few  feet  of  him,  and 
not  a  leaf  was  ruffled  by  the  passing  air,  of  which  his  ear  did 
not  detect  the  whispering  sound.  At  length,  however,  the 
mournful  notes  of  a  whip-poor-will  became  blended  with  the 
moanings  of  an  owl  ;  his  heavy  eyes  occasionally  sought  the 
bright  rays  of  the  stars,  and  then  he  fancied  he  saw  them 
through  the  fallen  lids.  At  instants  of  momentary  wakeful- 
ness  he  mistook  a  bush  for  his  associate  sentinel ;  his  head 
next  sank  upon  his  shoulder,  which,  in  its  turn,  sought  the 
support  of  the  ground  ;  and,  finally,  his  whole  person  became 
relaxed  and  pliant,  and  the  young  man  sank  into  a  deep  sleep, 
dreaming  that  he  was  a  knight  of  ancient  chivalry7,  holding  his 
midnight  vigils  before  the  tent  of  a  recaptured  princess,  whose 
favor  he  did  not  despair  of  gaining,  by  such  a  proof  of  devo- 
tion and  watchfulness. 

How  long  the  tired  Duncan  lay  in  this  insensible  state  he 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

never  knew  himself,  but  his  slumbering  visions  had  been  long 
lost  in  total  forgetfulness,  when  he  was  awakened  by  a  light 
tap  on  the  shoulder.  Aroused  by  this  signal,  slight  as  it  was, 
he  sprang  upon  his  feet  with  a  confused  recollection  of  the 
self-imposed  duty  he  had  assumed  with  the  commencement  of 
the  night — 

"  Who  comes  ? "  he  demanded,  feeling  for  his  sword,  at 
the  place  where  it  was  usually  suspended.  "  Speak  !  friend 
or  enemy  ?  " 

"  Friend,"  replied  the  low  voice  of  Chingachgook ;  who, 
pointing  upwards  at  the  luminary  which  was  shedding  its  mild 
light  through  the  opening  in  the  trees,  directly  on  their 
bivouac,  immediately  added  in  his  rude  English,  "mooq 
comes,  and  white  man's  fort  far — far  off ;  time  to  move  when 
sleep  shuts  both  eyes  of  the  Frenchman  !  " 

"  You  say  true  !  call  up  your  friends,  and  bridle  the  horses, 
while  I  prepare  my  own  companions  for  the  march  !  " 

"  We  are  awake,  Duncan,"  said  the  soft,  silvery  tones  of 
Alice  within  the  building,  "  and  ready  to  travel  very  fast,  after 
so  refreshing  a  sleep ;  but  you  have  watched  through  the 
tedious  night  in  our  behalf,  after  having  endured  so  much 
fatigue  the  livelong  day  !  " 

"  Say,  rather,  I  would  have  watched,  but  my  treacherous 
eyes  betrayed  me  ;  twice  have  I  proved  myself  unfit  for  the 
trust  I  bear." 

"  Nay,  Duncan,  deny  it  not,"  interrupted  the  smiling 
Alice,  issuing  from  the  shadows  of  the'  building  into  the  light 
of  the  moon,  in  all  the  loveliness  of  her  freshened  beauty ; 
"  I  know  you  to  be  a  heedless  one,  when  self  is  the  object  of 
your  care,  and  but  too  vigilant  in  favor  of  others.  Can  we 
not  tarry  here  a  little  longer,  while  you  find  the  rest  you  need  ? 
Cheerfully,  most  cheerfully,  will  Cora  and  I  keep  the  vigils, 
while  you,  and  all  these  brave  men,  endeavor  to  snatch  a  little 
sleep!" 

"  If  shame  could  cure  me  of  my  drowsiness,  I  should  never 
close  an  eye  again,"  said  the  uneasy  youth,  gazing  at  the  in- 
genuous countenance  of  Alice,  where,  however,  in  its  sweet 
solicitude,  he  read  nothing  to  confirm  his  half  awakened  sus- 
picion. "  It  is  but  too  true,  that  after  leading  you  into  dan- 
ger by  my  heedlessness,  I  have  not  even  the  merit  of  guard* 
ing  your  pillows  as  should  become  a  soldier." 

"  No  one  but  Duncan  himself  should  accuse  Duncan  of 
such  a  weakness.  Go,  then,  and  sleep ;  believe  me,  neithei 
of  us,  weak  girls  as  we  are,  will  betray  our  watch." 


THE  LAST  OF  TffE  MOfffCANS.  13! 

The  young  man  was  relieved  from  the  awkwardness  ol 
making  any  further  protestations  of  his  own  demerits,  by  an 
exclamation  from  Chingachgook,  and  the  attitude  of  riveted 
attention  assumed  by  his  son. 

"  The  Mohicans  hear  an  enemy  !  "  whispered  Hawk-eye, 
who,  by  this  time,  in  common  with  the  whole  party,  was 
awake  and  stirring.  "  They  scent  danger  in  the  wind  !  " 

"  God  forbid  !  "  exclaimed  Heyward.  "  Surely  we  have 
had  enough  of  bloodshed  !  " 

While  he  spoke,  however,  the  young  soldier  seized  his 
rifle,  and  advancing  towards  the  front,  prepared  to  atone  for 
his  venial  remissness,  by  freely  exposing  his  life  in  defence  of 
those  he  attended. 

"  'Tis  some  creature  of  the  forest  prowling  around  us  in 
quest  of  food,"  he  said,  in  a  whisper,  as  soon  as  the  low,  and 
apparently  distant  sounds,  which  had  startled -the  Mohicans, 
reached  his  own  ears. 

"  Hist !  "  returned  the  attentive  scout ;  "  'tis  man  ;  even  I 
can  now  tell  his  tread,  poor  as  my  senses  are  when  compared 
to  an  Indian's  !  That  scampering  Huron  has  fallen  in  with 
one  of  Montcalm's  outlaying  parties,  and  they  have  struck 
upon  our  trail !  I  shouldn't  like,  myself,  to  spill  more  human 
blood  in  this  spot,"  he  added,  looking  around  with  anxiety 
in  his  features,  at  the  dim  objects  by  which  he  was  surround- 
ed ;  "  but  what  must  be,  must !  Lead  the  horses  into  the 
block  house  Uncas,  and,  friends,  do  you  follow  to  the  same 
shelter.  Poor  and  old  as  it  is,  it  offers  a  cover,  and  has  rung 
with  the  crack  of  a  rifle  afore  to-night ! " 

He  was  instantly  obeyed,  the  Mohicans  leading  the  Nar- 
ragansets  within  the  ruin,  whither  the  whole  party  repaired, 
with  the  most  guarded  silence. 

The  sounds  of  approaching  footsteps  were  now  too  dis- 
tinctly audible,  to  leave  any  doubts  as  to  the  nature  of  the 
interruption.  They  were  soon  mingled  with  voices  calling  to 
each  other  in  an  Indian  dialect,  which  the  hunter,  in  a  whis« 
per,  affirmed  to  Heyward,  was  the  language  of  the  Hurons. 
When  the  party  reached  the  point  where  the  horses  had 
entered  the  thicket  which  surrounded  the  block-house,  they 
were  evidently  at  fault,  having  lost  those  marks  which,  until 
that  moment,  had  directed  their  pursuit. 

It  would  seem  by  the  voices  that  twenty  men  were  soon 
collected  at  that  one  spot  mingling  their  different  opinion! 
and  advice  in  noisy  clamor. 

"  The  knaves  know  our  weakness,"  whispered  Hawk-ey« 


I32  TfTE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

who  stood  by  the  side  of  Heyward,  in  deep  shade,  looking 
through  an  opening  in  the  logs,  "  or  they  wouldn't  indulge 
their  idleness  in  such  a  squaw's  march.  Listen  to  the  rep- 
tiles !  each  man  among  them  seems  to  have  two  tongues,  and 
but  a  single  leg." 

Duncan,  brave  as  he  was  in  the  combat,  could  not,  in  such 
a  moment  of  painful  suspense,  make  any  reply  to  the  cool 
and  characteristic  remark  of  the  scout.  He  only  grasped  his 
rifle  more  firmly,  and  fastened  his  eyes  upon  the  narrow 
opening,  through  which  he  gazed  upon  the  moonlight  view 
with  increasing  anxiety.  The  deeper  tones  of  one  who  spoke 
of  having  authority  were  next  heard,  amid  a  silence  that  de- 
noted the  respect  with  which  his  orders,  or  rather  advice, 
was  received.  After  which,  by  the  rustling  of  leaves,  and 
cracking  of  dried  twigs,  it  was  apparent  the  savages  were  sep- 
arating in  pursuit  of  the  lost  trail.  Fortunately  for  the  pur- 
sued, the  light  of  the  moon,  while  it  shed  a  flood  of  mild 
lustre  upon  the  little  area  around  the  ruin,  was  not  sufficiently 
strong  to  penetrate  the  deep  arches  of  the  forest,  where  the 
objects  still  lay  in  deceptive  shadow.  The  search  proved 
fruitless  \  for  so  short  and  sudden  had  been  the  passage  from 
the  faint  path  the  travellers  had  journeyed  into  the  thicket, 
that  every  trace  of  their  footsteps  was  lost  in  the  obscurity  of 
the  woods. 

It  was  not  long,  however,  before  the  restless  savages  were 
heard  beating  the  brush,  and  gradually  approaching  the  innei 
edge  of  that  dense  border  of  young  chestnuts  which  encircled 
the  little  area. 

"  They  are  coming,"  muttered  Heyward,  endeavoring  to 
thrust  his  rifle  through  the  chink  in  the  logs  ;  "  let  us  fire  on 
their  approach.' 

"  Keep  everything  in  the  shade,"  returned  the  scout ;  "  the 
snapping  of  a  flint,  or  even  the  smell  of  a  single  kernel  of  the 
brimstone,  would  bring  the  hungry  varlets  upon  us  in  a  body. 
Should  it  please  God  that  we  must  give  battle  for  the  scalps, 
trust  to  the  experience  of  men  who  know  the  ways  of  the 
savages,  and  who  are  not  often  backward  when  the  war-whoop 
is  howled." 

Duncan  cast  his  eyes  behind  him,  and  saw  that  the  trem- 
bling sisters  were  cowering  in  the  far  corner  of  the  building, 
while  the  Mohicans  stood  in  the  shadow,  like  two  upright 
posts,  ready,  and  apparently  willing,  to  strike,  when  the  blow 
should  be  needed.  Curbing  his  impatience,  he  again  looked 
out  upon  the  area,  and  awaited  the  result  in  silence.  At  that 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


133 


instant  the  thicket  opened,  and  a  tall  and  armed  Huron  ad- 
vanced a  few  paces  into  the  open  space.  As  he  gazed  upon 
the  silent  block- house,  the  moon  fell  full  upon  his  swarthy 
countenance,  and  betrayed  its  surprise  and  curiosity.  He 
made  the  exclamation  which  usually  accompanies  the  formel 
emotion  in  an  Indian,  and,  calling  in  a  low  voice,  soon  drew 
a  companion  to  his  side. 

These  children  of  the  woods  stood  together  for  several 
moments  pointing  at  the  crumbling  edifice,  and  conversing  in 
the  unintelligible  language  of  their  tribe.  They  then  ap- 
proached, though  with  slow  and  cautious  steps,  pausing  every 
instant  to  look  at  the  building,  like  startled  deer,  whose  curi- 
osity struggled  powerfully  with  their  awakened  apprehensions 
for  the  mastery.  The  foot  of  one  of  them  suddenly  rested  on 
the  mound,  and  he  stooped  to  examine  its  nature.  At  this 
moment,  Heyward  observed  that  the  scout  loosened  his  knife 
in  its  sheath,  and  lowered  the  muzzle  of  his  rifle.  Imitating 
these  movements,  the  young  man  prepared  himself  for  the 
struggle,  which  now  seemed  inevitable. 

The  savages  were  so  near,  that  the  least  motion  in  one  of 
the  horses,  or  even  a  breath  louder  than  common,  would  have 
betrayed  the  fugitives.  But,  in  discovering  the  character  of 
the  mound,  the  attention  of  the  Hurons  appeared  directed  to 
a  different  object.  They  spoke  together,  and  the  sounds  of 
their  voices  were  low  and  solemn,  as  if  influenced  by  a  rev- 
erence that  was  deeply  blended  with  awe.  Then  they  drew 
warmly  back,  keeping  their  eyes  riveted  on  the  ruin,  as  if 
they  expected  to  see  the  apparations  of  the  dead  issue  from  its 
silent  walls,  until  having  reached  the  boundary  of  the  area, 
they  moved  slowly  into  the  thicket  and  disappeared. 

Hawk-eye  dropped  the  breech  of  his  rifle  to  the  earth, 
and  drawing  a  long,  free  breath,  exclaimed  in  an  audible 
whisper — 

"  Ay !  they  respect  the  dead,  and  it  has  this  time  saved 
their  own  lives,  and  it  may  be  the  lives  of  better  men  too." 

Heyward  lent  his  attention,  for  a  single  moment,  to  his 
companion,  but  without  replying,  he  again  turned  towards 
those  who  just  then  interested  him  more.  He  heard  the  two 
Hurons  leave  the  bushes,  and  it  was  soon  plain  that  all  the 
pursuers  were  gathered  about  them,  in  deep  attention  to  their 
report.  After  a  few  minutes  of  earnest  and  solemn  dialogue, 
altogether  different  from  the  noisy  clamor  with  which  they 
had  first  collected  about  the  spot,  the  sounds  grew  fainter 
and  more  distant^  and  finally  were  lost  in  the  depths  of  thtj 
forest 


134 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


Hawk-eye  waited  until  a  signal  from  the  listening  Chir* 
gachgook  assured  him  that  every  sound  from  the  retiring 
party  was  completely  swallowed  by  the  distance,  when  he 
motioned  to  Heyward  to  lead  forth  the  horses,  and  to  assist 
the  sisters  into  their  saddles.  The  instant  this  was  done 
they  issued  through  the  broken  gateway,  and  stealing  out  by 
a  direction  opposite  to  the  one  by  which  they  had  entered, 
they  quitted  the  spot,  the  sisters  casting  furtive  glances  at 
the  silent  grave  and  crumbling  ruin,  as  they  left  the  soft  light 
of  the  moon  to  bury  themselves  in  the  gloom  of  the  woods. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Guard,—  Quiestla? 

Puc. —  Paisans,  pauvres  gens  de  France. 

KING  HENRY  VL 

DURING  the  rapid  movement  from  the  block-house,  and 
until  the  party  was  deeply  buried  in  the  forest,  each  individual 
was  too  much  interested  in  the  escape,  to  hazard  a  word  even 
in  whispers.  The  scout  resumed  his  post  in  the  advance, 
though  his  steps,  after  he  had  thrown  a  safe  distance  between 
himself  and  his  enemies,  were  more  deliberate  than  in  their 
previous  march,  in  consequence  of  his  utter  ignorance  of  the 
localities  of  the  surrounding  woods.  More  than  once  he 
halted  to  consult  with  his  confederates,  the  Mohicans,  point- 
ing upwards  at  the  moon,  and  examining  the  barks  of  the 
trees  with  care.  In  these  brief  pauses,  Heyward  and  the 
sisters  listened,  with  senses  rendered  doubly  acute  by  the 
danger,  to  detect  any  symptoms  which  might  announce  the 
proximity  of  their  foes.  At  such  moments,  it  seemed  as  if 
a  vast  range  of  country  lay  buried  in  eternal  sleep,  not  the 
least  sound  arising  from  the  forest,  unless  it  was  the  distant 
and  scarcely  audible  rippling  of  a  water-course.  Bird,  beasts, 
and  man,  appeared  to  slumber  alike,  if,  indeed,  any  of  the 
latter  were  to  be  found  in  that  wide  tract  of  wilderness.  But 
the  sounds  of  the  rivulet,  feeble  and  murmuring  as  they  were, 
relieved  the  guides  at  once  from  no  trifling  embarrassment,  and 
towards  it  they  immediately  held  their  way. 

When  the  banks  of  the  little  stream  were  gained,  Hawk 
eye  made  another  halt ;  and,  taking  the  moccasins  from  his 
feet,  he  invited  Heyward  and  Gamut  to  follow  his  example, 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  135 

He  then  entered  the  water,  and  for  near  an  hour  they  travelled 
in  the  bed  of  the  brook,  leaving  no  trail.  The  moon  had 
already  sunk  into  an  immense  pile  of  black  clouds,  which  lay 
impending  above  the  western  horizon,  when  they  issued  from 
the  low  and  devious  water-course  to  rise  again  to  the  light 
and  level  of  the  sandy  but  wooded  plain.  Here  the  scout 
seemed  to  be  once  more  at  home,  for  he  held  on  his  way  with 
the  certainty  and  diligence  of  a  man  who  moved  in  the  se- 
curity of  h^s  own  knowledge.  The  path  soon  became  more 
uneven,  and  the  travellers  could  plainly  perceive  that  the 
mountains  drew  nigher  to  them  on  each  hand,  and  that  they 
were,  in  truth,  about  entering  one  of  their  gorges.  Suddenly, 
Hawk-eye  made  a  pause,  and  waiting  until  he  was  joined  by 
the  whole  party,  he  spoke,  though  in  tones  so  low  and  cau- 
tious, that  they  added  to  the  solemnity  of  his  words,  in  the 
quiet  and  darkness  of  the  place. 

"  It  is  easy  to  know  the  pathways,  and  to  find  the  licks 
and  water-courses  of  the  wilderness,"  he  said ;  "  but  who 
that  saw  this  spot  could  venture  to  say,  that  a  mighty  army 
was  at  rest  among  yonder  silent  trees  and  barren  moun- 
tains ? " 

"We  are  then  at  no  great  distance  from  William  Henry  ?.*' 
said  Heyward,  advancing  nigher  to  the  scout. 

"  It  is  yet  a  long  and  weary  path,  and  when  and  where  to 
strike  it,  is  now  our  greatest  difficulty.  See,"  he  said,  point- 
ing through  the  trees  towards  a  spot  where  a  little  basin  of 
water  reflected  the  stars  from  its  placid  bosom,  "  here  is  the 
4  bloody  pond ; '  and  I  am  on  ground  that  I  have  not  only  often 
travelled,  but  over  which  I  have  fou't  the  enemy,  from  the 
rising  to  the  setting  sun." 

"  Ha  !  that  sheet  of  dull  and  dreary  water,  then,  is  the 
sepulchre  of  the  brave  men  who  fell  in  the  contest.  I  have 
heard  it  named,  but  never  have  I  stood  on  its  banks  before." 

"Three  battles  did  we  make  with  the  Dutch-Frenchman  <* 
in  a  day,"  continued  Hawk-eye,  pursuing  the  train  of  his  own 
thoughts,  rather  than  replying  to  the  remark  of  Duncan. 
"  He  met  us  hard  by,  in  our  outward  march  to  ambush  his 
advance,  and  scattered  us,  like  driven  deer,  through  the  defile 
to  the  shores  of  Horican.  Then  we  rallied  behind  our  fallen 
trees,  and  made  head  against  him,  under  Sir  William — who 
was  made  Sir  William  for  that  very  deed ;  and  well  did  we 

*  Baron  Dieskau,  a  German,  in  the  service  of  France.  A  few  years  previously 
lo  the  period  of  the  tale,  this  officer  was  defeated  by  Sir  William  Johnson,  of  John* 
own,  New  York,  on  the  shores  of  Lake  George. 


136  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

pay  him  for  the  disgrace  of  the  morning.  Hundreds  o! 
Frenchmen  saw  the  sun  that  day  for  the  last  time ;  and  eveu 
their  leader,  Dieskau  himself,  fell  into  our  hands,  so  cut  and 
torn  with  the  lead,  that  he  has  gone  back  to  his  own  country, 
unfit  for  further  acts  in  war." 

"  'Twas  a  noble  repulse  !  "  exclaimed  Heyward  in  the  heat 
of  his  youthful  ardor ;  "  the  fame  of  it  reached  us  early,  in 
our  southern  army  " 

"  Ay  !  but  it  did  not  end  there.  I  was  sent  by  Major  Ef« 
fingham,  at  Sir  William's  own  bidding,  to  outflank  the  French, 
and  carry  the  tidings  of  their  disaster  across  the  portage,  to 
the  fort  on  the  Hudson.  Just  hereaway,  where  you  see  the 
trees  rise  into  a  mountain  swell,  I  met  a  party  coming  down 
to  our  aid,  and  I  led  them  where  the  enemy  were  taking  their 
meal,  little  dreaming  that  they  had  not  finished  the  bloody 
work  of  the  day." 

"  And  you  surprised  them  ? " 

"  If  death  can  be  a  surprise  to  men  who  are  thinking  only 
of  the  cravings  of  their  appetites.  We  gave  them  but  little 
breathing  time,  for  they  had  borne  hard  upon  us  in  the  fight 
of  the  morning,  and  there  were  few  in  our  party  who  had  not 
lost  friend  or  relative  by  their  hands.  When  all  was  over,  the 
dead,  and  some  say  the  dying,  were  cast  into  that  little  pond. 
These  eyes  have  seen  its  waters  colored  with  blood,  as  nat- 
ural water  never  yet  flowed  from  the  bowels  of  the  'arth." 

"  It  was  a  convenient,  and,  I  trust,  will  prove  a  peaceful 
grave  for  a  soldier.  You  have,  then,  seen  much  service  on 
this  frontier  ?  " 

"  I !  "  said  the  scout,  erecting  his  tall  person  with  an  air 
of  military  pride  ;  "  there  are  not  many  echoes  among  these 
hills  that  haven't  rung  with  the  crack  of  my  rifle,  nor  is  there 
the  space  of  a  square  mile  atwixt  Horican  and  the  river,  that 
*  Kill  Deer  '  hasn't  dropped  a  living  body  on,  be  it  an  enemy 
or  be  it  a  brute  beast.  As  for  the  grave  there  being  as  quiet 
as  you  mention,  it  is  another  matter.  There  are  them  in  the 
camp  who  say  and  think,  man,  to  lie  still,  should  not  be 
buried  while  the  breath  is  in  the  body ;  and  certain  it  is  that 
in  the  hurry  of  that  evening,  the  doctors  had  but  little  time  to 
say  who  was  living  and  who  was  dead.  Hist !  see  you 
nothing  walking  on  the  shore  of  the  pond  ? " 

"  'Tis  not  probable  that  any  are  as  houseless  as  ourselves, 
in  this  dreary  forest." 

"  Such  as  he  may  care  but  little  for  house  or  shelter,  and 
night  dew  can  never  wet  a  body  that  passes  its  days  in  th« 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS  ^7 

water,"  returned  the  scout,  grasping  the  shoulder  of  Hey 
ward  with  snch  convulsive  strength  as  to  make  the  young 
soldier  painfully  sensible  how  much  superstitious  terror  had 
got  the  mastery  of  a  man  usually  so  dauntless. 

"  By  heaven  !  there  is  a  human  form,  and  it  approaches. 
Stand  to  your  arms,  my  friends  j  for  we  know  not  whom  we 
encounter." 

"  Qui  vive  ?  "  demanded  a  stern,  quick  voice,  which  sound- 
ed like  a  challenge  from  another  world,  issuing  out  of  that 
solitary  and  solemn  place. 

"  What  says  it  ?  "  answered  the  scout ;  "  it  speaks  neither 
Indian  nor  English." 

"  Qui  vive  ?  "  repeated  the  same  voice,  which  was  quickly 
followed  by  the  rattling  of  arms,  and  a  menacing  attitude. 

"  France  !  "  cried  Hey  ward,  advancing  from  the  shadow  of 
the  trees  to  the  shore  of  the  pond,  within  a  few  yards  of  the 
sentinel. 

"  D'ou  venez-vous — ou  allez-vous,  d'aussi  bonne  heure  ?  " 
demanded  the  grenadier,  in  the  language  and  with  the  accent 
of  a  man  from  old  France. 

Je  viens  de  la  decouverte,  et  je  vais  me  coucher." 

"Etes-vous  officier  du  roi  ?  " 

Sans  doute,  mon  camarade  ;  me  prends-tu  pour  un  pro- 
vincial. Je  suis  capitaine  de  chasseurs  (Heyward  well  knew 
that  the  other  was  of  a  regiment  in  the  line) — j'ai  ici,  avec  moi, 
les  filles  du  commandant  de  la  fortification.  Aha !  tu  en  as 
entendu  parler !  je  les  ai  fait  prisonnieres  pres  de  1'autre  fort, 
et  je  les  conduis  au  ge'ne'ral." 

"  Ma  foi !  mesdames ;  j'en  suis  fache*  pour  vous,"  ex- 
claimed the  young  soldier,  touching  his  cap  with  grace  ;  "  mais 
— fortune  de  guerre  !  vous  trouverez  notre  general  un  brave 
homme,  et  bien  poli  avec  les  dames." 

"  C'est  le  caractere  des  gens  de  guerre,"  said  Cora,  with 
admirable  self-possession.  "  Adieu,  mon  ami ;  je  vous  sou- 
haiterais  un  devoir  plus  agre'able  a  remplir." 

The  soldier  made  a  low  and  humble  acknowledgment  for 
her  civility ;  and  Heyward  adding  a  "  bonne  nuit,  mon  cam- 
arade," they  moved  deliberately  forward,  leaving  the  sentinel 
pacing  the  banks  of  the  silent  pond,  little  suspecting  an  enemy 
of  so  much  effrontery,  and  humming  to  himself  those  words, 
which  were  recalled  to  his  mind  by  the  sight  of  women,  and 
perhaps  by  recollections  of  his  own  distant  and  beautiful 
France — 

"  Vive  le  vin,  vive  1'araour,"  etc.,  etc. 


1 38  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

'•  'Tis  well  you  understood  the  knave,"  whispered  th« 
4Cout,  when  they  had  gained  a  little  distance  from  the  place^ 
and  letting  his  rifle  fall  into  the  hollow  of  his  arm  again  ;  "  I 
soon  saw  that  he  was  one  of  them  uneasy  Frenchers  ;  and 
well  for  him  it  was  that  his  speech  was  friendly  and  his  wishes 
kind,  or  a  place  might  have  been  found  for  his  bones  amongst 
those  of  his  countrymen." 

He  was  interrupted  by  a  long  and  heavy  groan  which 
arose  from  the  little  basin,  as  though,  in  truth,  the  spirits  of 
the  departed  lingered  about  their  watery  sepulchre. 

"  Surely,  it  was  of  flesh,"  continued  the  scout ;  "  no  spirit 
could  handle  its  arms  so  steadily." 

"  It  was  of  flesh  ;  but  whether  the  poor  fellow  still  belongs 
to  this  world  may  well  be  doubted,"  said  Heyward,  glancing 
his  eyes  around  him,  and  missing  Chingachgook  from  their 
little  band.  Another  groan  more  faint  than  the  former  was 
succeeded  by  a  heavy  and  sullen  plunge  into  the  water,  and  all 
was  as  still  again  as  if  the  borders  of  the  dreary  pool  had 
never  been  awakened  from  the  silence  of  creation.  While 
they  yet  hesitated  in  uncertainty,  the  form  of  the  Indian  was 
seen  gliding  out  of  the  thicket.  As  the  chief  rejoined  them, 
with  one  hand  he  attached  the  reeking  scalp  of  the  unfortu- 
nate young  Frenchman  to  his  girdle,  and  with  the  other  he 
replaced  the  knife  and  tomahawk  that  had  drunk  his  blood. 
He  then  took  his  wonted  station,  with  the  air  of  a  man  who 
believed  he  had  done  a  deed  of  merit. 

The  scout  dropped  one  end  of  his  rifle  to  the  earth,  and 
leaning  his  hands  on  the  other,  he  stood  musing  in  profound 
silence.  Then,  shaking  his  head  in  a  mournful  manner,  he 
muttered — 

"  'Twould  have  been  a  cruel  and  an  inhuman  act  for  a  white- 
skin  ;  but  'tis  the  gift  and  natur'  of  an  Indian,  and  I  suppose 
it  should  not  be  denied.  I  could  wish,  though,  it  had  befallen 
an  accursed  Mingo,  rather  than  that  gay  young  boy  from  the 
old  countries." 

u  Enough,"  said  Heyward,  apprehensive  the  unconscious 
sisters  might  comprehend  the  nature  of  the  detention,  and 
conquering  his  disgust  by  a  train  of  reflections  very  much  like 
that  of  the  hunter  ;  "  'tis  done ;  and  though  better  it  were  left 
undone,  cannot  be  amended.  You  see  we  are,  too  obviously, 
within  the  sentinels  of  the  enemy ;  what  course  do  you  pro- 
pose to  follow  ? " 

"  Yes,"  said  Hawk-eye,  rousing  himself  again,  "'tis  as  you 
say,  too  late  to  harbor  further  thoughts  about  it.  Ay,  the 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


'39 


French  have  gathered  around  the  fort  in  good  earnest,  and  we 
have  a  delicate  needle  to  thread  in  passing  them." 

"  And  but  little  time  to  do  it  in,"  added  Heyward,  glan« 
cing  his  eyes  upwards,  towards  the  bank  of  vapor  that  con- 
cealed the  setting  moon. 

"  And  little  time  to  do  it  in,"  repeated  the  scout.  "The 
thing  may  be  done  in  two  fashions,  by  the  help  of  Providence, 
without  which  it  may  not  be  done  at  all." 

"  Name  them  quickly,  for  time  presses." 

"  One  would  be  to  dismount  the  gentle  ones,  and  let  theii 
beasts  range  the  plain  ;  by  sending  the  Mohicans  in  front,  we 
might  then  cut  a  lane  through  their  sentries,  and  enter  the 
fort  over  the  dead  bodies." 

"  It  will  not  do — it  will  not  do !  "  interrupted  the  generous 
Heyward  ;  "  a  soldier  might  force  his  way  in  this  manner,  but 
never  with  such  a  corivoy." 

"  Twould  be,  indeed,  a  bloody  path  for  such  tender  feet 
to  wade  in,"  returned  the  equally  reluctant  scout;  "but  I 
thought  it  befitting  my  manhood  to  name  it.  We  must  then 
turn  on  our  trail,  and  get  without  the  line  of  their  look-outs, 
when  we  will  bend  short  to  the  west,  and  enter  the  mountains ; 
where  I  can  hide  you,  so  that  all  the  devil's  hounds  in  Mont- 
calm's  pay  would  be  thrown  off  the  scent  for  months  to  come." 

"  Let  it  be  done  and  that  instantly." 

Further  words  were  unnecessary;  for  Hawk-eye,  merely 
uttering  the  mandate  to  "  follow,"  moved  along  the  route 
by  which  they  had  just  entered  their  present  critical  and  even 
dangerous  situation.  Their  progress,  like  their  late  dialogue, 
was  guarded,  and  without  noise  ;  for  none  knew  at  what  mo- 
ment a  passing  patrol,  or  a  crouching  picket,  of  the  enemy, 
might  rise  upon  their  path.  As  they  held  their  silent  way 
along  the  margin  of  the  pond,  again  Heyward  and  the  scout 
stole  furtive  glances  at  its  appalling  dreariness.  They  looked 
in  vain  for  the  form  they  had  so  recently  seen  stalking  along 
its  silent  shores,  while  a  low  and  regular  wash  of  the  little 
waves,  by  announcing  that  the  waters  were  not  yet  subsided, 
furnished  a  frightful  memorial  of  the  deed  of  blood  they  had 
just  witnessed.  Like  all  that  passing  and  gloomy  scene,  the 
low  basin,  however  quickly  melted  in  the  darkness,  and  be- 
came blended  with  the  mass  of  black  objects,  in  the  rear  of. 
the  travellers. 

Hawk-eye  soon  deviated  from  the  line  of  their  retreat,  and 
striking  off  towards  the  mountains  which  form  the  western 
boundary  of  the  narrow  plain,  he  led  his  followers,  with  swift 


1 4o  TffE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

steps,  deep  within  the  shadows  that  were  cast  from  their  higll 
and  broken  summits.  The  route  was  now  painful;  lying ovei 
ground  ragged  with  rocks,  and  intersected  with  ravines,  and 
their  progress  proportionately  slow.  Bleak  and  black  hills 
lay  on  every  side  of  them,  compensating  in  some  degree  for 
trie  additional  toil  of  the  march,  by  the  sense  of  security  they 
imparted.  At  length  the  party  began  slowly  to  rise  a  steep 
and  rugged  ascent,  by  a  path  that  curiously  wound  among  rocks 
and  trees,  avoiding  the  one,  and  supported  by  the  other,  in  a 
manner  that  showed  it  had  been  devised  by  men  long  practised 
in  the  arts  of  the  wilderness.  As  they  gradually  rose  from  the 
level  of  the  valleys,  the  thick  darkness  which  usually  precedes 
the  approach  of  day  began  to  disperse,  and  objects  were  seen 
in  the  plain  and  palpable  colors  with  which  they  had  been 
gifted  by  nature.  When  they  issued  from  the  stunted  woods 
which  clung  to  the  barren  sides  of  the  mountain,  upon  a  flat 
and  mossy  rock  that  formed  its  summit,  they  met  the  morning 
as  it  came  blushing  above  the  green  pines  of  a  hill  that  lay  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  valley  of  the  Horican. 

The  scout  now  told  the  sisters  to  dismount ;  and  taking 
the  bridles  from  the  mouths,  and  the  saddles  off  the  backs  of 
the  jaded  beasts,  he  turned  them  loose,  to  glean  a  scanty 
subsistence  among  the  shrubs  and  meagre  herbage  of  that 
elevated  region. 

"  Go,"  he  said,  "  and  seek  your  food  where  natur'  gives  it 
you  ;  and  beware  that  you  become  not  food  to  ravenous  wolves 
yourselves  among  these  hills." 

"  Have  we  no  further  need  of  them  ?  "demanded  Heyward. 

"  See,  and  judge  with  your  own  eyes,"  said  the  scout,  ad- 
vancing towards  the  eastern  brow  of  the  mountain,  whither  he 
beckoned  for  the  whole  party  to  follow  :  "  if  it  was  as  easy  to 
look  into  the  heart  of  man  as  it  is  to  spy  out  the  nakedness 
of  Montcalm's  camp  from  this  spot,  hypocrites  would  grow 
scarce,  and  the  cunning  of  a  Mingo  might  prove  a  losing 
game,  compared  to  the  honesty  of  a  Delaware." 

When  the  travellers  reached  the  verge  of  the  precipice, 
they  saw  at  a  glance,  the  truth  of  the  scout's  declaration,  and 
the  admirable  foresight  with  which  he  bad  led  them  to  their 
commanding  station. 

The  mountain  on  which  they  stood,  elevated,  perhaps,  a 
thousand  feet  in  the  air,  was  a  high  cone  that  rose  a  little  in 
advance  of  that  range  which  stretches  for  miles  along  the 
western  shores  of  the  lake,  until  meeting  its  sister  piles, 
beyond  the  water,  it  ran  off  towards  the  Canadas,  in  confused 


THE  LAST  Of  THE  MOHICANS. 


141 


And  broken  masses  of  rocks,  thinly  sprinkled  with  evergreen 
Immediately  at  the  feet  of  the  party,  the  southern  shore  ot 
the  Horican  swept  in  a  broad  semicircle,  from  mountain  tc 
mountain,  marking  a  wide  strand,  that  soon  rose  into  an  un- 
even and  somewhat  elevated  plain.  To  the  north,  stretched 
the  limpid,  and,  as  it  appeared  from  that  dizzy  height,  the 
narrow  sheet  of  the  "  holy  lake,"  indented  with  numberless 
bays,  embellished  by  fantastic  headlands,  and  dotted  with 
countless  islands.  At  the  distance  of  a  few  leagues,  the  bed 
of  the  waters  became  lost  among  mountains,  or  was  wrapped 
in  the  masses  of  vapor  that  came  slowly  rolling  along  their 
bosom,  before  a  light  morning  air.  But  a  narrow  opening 
between  the  crests  of  the  hills  pointed  out  the  passage  by 
which  they  found  their  way  still  further  north,  to  spread  their 
pure  and  ample  sheets  again,  before  pouring  out  their  tribute 
to  the  distant  Champlain.  To  the  south  stretched  the  defile, 
or  rather  broken  plain,  so  often  mentioned.  For  several 
miles  in  this  direction,  the  mountains  appeared  reluctant  to 
yield  their  dominion,  but  within  reach  of  the  eye  they 
diverged,  and  finally  melted  into  the  level  and  sandy  lands, 
across  which  we  have  accompanied  our  adventurers  in  their 
double  journey.  Along  both  ranges  of  hills,  which  bounded 
the  opposite  sides  of  the  lake  and  valley,  clouds  of  light 
vapor  were  arising  in  spiral  wreaths  from  the  uninhabited 
woods,  looking  like  the  smokes  of  hidden  cottages  \  or  rolled 
lazily  down  the  declivities,  to  mingle  with  the  fogs  of  the 
lower  land.  A  single,  solitary,  snow-white  cloud  floated 
above  the  valley,  and  marked  the  spot  beneath  which  lay  the 
silent  pool  of  the  "  bloody  pond." 

Directly  on  the  shore  of  the  lake,  and  nearer  to  its  western 
than  to  its  eastern  margin,  lay  the  extensive  earthen  ram- 
parts and  low  buildings  of  William  Henry.  Two  of  the 
sweeping  bastions  appeared  to  rest  on  the  water  which  washed 
their  bases,  while  a  deep  ditch  and  extensive  morasses 
guarded  its  other  sides  and  angles.  The  land  had  been 
cleared  of  wood  for  a  reasonable  distance  around  the  work, 
but  every  other  part  of  the  scene  lay  in  the  green  livery  of 
nature,  except  where  the  limpid  water  mellowed  the  view,  or 
the  bold  rocks  thrust  their  black  and  naked  heads  above  the 
undulating  outline  of  the  mountain  ranges.  In  its  front 
might  be  seen  the  scattered  sentinels,  who  held  a  weary  watch 
against  their  numerous  foes  ;  and  within  the  walls  themselves, 
the  travellers  looked  down  upon  men  still  drowsy  with  a  night 
of  vigilance.  Towards  the  south-east,  but  in  immediate  COR 


I42  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

tact  with  the  fort,  was  an  entrenched  camp,  posted  on  a  rockj 
eminence  that  would  have  been  far  more  eligible  for  the  work 
itself,  in  which  Hawk-eye  pointed  out  the  presence  of  those 
auxiliary  regiments  that  had  so  recently  left  the  Hudson  in 
their  company.  From  the  woods,  a  little  further  to  the  south, 
rose  numerous  dark  and  lurid  smokes,  that  were  easily  to  be 
distinguished  from  the  purer  exhalations  of  the  springs,  and 
which  the  scout  also  showed  to  Heyward,  as  evidence  that 
the  enemy  lay  in  force  in  that  direction. 

But  the  spectacle  which  most  concerned  the  young  soldiel 
was  on  the  western  bank  of  the  lake,  though  quite  near  to  its 
southern  termination.  On  a  strip  of  land,  which  appeared, 
from  his  stand,  too  narrow  to  contain  such  an  army,  but 
which,  in  truth,  extended  many  hundreds  of  yards  from  the 
shores  of  the  Horican  to  the  base  of  the  mountain,  were  to  be 
seen  the  white  tents  and  military  engines  of  an  encampment 
of  ten  thousand  men.  Batteries  were  already  thrown  up  in 
their  front,  and  even  while  the  spectators  above  them  were 
looking  down,  with  such  different  emotions,  on  a  scene  which 
lay  like  a  map  beneath  their  feet,  the  roar  of  artillery  rose 
from  the  valley,  and  passed  off  in  thundering  echoes,  along 
the  eastern  hills. 

"  Morning  is  just  touching  them  below,"  said  the  deliber- 
ate and  musing  scout,  "and  the  watchers  have  a  mind  to 
wake  up  the  sleepers  by  the  sound  of  cannon.  We  are  a  few 
hours  too  late  !  Montcalm  has  already  filled  the  woods  with 
his  accursed  Iroquois." 

"  The  place  is,  indeed,  invested,"  returned  Duncan,  "but 
is  there  no  expedient  by  which  we  may  enter  ?  Capture  in  the 
works  would  be  far  preferable  to  falling  again  into  the  hands 
of  roving  Indians." 

"  See  !  "  exclaimed  the  scout,  unconsciously  directing  the 
attention  of  Cora  to  the  quarters  of  her  own  father,  "  how  that 
shot  has  made  the  stones  fly  from  the  side  of  the  commandant's 
house  !  Ay  !  these  Frenchers  will  pull  it  to  pieces  faster  than 
it  wa3  put  together,  solid  and  thick  though  it  be." 

"  Heyward,  I  sicken  at  the  sight  of  danger  that  I  cannot 
share,"  said  the  undaunted,  but  anxious  daughter.  "  Let  us 
go  to  Montcalm,  and  demand  admission ;  he  dare  not  deny  a 
child  the  boon." 

"  You  would  scarce  find  the  tent  of  the  Frenchman  with 
the  hair  on  your  head,"  said  the  blunt  scout.  "If  I  had  but 
one  of  the  thousand  boats  which  lie  empty  along  that  shorCj 
it  might  be  done.  Ha !  here  will  soon  be  an  end  of  the  firing 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  143 

for  yonder  comes  a  fog  that  will  turn  day  into  night,  and  make 
an  Indian  arrow  more  dangerous  than  a  moulded  cannon. 
Now,  if  you  are  equal  to  the  work,  and  will  follow,  I  will  make 
a  push ;  for  I  long  to  get  down  into  that  camp,  if  it  be  only 
to  scatter  some  Mingo  dogs  that  I  see  lurking  in  the  skirts  of 
yonder  thicket  of  birch." 

"  We  are  equal,"  said  Cora  firmly;  "on  such  an  errand 
we  will  follow  to  any  danger." 

The  scout  turned  to  her  with  a  smile  of  honest  and  cordial 
approbation,  as  he  answered, — 

"  I  would  I  had  a  thousand  men,  of  brawny  limbs  and 
quick  eyes,  that  feared  death  as  little  as  you  !  I'd  send  them 
jabbering  Frenchers  back  into  their  den  again,  afore  the  week 
was  ended,  howling  like  so  many  fettered  hounds  or  hungry 
wolves.  But  stir,"  he  added,  turning  from  her  to  the  rest  of 
the  party,  "  the  fog  comes  rolling  down  so  fast,  we  shall  have 
but  just  the  time  to  meet  it  on  the  plain,  and  use  it  as  a  cover. 
Remember,  if  any  accident  should  befall  me,  to  keep  the  air 
blowing  on  your  left  cheeks — or,  rather,  follow  the  Mohicans; 
they'd  scent  their  way,  be  it  in  day  or  be  it  at  night." 

He  then  waved  his  hand  for  them  to  follow,  and  threw  him- 
self down  the  steep  declivity,  with  free  but  careful  footsteps. 
Heyward  assisted  the  sisters  to  descend,  and  in  a  few  minutes, 
they  were  all  far  down  a  mountain  whose  sides  they  had 
climbed  with  so  much  toil  and  pain. 

The  direction  taken  by  Hawk-eye  soon  brought  the  trav- 
ellers to  the  level  of  the  plain,  nearly  opposite  to  a  sally-port 
in  the  western  curtain  of  the  fort,  which  lay,  itself,  at  the  dis- 
tance of  about  half  a  mile  from  the  point  where  he  halted  to 
allow  Duncan  to  come  up  with  his  charge.  In  their  eager- 
ness, and  favored  by  the  nature  of  the  ground,  they  had  an- 
ticipated the  fog,  which  was  rolling  heavily  down  to  the  lake, 
and  it  became  necessary  to  pause,  until  the  mists  had  wrapped 
the  camp  of  the  enemy  in  their  fleecy  mantle.  The  Mohicans 
profited  by  the  delay,  to  steal  out  of  the  woods,  and  to  make 
a  survey  of .  surrounding  objects.  They  were  followed  at  a 
distance  by  the  scout,  with  a  view  to  profit  early  by  their  re- 
port, and  to  obtain  some  faint  knowledge  for  himself  of  the 
more  immediate  localities. 

In  a  very  few  moments  he  returned,  his  face  reddened 
with  vexation,  while  he  muttered  his  disappointment  in  words 
of  no  very  gentle  import. 

"  Here  has  the  cunning  Frenchman  been  posting  a  picket 
directly  in  our  path,"  he  said  ;  "  red-skins  and  whites ;  and 


144  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

wfe  shall  be  as  likely  to  fall  into  their  midst  as  to  pass  them 
in  the  fog  !  " 

"  Cannot  we  make  a  circuit  to  avoid  the  danger,"  asked 
Heyward,  "  and  come  into  our  path  again  when  it  is  passed  ?  " 

"  Who  that  once  bends  from  the  line  of  his  march  in  a  fog 
can  tell  when  or  how  to  turn  to  find  it  again  !  The  mists  of 
Horican  are  not  like  the  curls  from  a  peace-pipe,  or  the  smoke 
which  settles  above  a  mosquito  fire." 

He  was  yet  speaking,  when  a  crashing  sound  was  heard, 
and  a  cannon  ball  entered  the  thicket,  striking  the  body  of  a 
sapling,  and  rebounding  to  the  earth,  its  force  being  much 
expended  by  previous  resistance.  The  Indians  followed  in- 
stantly like  busy  attendants  on  the  terrible  messenger,  and 
Uncas  commenced  speaking  earnestly,  and  with  much  action, 
in  the  Delaware  tongue. 

"  It  may  be  so,  lad,"  muttered  the  scout,  when  he  had 
ended  ;  "  for  desperate  fevers  are  not  to  be  treated  like  a 
toothache.  Come  then,  the  fog  is  shutting  in." 

"  Stop  !  "  cried  Heyward  ;  "  first  explain  your  expecta- 
tions." 

"  Tis  soon  done,  and  a  small  hope  it  is ;  but  it  is  better 
than  nothing.  This  shot  that  you  see,"  added  the  scout, 
kicking  the  harmless  iron  with  his  foot,  "  has  ploughed  the 
'arth  in  its  road  from  the  fort,  and  we  shall  hunt  for  the  fur- 
row it  has  made,  when  all  other  signs  may  fail.  No  more 
words,  but  follow,  or  the  fog  may  leave  us  in  the  middle  of 
our  path,  a  mark  for  both  armies  to  shoot  at." 

Heyward  perceiving  that,  in  fact,  a  crisis  had  arrived,  when 
acts  were  more  required  than  words,  placed  himself  between 
the  sisters,  and  drew  them  swiftly  forward,  keeping  the  dim 
figure  of  their  leader  in  his  eye.  It  was  scon  apparent  that 
Hawk-eye  had  not  magnified  the  power  of  ,  >e  fog,  for  before 
they  had  proceeded  twenty  yards,  it  was  dih'cult  for  the  dif- 
ferent individuals  of  the  party  to  distinguish  each  other,  in 
the  vapor. 

They  had  made  their  little  circuit  to  the  left,  and  were 
already  inclining  again  towards  the  right,  having,  as  Heyward 
thought,  got  over  nearly  half  the  distance  to  the  friendly  works, 
when  his  ears  were  saluted  with  the  fierce  summons,  appar- 
ently within  twenty  feet  of  them,  of — 

"Qui  vala?" 

"  Push  on  !  "  whispered  the  scout,  once  more  bending  to 
the  left. 

"  Push  on  !  "  repeated  Heyward ;  when  the  summons  was 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


'45 


renewed  by  a  dozen  voices,  each  of  which  seemed  charged 
with  menace. 

"  C'est  moi,"  cried  Duncan,  dragging,  rather  thau  leading 
those  he  supported,  swiftly  onward. 

"  Bote  ! — qui  ? — moi  I  " 

**  Ami  de  la  France." 

"  Tu  m'as  plus  1'air  d'un  ennemi  de  la  France  ;  arrete  !  ou 
pardieu  je  te  ferai  ami  du  diable.  Non !  feu,  camarades ! 
feu ! " 

The  order  was  instantly  obeyed,  and  the  fog  was  stirred 
by  the  explosion  of  fifty  muskets.  Happily,  the  aim  was  bad, 
and  the  bullets  cut  the  air  in  a  direction  a  little  different  from 
that  taken  by  the  fugitives  ;  though  still  so  nigh  them,  that 
to  the  unpractised  ears  of  David  and  the  two  females,  it  ap- 
peared as  if  they  whistled  within  a  few  inches  of  the  organs. 
The  outcry  was  renewed,  and  the  order,  not  only  to  fire  again, 
but  to  pursue,  was  too  plainly  audible.  When  Heyward 
briefly  explained  the  meaning  of  the  words  they  heard  Hawk' 
eye  halted,  and  spoke  with  quick  decision  and  great  firmness. 

"  Let  us  deliver  our  fire,"  he  said  •  "  they  will  believe  it 
a  sortie,  and  give  way,  or  they  will  wait  for  reinforcements." 

The  scheme  was  well  conceived,  but  failed  in  its  effect. 
The  instant  the  French  heard  the  pieces,  it  seemed  as  if  the 
plain  was  alive  with  men,  muskets  rattling  along  its  whole  ex- 
tent, from  the  shores  of  the  lake  to  the  furthest  boundary  of 
the  woods. 

"  We  shall  draw  their  entire  army  upon  us,  and  bring  on 
a  general  assault,"  said  Duncan  :  "  lead  on,  my  friend,  for 
your  life,  and  ours." 

The  scout  seemed  willing  to  comply  ;  but,  in  the  hurry  of  the 
moment,  and  in  the  change  of  position,  he  had  lost  the  direc- 
tion. In  vain  he  turned  either  cheek  towards  the  light  air ; 
they  felt  equally  cool.  In  this  dilemma,  Uncas  lighted  oh  the 
furrow  of  the  cannon  ball,  where  it  had  cut  the  ground  in 
three  adjacent  ant-hills. 

"  Give  me  the  range  !  "  said  Hawk-eye,  bending  to  catch 
a  glimpse  of  the  direction,  and  then  instantly  moving  onward. 

Cries,  oaths,  voices  calling  to  each  other,  and  the  reports 
of  muskets,  were  now  quick  and  incessant,  and,  apparently,  on 
every  side  of  them.  Suddenly,  a  strong  glare  of  light  flashed 
across  the  scene,  the  fog  rolled  upwards  in  thick  wreaths,  and 
several  cannon  belched  across  the  plain,  and  the  roar  was 
thrown  heavily  back  from  the  bellowing  echoes  of  the  mountain. 

"  'Tis  from  the  fort  1 "  exclaimed  Hawk-eye,  turning  short 


146  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOfflCAWS. 

on  his  tracks  ;  "  and  we,  like  stricken  fools,  were  rushing  ta 
the  woods,  under  the  very  knives  of  the  Maquas." 

The  instant  their  mistake  was  rectified,  the  whole  partj 
retraced  the  error  with  the  utmost  diligence.  Duncan  will- 
ingly relinquished  the  support  of  Cora  to  the  arm  of  Uncas, 
and  Cora  as  readily  accepted  the  welcome  assistance.  Men, 
hot  and  angry  in  pursuit,  were  evidently  on  their  footsteps, 
and  each  instant  threatened  their  capture,  if  not  their  de- 
struction. 

"  Point  de  quartier  aux  coquins  !  "  cried  an  eager  pursuer, 
who  seemed  to  direct  the  operations  of  the  enemy. 

"  Stand  firm,  and  be  ready,  my  gallant  6oths  ! "  suddenly 
exclaimed  a  voice  above  them  ;  "  wait  to  see  the  enemy ;  fire 
low,  and  sweep  the  glacis." 

"  Father  !  father !  "  exclaimed  a  piercing  cry  from  out  the 
mist ;  "  it  is  I !  Alice  !  thy  own  Elsie  !  spare,  O,  save  your 
daughters ! " 

"  Hold  !  "  shouted  the  former  speaker,  in  the  awful  tones 
of  parental  agony,  the  sound  reaching  even  to  the  woods,  and 
rolling  back  in  solemn  echo.  "'Tis  she  !  God  has  restored  me 
my  children !  Throw  open  the  sally-port;  to  the  field,  6oths, 
to  the  field  j  pull  not  a  trigger,  lest  ye  kill  my  lambs !  Drive 
off  these  dogs  of  France  with  your  steel." 

Duncan  heard  the  grating  of  the  rusty  hinges,  and  darting 
to  the  spot,  directed  by  the  sound,  he  met  a  long  line  of  dark- 
red  warriors,  passing  swiftly  towards  the  glacis.  He  knew 
them  for  his  own  battalion  of  the  royal  Americans,  and  flying 
to  their  head,  soon  swept  every  trace  of  his  pursuers  from 
before  the  works. 

For  an  instant,  Cora  and  Alice  had  stood  trembling  and 
bewildered  by  this  unexpected  desertion  •  but,  before  either 
had  leisure  for  speech,  or  even  thought,  an  officer  of  gigantic 
frame,  whose  locks  were  bleached  with  years  and  service, 
but  whose  air  of  military  grandeur  had  been  rather  softened 
than  destroyed  by  time,  rushed  out  of  the  body  of  the  mist, 
and  folded  them  to  his  bosom,  while  large  scalding  tears 
rolled  down  his  pale  and  wrinkled  cheeks,  and  he  exclaimed, 
in  the  peculiar  accent  of  Scotland, — 

"  For  this  I  thank  thee,  Lord  !  Let  danger  come  as  i? 
will,  thy  servant  is  now  perpared  1 " 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Then  go  we  in,  to  know  his  embassy ; 
Which  I  could,  with  ready  guess,  declare, 
Before  the  Frenchmen  speak  a  word  of  it 

KING  HENRY  V. 

A  FEW  succeeding  days  were  passed  amid  the  privation^ 
the  uproar,  and  the  dangers  of  the  siege,  which  was  vigor* 
ously  pressed  by  a  power,  against  whose  approaches  Munro 
possessed  no  competent  means  of  resistance.  It  appeared  as 
if  Webb,  with  his  army,  which  lay  slumbering  on  the  banks  of 
the  Hudson,  had  utterly  forgotten  the  strait  to  which  his 
countrymen  were  reduced.  Montcalm  had  rilled  the  woods 
of  the  portage  with  his  savages,  every  yell  and  whoop  from 
whom  rang  through  the  British  encampment,  chilling  the 
hearts  of  men  who  were  already  but  too  much  disposed  to 
magnify  the  danger. 

Not  so,  however,  with  the  besieged.  Animated  by  the 
words,  and  stimulated  by  the  examples,  of  their  leaders,  they 
had  found  their  courage,  and  maintained  their  ancient  rep 
utation,  with  a  zeal  that  did  justice  to  the  stern  character 
of  their  commander.  As  if  satisfied  with  the  toil  of  march- 
ing through  the  wilderness  to  encounter  his  enemy,  the  French 
general,  though  of  approved  skill,  had  neglected  to  seize  the 
adjacent  mountains,  whence  the  besieged  might  have  been 
exterminated  with  impunity,  and  which,  in  the  more  modern 
warfare  of  the  country,  would  not  have  been  neglected  for 
a  single  hour.  This  sort  of  contempt  for  eminences,  or 
rather  dread  of  the  labor  of  ascending  them,  might  have 
been  termed  the  besetting  weakness  of  the  simplicity  of  the 
Indian  contests,  in  which,  from  the  nature  of  the  combats, 
and  the  density  of  the  forests,  fortresses  were  rare,  and 
artillery  next  to  useless.  The  carelessness  engendered  by 
these  usages  descended  even  to  the  war  of  the  revolution,  and 
lost  the  States  the  important  fortress  of  Ticonderoga,  opening 
the  way  for  the  army  of  Burgoyne  into  what  was  then  the  b  som 
of  the  country.  We  look  back  at  this  ignorance,  or  infatuation, 
whichever  it  may  be  called,  with  wonder,  knowing  that  the  neg- 
lect of  an  eminence,  whose  difficulties,  like  those  of  Mou..t  Defi- 
ance, have  been  so  greatly  exaggerated,  would,  at  the  present 


148  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

time,  prove  fatal  to  the  reputation  of  the  engineer  who  had 
planned  the  works  at  their  base,  or  to  that  of  the  general 
whose  lot  it  was  to  defend  them. 

The  tourist,  the  valetudinarian,  or  the  amateur  of  the 
beauties  of  nature,  who,  in  the  train  of  his  four-in-hand,  now 
/oils  through  the  scefces  we  have  attempted  to  describe,  in 
quest  of  information,  health,  or  pleasure,  or  floats  steadily  to- 
wards his  object  on  those  artificial  waters  which  have  sprung 
up  under  the  administration  of  a  statesman  *  who  has  dared  to 
stake  his  political  character  on  the  hazardous  issue,  is  not  to 
suppose  that  his  ancestors  traversed  those  hills,  or  struggled 
with  the  same  currents  with  equal  facility.  The  transportation 
of  a  single  heavy  gun  was  often  considered  equal  to  a  victory 
gained  ;  if,  happily,  the  difficulties  of  the  passage  had  not  so 
far  separated  it  from  its  necessary  concomitant,  the  ammuni- 
tion, as  to  render  it  no  more  than  a  useless  tube  of  unwieldy 
iron. 

The  evils  of  this  state  of  things  pressed  heavily  on  the 
fortunes  of  the  resolute  Scotsman  who  now  defended  William 
Henry.  Though  his  adversary  neglected  the  hills,  he  had 
planted  his  batteries  with  judgment  on  the  plain,  and  caused 
them  to  be  served  with  vigor  and  skill.  Against  this  assault, 
the  beseiged  could  only  oppose  the  imperfect  and  hasty  pre- 
parations of  a  fortress  in  the  wilderness. 

It  was  in  the  afternoon  of  the  fifth  day  of  the  siege,  and 
the  fourth  of  his  own  service  in  it,  that  Major  Heyward  prof- 
ited by  a  parley  that  had  just  been  beaten,  by  repairing  to 
the  ramparts  of  one  of  the  water  bastions,  to  breathe  the 
cool  air  from  the  lake,  and  to  take  a  survey  of  the  progress 
of  the  siege.  He  was  alone,  if  the  solitary  sentinel  who 
paced  the  mound  be  excepted ;  for  the  artillerists,  had 
hastened  also  to  profit  by  the  temporary  suspension  of  their 
arduous  duties.  The  evening  was  delightfully  calm,  and  the 
light  air  from  the  limpid  water  fresh  and  soothing.  It  seemed 
as  if,  with  the  termination  to  the  roar  of  artillery  and  the 
plunging  of  shot,  nature  had  also  seized  the  moment  to  assume 
her  mildest  and  most  captivating  form.  The  sun  poured 
down  his  parting  glory  on  the  scene,  without  the  oppression 
of  those  fierce  rays  that  belong  to  the  climate  and  the  season 
The  mountains  looked  green,  and  fresh,  and  lovely  ;  tempered 
with  the  milder  light,  or  softened  in  shadow,  as  thin  vapors 
floated  between  them  and  the  sun.  The  numerous  islands 
rested  on  the  bosom  of  the  Horican,  some  low  and  sunken, 
*  Evidently  the  late  De  Witt  Clinton,  who  died  governor  of  New  York,  in  1828. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  I49 

as  if  imbedded  in  the  waters,  and  others  appearing  to  hover 
above  the  element,  in  little  hillocks  of  green  velvet ;  among 
which  the  fishermen  of  the  beleaguering  army  peacefully 
rowed  their  skiffs,  or  floated  at  rest  on  the  glassy  mirror,  in 
quiet  pursuit  of  their  employment. 

The  scene  was  at  once  animated  and  still.  All  that  per- 
tained to  nature,  was  sweet,  or  simply  grand  ;  while  those 
parts  which  depended  on  the  temper  and  movements  of  man 
were  lively  and  playful. 

Two  little  spotless  flags  were  abroad,  the  one  on  a  salient 
angle  of  the  fort,  and  the  other  on  the  advanced  battery  of 
the  besiegers  ;  emblems  of  the  truce  which  existed,  not  only 
to  the  acts,  but  it  would  seem,  also,  to  the  enmity  of  the 
combatants. 

Behind  these,  again,  swung,  heavily  opening  and  closing 
in  silken  folds,  the  rival  standards  of  England  and  France. 

A  hundred  gay  and  thoughtless  young  Frenchmen  were 
drawing  a  net  to  the  pebbly  beach,  within  dangerous  prox- 
imity to  the  sullen  but  silent  cannon  of  the  fort,  while  the 
eastern  mountain  was  sending  back  the  loud  shouts  and  gay 
merriment  that  attended  their  sport.  Some  were  rushing 
eagerly  to  enjoy  the  aquatic  games  of  the  lake,  and  others 
were  already  toiling  their  way  up  the  neighboring  hills,  with 
the  restless  curiosity  of  their  nation.  To  all  these  sports  and 
pursuits,  those  of  the  enemy  who  watched  the  besieged,  and 
the  besieged  themselves,  were,  however,  merely  the  idle, 
though  sympathizing  spectators.  Here  and  there  a  picket 
had,  indeed,  raised  a  song,  or  mingled  in  a  dance,  which  had 
drawn  the  dusky  savages  around  them,  from  their  lairs  in  the 
forest.  In  short,  everything  wore  rather  the  appearance  of  a 
day  of  pleasure,  than  of  an  hour  stolen  from  the  dangers  and 
toil  of  a  bloody  and  vindictive  warfare. 

Duncan  had  stood  in  a  musing  attitude,  contemplating 
this  scene  a  few  minutes,  when  his  eyes  were  directed  to  the 
glacis  in  front  of  the  sally-port  already  mentioned,  by  the 
sounds  of  approaching  footsteps.  He  walked  to  an  angle 
of  the  bastion,  and  beheld  the  scout  advancing,  under  the 
custody  of  a  Fiench  officer,  to  the  body  of  the  fort.  The 
countenance  of  Hawk-eye  was  haggard  and  careworn,  and 
his  air  dejected,  as  though  he  felt  the  deepest  degradation  at 
having  fallen  into  the  power  of  his  enemies.  He  was  without 
his  favorite  weapon,  and  his  arms  were  even  bound  behind  him, 
with  thongs,  made  of  the  skin  of  a  deer.  The  arrival  of  flags  to 
cover  the  messengers  of  summons,  had  occurred  so  often 


150  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

of  late,  that  when  Heyward  first  threw  his  careless  glance 
on  this  group,  he  expected  to  see  another  of  the  officers  of 
the  enemy,  charged  with  a  similar  office  ;  but  the  instant  he 
recognized  the  tall  person,  and  still  sturdy,  though  downcast, 
features  of  his  friend,  the  woodsman,  he  started  with  surprise, 
and  turned  to  descend  from  the  bastion  into  the  bosom  of  the 
work. 

The  sounds  of  other  voices,  however,  caught  his  attention, 
and  for  a  moment  caused  him  to  forget  his  purpose.  At  the 
inner  angle  of  the  mound  he  met  the  sisters,  walking  along 
the  parapet,  in  search,  like  himself,  of  air  and  relief  from 
confinement.  They  had  not  met  since  that  painful  moment 
when  Jie  deserted  them  on  the  plain,  only  to  assure  thei' 
safety.  He  had  parted  from  them,  worn  with  care  and  jadecl 
with  fatigue ;  he  now  saw  them  refreshed  and  blooming, 
though  timid  and  anxious.  Under  such  an  inducement,  it 
will  cause  no  surprise  that  the  young  man  lost  sight,  for  a 
time,  of  other  objects  in  order  to  address  them.  He  was, 
however,  anticipated  by  the  voice  of  the  ingenuous  and  youth- 
ful Alice. 

"  Ah  !  thou  truant !  thou  recreant  knight !  he  who  aban- 
dons his  damsels  in  the  very  lists  !  "  she  cried  ;  "  here  have 
we  been  days,  nay,  ages,  expecting  you  at  our  feet,  imploring 
mercy  and  forgetfulness  of  your  craven  backsliding ;  or,  I 
should  rather  say,  back-running, — for  verily  you  fled  in  a 
manner  that  no  stricken  deer,  as  our  worthy  friend  the  scout 
would  say,  could  equal  ! " 

"  You  know  that  Alice  means  our  thanks  and  our  bless- 
ings," added  the  grave  and  more  thoughtful  Cora.  "  In  truth, 
we  have  a  little  wondered  why  you  should  so  rigidly  absent 
yourself  from  a  place  where  the  gratitude  of  the  daughters 
might  receive  the  support  of  a  parent's  thanks." 

"  Your  father  himself  could  tell  you,  that  though  absent 
from  your  presence,  I  have  not  been  altogether  forgetful 
of  your  safety,"  returned  the  young  man  ;  "  the  mastery  of 
yonder  village  of  huts,"  pointing  to  the  neighboring  entrenched 
camp,  "  has  been  keenly  disputed  ;  and  he  who  holds  it  is 
sure  to  be  possessed  of  this  fort,  and  that  which  it  contains. 
My  days  and  my  nights  have  all  been  passed  there  since  we 
separated,  because  I  thought  that  my  duty  called  me  thither. 
But,  he  added  with  an  air  of  chagrin,  which  he  endeavored, 
though  unsuccessfully,  to  conceal, "  had  I  been  aware  that 
what  I  then  believed  a  soldier's  conduct  could  be  so  con 
strued,  shame  would  have  been  added  to  the  list  of  reasons." 


THE  LAST  OF.  THE  MOHICANS.  I^1 

"  Heyward  ! — Duncan  !  "  exclaimed  Alice,  bending  for 
ward  to  read  his  half-averted  countenance,  until  a  lock  of  hei 
golden  hair  rested  on  her  flushed  cheek,  and  nearly  con- 
cealed the  tear  that  had  started  to  her  eye  ;  "  did  I  think  this 
idle  tongue  of  mine  had  pained  you,  I  would  silence  it  forever. 
Cora  can  say,  if  Cora  would,  how  justly  we  have  prized  your 
services,  and  how  deep — I  had  almost  said  how  fervent — is 
our  gratitude." 

"  And  will  Cora  attest  the  truth  of  this  ?  "  cried  Duncan, 
suffering  the  cloud  to  be  chased  from  his  countenance  by  a 
smile  of  open  pleasure.  "  What  says  our  graver  sister  ?  Will 
she  find  an  excuse  for  the  neglect  of  the  knight  in  the  duty  of 
a  soldier  ? " 

Cora  made  no  immediate  answer,  but  turned  her  face  to- 
wards the  water,  as  if  looking  on  the  sheet  of  the  Horican. 
When  she  did  bend  her  dark  eyes  on  the  young  man,  they 
were  yet  filled  with  an  expression  of  anguish  that  at  once 
drove  every  thought  but  that  of  kind  solicitude  from  his 
mind. 

"  You  are  not  well,  dearest  Miss  Munro !  "  he  exclaimed  f 
"we  have  trifled  while  you  are  in  suffering." 

"  Tis  nothing,"  she  answered,  refusing  his  offered  support 
with  feminine  reserve.  "  That  I  cannot  see  the  sunny  side  of 
the  picture  of  life,  like  this  artless  but  ardent  enthusiast,"  she 
added,  laying  her  hand  lightly,  but  affectionately,  on  the  arm 
of  her  sister,  "  is  the  penalty  of  experience,  and,  perhaps,  the 
misfortune  of  nature.  See,"  she  continued,  as  if  determined 
to  shake  off  infirmity,  in  a  sense  of  duty ;  *'  look  around  you, 
Major  Heyward,  and  tell  me  what  a  prospect  is  this  for  the 
daughter  of  a  soldier  whose  greater  happiness  is  his  honor  and 
bis  military  renown." 

"  Neither  ought  nor  shall  be  tarnished  by  circumstances 
over  which  he  has  had  no  control,"  Duncan  warmly  replied. 
"  But  your  words  recall  me  to  my  own  duty.  I  go  now  to 
your  gallant  father,  to  hear  his  determination  in  matters  of 
the  last  moment  to  the  defence.  God  bless  you  in  every  for. 
tune,  noble — Cora — I  may,  and  must  call  you."  She  frankly 
gave  him  her  hand,  though  her  lip  quivered,  and  her  cheeks 
gradually  became  of  an  ashy  paleness.  "  In  every  fortune,  I 
know  you  will  be  an  ornament  and  honor  to  your  sex.  Alice, 
adieu," — his  tone  changed  from  admiration  to  tenderness— 
"  adieu,  Alice  ;  we  shall  soon  meet  again ;  as  conquerors,  I 
trust,  and  amid  rejoicings  !  " 

Without  waiting  for  an  answer  from  either,  the  young  man 


I52  THE  LAST  Of  THE  MOHICANS. 

threw  himself  down  the  grassy  steps  of  the  bastion,  and  mov« 
ing  rapidly  across  the  parade,  he  was  quickly  in  the  presence 
of  their  father.  Munro  was  pacing  his  narrow  apartment, 
with  a  disturbed  air  and  gigantic  strides,  as  Duncan  entered. 

"  You  have  anticipated  my  wishes,  Major  Heywardr"  he 
said  ,*  "  I  was  about  to  request  this  favor." 

"  I  am  sorry  to  see,  sir,  that  the  messenger  I  so  warmly 
recommended  has  returned  in  custody  of  the  French  !  I  hopo 
there  is  no  reason  to  distrust  his  fidelity  ? " 

"  The  fidelity  of  '  The  Long  Rifle  '  is  well  known  to  me," 
returned  Munro,  "  and  is  above  suspicion  ;  though  his  usual 
good  fortune  seems,  at  last,  to  have  failed.  Montcalm  has 
got  him,  and  with  the  accursed  politeness  of  his  nation,  he 
has  sent  him  in  with  a  doleful  tale,  of  *  knowing  how  I  valued 
the  fellow,  he  could  not  think  of  retaining  him.'  A  Jesuitical 
way,  that,  Major  Duncan  Heyward,  of  telling  a  man  of  his 
misfortunes !  " 

"  But  the  general  and  his  succor ! — " 

"  Did  ye  look  to  the  south  as  ye  entered,  and  could  ye  not 
see  them  ?  "  said  the  old  soldier,  laughing  bitterly.  "  Hoot! 
hoot !  you're  an  impatient  boy,  sir,  and  cannot  give  the  gen- 
tlemen leisure  for  their  march." 

"  They  are  coming  then  ?     The  scout  has  said  as  much  ?  " 

"  When  ?  and  by  what  path  ?  for  the  dunce  has  omitted  to 
tell  me  this.  There  is  a  letter,  it  would  seem,  too,  and  that  is 
the  only  agreeable  part  of  the  matter.  For  the  customary  at- 
tentions of  your  Marquis  of  Montcalm — I  warrant  me,  Dun- 
can, that  he  of  Lothian  would  buy  a  dozen  such  marquisates 
— but,  if  the  news  of  the  letter  were  bad,  the  gentility  of 
this  French  monsieur  would  certainly  compel  him  to  let  us 
know  it." 

"  He  keeps  the  letter,  then,  while  he  releases  the  nes- 
senger  ? " 

"  Ay,  that  does  he,  and  all  for  the  sake  of  what  you  call 
your  '  bonhommie.'  I  would  venture,  if  the  truth  was  known, 
the  fellow's  grandfather  taught  the  noble  science  of  dancing." 

"  But  what  says  the  scout  ?  he  has  eyes  and  ears,  and  a 
tongue  :  what  verbal  report  does  he  make  ?  " 

"  Oh  !  sir,  he  is  not  wanting  in  natural  organs,  and  he  is 
free  to  tell  all  that  he  has  seen  and  heard.  The  whole  amount 
is  this ;  there  is  a  fort  of  his  majesty's  on  the  banks  on  the 
Hudson,  called  Edward,  in  honor  of  his  gracious  highness  of 
York,  you'll  know ;  and  it  is  well  filled  with  armed  men,  as 
such  a  work  should  be." 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  ^3 

"  But  was  there  no  movement,  no  signs  of  any  intentions 
TO  advance  to  our  relief  ?  " 

"  There  were  the  morning  and  evening  parades ;  and 
when  one  of  the  provincial  loons — you'll  know,  Duncan, 
you're  half  a  Scotsman  yourself — when  one  of  them  dropped 
his  powder  over  his  porretch,  if  it  touched  the  coals,  it  just 
burnt ! "  Then  suddenly  changing  his  bitter,  ironical  man- 
ner, to  one  more  grave  and  thoughtful,  he  continued  •  "  and 
yet  there  might,  and  must  be  something  in  that  letter  which  it 
•would  be  well  to  know  1 " 

"  Our  decision  should  be  speedy,"  said  Duncan,  gladly 
availing  himself  of  this  change  of  humor,  to  press  the  more 
important  objects  of  their  interview.  "  I  cannot  conceal  from 
you,  sir,  that  the  camp  will  not  be  much  longer  tenable  ;  and 
I  am  sorry  to  add,  that  things  appear  no  better  in  the  fort; 
— more  than  half  the  guns  are  bursted." 

"  And  how  should  it  be  otherwise  ?  Some  were  fished 
from  the  bottom  of  the  lake ;  some  have  been  rusting  in  the 
woods  since  the  discovery  of  the  country  ;  and  some  were 
never  guns  at  all — mere  privateersmen's  playthings  !  Do  you 
think,  sir,  you  can  have  Woolwich  Warren  in  the  midst  of  a 
wilderness,  three  thousand  miles  from  Great  Britain  ? " 

"  The  walls  are  crumbling  about  our  ears,  and  provisions 
begin  to  fail  us,"  continued  Heyward,  without  regarding  this 
new  burst  of  indignation  ;  "  even  the  men  show  signs  of  dis- 
content and  alarm." 

"Major  Heyward,"  said  Munro,  turning  to  his  youthful 
associate  with  the  dignity  of  his  years  and  superior  rank  ;  "  I 
should  have  served  his  majesty  for  half  a  century,  and  earned 
these  gray  hairs  in  vain,  were  I  ignorant  of  all  you  say,  and 
of  the  pressing  nature  of  our  circumstances  ;  still,  there  is 
everything  due  to  the  honor  of  the  king's  arms  and  something 
to  ourselves.  While  there  is  hope  of  succor,  this  fortress  will 
I  defend,  though  it  be  to  be  done  with  pebbles  gathered  on 
the  lake  shore.  It  is  a  sight  of  the  letter,  therefore,  that  we 
want,  that  we  may  know  the  intentions  of  the  man  the  Earl  of 
Loudon  has  left  among  us  as  his  substitute." 

"  And  can  I  be  of  service  in  the  matter?  " 

"  Sir,  you  can  ;  the  Marquis  of  Montcalm  has,  in  addition 
to  his  other  civilities,  invited  me  to  a  personal  interview  be- 
tween the  works  and  his  own  camp ;  in  order,  as  he  says,  to 
impart  some  additional  information.  Now,  I  think  it  would 
not  be  wise  to  show  any  undue  solicitude  to  meet  him,  and  I 
would  employ  you,  an  officer  of  rank,  as  my  substitute ;  for  it 


IS4  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

would  but  ill  comport  with  the  honor  of  Scotland  to  let  it  be 
said  one  of  her  gentlemen  was  outdone  in  civility  by  a  native 
of  any  other  country  on  earth." 

Without  assuming  the  supererogatory  task  of  entering  into 
a  discussion  of  the  comparative  merits  of  national  courtesy; 
Duncan  cheerfully  assented  to  supply  the  place  of  the  veteran 
in  the  approaching  interview.  A  long  and  confidential  com- 
munication now  succeeded,  during  which  the  young  man  re- 
ceived some  additional  insight  into  his  duty,  from  the  expe- 
rience and  native  acuteness  of  his  commander,  and  then  the 
former  took  his  leave. 

As  Duncan  could  only  act  as  the  representative  of  the 
commandant  of  the  fort,  the  ceremonies  which  should  have 
accompanied  a  meeting  between  the  heads  of  the  adverse 
forces  were,  of  course,  dispensed  with.  The  truce  still 
existed,  and  with  a  roll  and  beat  of  the  drum,  and  covered  by 
a  little  white  flag,  Duncan  left  the  sally-port,  within  ten  min- 
utes after  his  instructions  were  ended.  He  was  received  by 
the  French  officer  in  advance  with  the  usual  formalities,  and 
immediately  accompanied  to  a  distant  marquee  of  the  re- 
nowned soldier  who  led  the  forces  of  France. 

The  general  of  the  enemy  received  the  youthful  messenger, 
surrounded  by  his  principal  officers,  and  by  a  swarthy  band 
of  the  native  chiefs,  who  had  followed  him  to  the  field,  with 
the  warriors  of  their  several  tribes.  Hey  ward  paused  short, 
when,  in  glancing  his  eyes  rapidly  over  the  dark  group  of  the 
latter,  he  beheld  the  malignant  countenance  of  Magua,  re- 
garding him  with  the  calm  but  sullen  attention  which  marked 
the  expression  of  that  subtle  savage.  A  slight  exclamation 
of  surprise  even  burst  from  the  lips  of  the  young  man  ;  but, 
instantly  recollecting  his  errand,  and  the  presence  in  which 
he  stood,  he  suppressed  every  appearance  of  emotion,  and 
turned  to  the  hostile  leader,  who  had  already  advanced  a  step 
to  receive  him. 

The  Marquis  of  Montcalm  was,  at  the  period  of  which  we 
write,  in  the  flower  of  his  age,  and,  it  may  be  added,  in  the 
zenith  of  his  fortunes.  But,  even  in  that  enviable  situation, 
he  was  affable,  and  distinguished  as  much  for  his  attention 
to  the  forms  of  courtesy,  as  for  that  chivalrous  courage  which, 
only  two  short  years  afterwards,  induced  him  to  throw  away 
his  life  on  the  plains  of  Abraham.  Duncan,  in  turning  his 
eyes  from  the  malign  expression  of  Magua,  suffered  them  to 
rest  with  pleasure  on  the  smiling  and  polished  features,  and 
the  noble  military  air,  of  the  French  general. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


'55 


"  Monsieur,"  said  the  latter,  "  j'ai  beaucoup  de  piaisir  a— 
bah  ! — oil  est  cet  interprete  ?  " 

"  Je  crois,  monsieur,  qu'il  ne  sera  pas  necessaire,"  Hey- 
ward  modestly  replied  ;  "  je  parle  un  peu  Franc,ais." 

"  Ah  !  j'en  suis  bien  aise,"  said  Montcalm,  taking  Duncan 
familiarly  by  the  arm,  and  leading  him  deep  into  the  marquee, 
a  little  out  of  ear-shot ;  "  je  deteste  ces  fripons-la ;  on  ne  sait 
^amais  sur  quel  pie  on  est  avec  eux.  Eh,  bien !  monsieur," 
he  continued,  still  speaking  in  French  ;  "  though  I  should 
have  been  proud  of  receiving  your  commandant,  I  am  very 
happy  that  he  has  seen  proper  to  employ  an  officer  so  distin- 
guished, and  who,  I  am  sure,  is  so  amiable  as  yourself." 

Duncan  bowed  low,  pleased  with  the  compliment,  in  spite 
of  a  most  heroic  determination  to  suffer  no  artifice  to  allure 
him  into  forgetfulness  of  the  interest  of  his  prince  ;  and  Mont- 
calm,  after  a  pause  of  a  moment,  as  if  to  collect  his  thoughts, 
proceeded, — 

"  Your  commandant  is  a  brave  man,  and  well  qualified  to 
repel  my  assault.  Mais,  monsieur,  is  it  not  time  to  begin  to 
take  more  council  of  humanity,  and  less  of  your  courage? 
The  one  as  strongly  characterizes  the  hero  as  the  other." 

"  We  consider  the  qualities  as  inseparable,"  returned 
Duncan,  smiling  ;  <*  but  while  we  find  in  the  vigor  of  your  ex< 
cellency  every  motive  to  stimulate  the  one,  we  can,  as  yet,  see 
no  particular  call  for  the  exercise  of  the  other." 

Montcalm,  in  his  turn,  slightly  bowed,  but  it  was  with  the 
air  of  a  man  too  practised  to  remember  the  language  of  flat- 
tery. After  musing  a  moment,  he  added, — 

"  It  is  possible  my  glasses  have  deceived  me,  and  that 
your  works  resist  our  cannon  better  than  I  had  supposed. 
You  know  our  force  ? " 

"Our  accounts  vary,"  said  Duncan,  carelessly;  "the 
highest,  however,  has  not  exceeded  twenty  thousand  men." 

The  Frenchman  bit  his  lip,  and  fastened  his  eyes  keenly 
on  the  other  as  if  he  read  his  thoughts  ;  then,  with  a  readi- 
ness peculiar  to  himself,  he  continued,  as  if  assenting  to  the 
truth  of  an  enumeration  which  quite  doubled  his  army, — 

"  It  is  a  poor  compliment  to  the  vigilance  of  us  soldiers, 
monsieur,  that,  do  what  we  will,  we  never  can  conceal  our 
numbers.  If  it  were  to  be  done  at  all,  one  would  believe  it 
might  succeed  in  these  woods.  Though  you  think  it  too  soon 
to  listen  to  the  calls  of  humanity,"  he  added,  smiling  archly, 
"  I  may  be  permitted  to  believe  that  gallantry  is  not  forgot- 
ten by  one  so  young  as  yourself.  The  daughters  of  the 


IS6  THE  LAST  OP  THE  MOHICANS. 

commandant,  I  learn,  have  passed  into  the  fort  since  it  wa§ 
invested  ?  " 

"  It  is  true,  monsieur  ;  but,  so  far  from  weakening  oui 
efforts,  they  set  us  an  example  of  courage  in  their  own  for- 
titude. Were  nothing  but  resolution  necessary  to  repel  so 
accomplished  a  soldier  as  M.  de  Montcalm,  I  would  gladly 
trust  the  defence  of  William  Henry  to  the  elder  of  those 
ladies." 

"  We  have  a  wise  ordinance  in  our  Salique  laws,  which 
says,  *  the  crown  of  France  shall  never  degrade  the  lance  to 
the  distaff,'  "  said  Montcalm,  dryly,  and  with  a  little  hauteur  ; 
but  instantly  adding,  with  his  former  frank  and  easy  air,  "  as 
all  the  nobler  qualities  are  hereditary,  I  can  easily  credit  you  ; 
though,  as  I  said  before,  courage  has  its  limits,  and  humanity 
must  not  be  forgotten.  I  trust,  monsieur,  you  come  author- 
ized to  treat  for  the  surrender  of  the  place  ?  " 

"  Has  your  excellency  found  our  defence  so  feeble  as  to 
believe  the  measure  necessary  ?  " 

"  I  should  be  sorry  to  have  the  defence  protracted  in  such 
a  manner  as  to  irritate  my  red  friends  there,"  continued 
Montcalm,  glancing  his  eyes  at  the  group  of  grave  and  at- 
tentive Indians,  without  attending  to  the  other's  question ; 
"  I  find  it  difficult,  even  now,  to  limit  them  to  the  usages  of. 
war." 

Heyward  was  silent ;  for  a  painful  recollection  of  the  dan- 
gers he  had  so  recently  escaped  came  over  his  mind,  and  re- 
called the  images  of  those  defenceless  beings  who  had  shared 
in  all  his  sufferings. 

"  Ces  messieurs-Id,"  said  Montcalm,  following  up  the  ad- 
vantage which  he  conceived  he  had  gained,  "  are  most  for- 
midable, when  baffled  j  and  it  is  unnecessary  to  tell  you  with 
what  difficulty  they  are  restrained  in  their  anger.  Eh  bierj^ 
monsieur !  shall  we  speak  of  the  terms  ?  " 

"  I  fear  your  excellency  has  been  deceived  as  to  the 
strength  of  William  Henry,  and  the  resources  of  its  gar 
rison  I  " 

"  I  have  not  sat  down  before  Quebec,  but  an  earthen  work, 
that  is  defended  by  twenty-three  hundred  gallant  men,"  was 
the  laconic  reply. 

"  Our  mounds  are  earthen,  certainly — nor  are  they  seated 
on  the  rocks  of  Cape  Diamond  ; — but  they  stand  on  that  shore 
which  proved  so  destructive  to  Dieskau  and  his  army.  There 
is  also  a  powerful  force  within  a  few  hours'  march  of  us,  which 
we  account  upon  as  part  of  our  means." 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


'57 


"Some  six  or  eight  thousand  men,"  returned  Montcalm, 
with  much  apparent  indifference,  "whom  their  leader  wisely 
judges  to  be  safer  in  their  works  than  in  the  field." 

It  was  now  Heyward's  turn  to  bite  his  lip  with  vexation. 
AS  the  other  so  coolly  alluded  to  a  force  which  the  young  man 
knew  to  be  overrated.  Both  mused  a  little  while  in  silence, 
when  Montcalm  renewed  the  conversation,  in  a  way  that 
showed  he  believed  the  visit  of  his  guest  was  solely  to  pro- 
pose terms  of  capitulation.  On  the  other  hand,  Heyward 
began  to  throw  sundry  inducements  in  the  way  of  the  French 
general,  to  betray  the  discoveries  he  had  made  through  the 
intercepted  letter.  The  artifice  of  neither,  however,  suc- 
ceeded-; and  after  a  protracted  and  fruitless  interview,  Dun- 
can took  his  leave,  favorably  impressed  with  an  opinion  of 
the  courtesy  and  talents  of  the  enemy's  captain,  but  as  ignor 
ant  of  what  he  come  to  learn  as  when  he  arrived.  Montcalm 
followed  him  as  far  as  the  entrance  of  the  marquee,  renewing 
his  invitations  to  the  commandant  of  the  fort  to  give  him  an 
immediate  meeting  in  the  open  ground,  between  the  two 
armies. 

There  they  separated,  and  Duncan  returned  to  the  ad- 
vanced post  of  the  French,  accompanied  as  before;  whence 
he  instantly  proceeded  to  the  fort,  and  to  the  quarters  of  hi* 
own  commander. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Edg.— Before  you  fight  the  battle,  ope  this  letter. 

LEAR. 

MAJOR  HEYWARD  found  Munro  attended  only  by  his 
daughters.  Alice  sate  upon  his  knee,  parting  the  gray  hairs 
on  the  forehead  of  the  old  man  with  her  delicate  fingers  ;  and, 
whenever  he  affected  to  frown  on  her  trifling,  appeasing  his 
assumed  anger  by  pressing  her  ruby  lips  fondly  on  his  wrink 
led  brow.  Cora  was  seated  nigh  them,  a  calm  and  amused 
looker-on  :  regarding  the  wayward  movements  of  her  more 
youthful  sister,  with  that  species  of  maternal  fondness  which 
characterized  her  love  for  Alice.  Not  only  the  dangers 
through  which  they  had  passed,  but  those  which  still  im« 


!  £8  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS, 

pended  above  them,  appeared  to  be  momentarily  forgotten, 
in  the  soothing  indulgence  of  such  a  family  meeting.  It 
seemed  as  if  they  had  profited  by  the  short  truce,  to  devote 
an  instant  to  the  purest  and  best  affections  ;  the  daughters 
forgetting  their  fears,  and  the  veteran  his  cares,  in  the  security 
of  the  moment.  Of  this  scene,  Duncan,  who  in  his  eagerness 
to  report  his  arrival  had  entered  unannounced,  stood  many 
moments  an  unobserved  and  a  delighted  spectator.  But  the 
quick  and  dancing  eyes  of  Alice  soon  caught  a  glimpse  of 
his  figure  reflected  from  a  glass,  and  she  sprang  blushing  from 
her  father's  knee,  exclaiming  aloud, — 

"  Major  Heyward  !  " 

"  What  of  the  lad  ?  "  demanded  her  father ;  "  I  have  sent 
him  to  crack  a  little  with  the  Frenchman.  Ha !  sir,  you  are 
young,  and  you're  nimble  !  Away  with  you,  ye  baggage  ;  as 
if  there  were  not  troubles  enough  for  a  soldier,  without  having 
his  camp  filled  with  such  prattling  hussies  as  yourself  !  " 

Alice  laughingly  followed  her  sister,  who  instantly  led  the 
way  from  an  apartment  where  she  perceived  their  presence 
was  no  longer  desirable.  Munro,  instead  of  demanding  the 
result  of  the  young  man's  mission,  paced  the  room  for  a  few 
moments,  with  his  hands  behind  his  back,  and  his  head  in- 
clined towards  the  floor,  like  a  man  lost  in  thought.  At 
length  he  raised  his  eyes,  glistening  with  a  father's  fondness, 
and  exclaimed, — 

"  They  are  a  pair  of  excellent  girls,  Heyward,  and  such  as 
any  one  may  boast  of." 

"  You  are  not  now  to  learn  my  opinion  of  your  daughters, 
Colonel  Munro." 

"True,  lad,  true,"  interrupted  the  impatient  old  man; 
"  you  were  about  opening  your  mind  more  fully  on  that  matter 
the  day  you  got  in  ;  but  I  did  not  think  it  becoming  in  an  old 
soldier  to  be  talking  of  nuptial  blessings  and  wedding  jokes 
when  the  enemies  of  his  king  were  likely  to  be  unbidden 
guests  at  the  feast !  But  I  was  wrong,  Duncan,  boy,  I  was 
wrong  there  ;  and  I  am  now  ready  to  hear  what  you  have  to 
say." 

"  Notwithstanding  the  pleasure  your  assurance  gives  me, 
dear  sir,  I  have,  just  now,  a  message  from  Montcalm, — " 

"  Let  the  Frenchman  and  all  his  host  go  to  the  devil,  sir  !  " 
exclaimed  the  hasty  veteran.  "  He  is  not  yet  master  of 
William  Henry,  nor  shall  he  ever  be,  provided  Webb  proves 
himself  the  man  he  should.  No,  sir  !  thank  heaven,  we  are 
not  yet  in  such  a  strait  that  it  can  be  said  Munro  is  too  much 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


'59 


pressed  to  discharge  the  little  domestic  duties  of  his  own 
family.  Your  mother  was  the  only  child  of  my  bosom  friend, 
Duncan  ;  and  I'll  just  give  you  a  hearing,  though  all  the 
knights  of  St.  Louis  were  in  a  body  at  the  sally-port,  with  the 
French  saint  at  their  head,  craving  to  speak  a  word  under 
favor.  A  pretty  degree  of  knighthood,  sir,  is  that  which  can 
be  bought  with  sugar-hogsheads  !  and  then  your  two-penny 
marquisates  !  The  thistle  is  the  order  for  dignity  and  an- 
tiquity ;  the  veritable  '  nemo  me  impune  lacessit '  of  chivalry  ! 
Ye  had  ancestors  in  that  degree,  Duncan,  and  they  were  an 
ornament  to  the  nobles  of  Scotland." 

Heyward,  who  perceived  that  his  superior  took  a  malicious 
pleasure  in  exhibiting  his  contempt  for  the  message  of  the 
French  general,  was  fain  to  humor  a  spleen  that  he  knew 
would  be  short-lived ;  he  therefore  replied  with  as  much  in- 
difference as  he  could  assume  on  such  a  subject, — 

"  My  request,  as  you  know,  sir,  went  so  far  as  to  presume 
to  the  honor  of  being  your  son." 

"  Ay,  boy,  you  found  words  to  make  yourself  very  plainly 
comprehended.  But,  let  me  ask  ye,  sir,  have  ye  been  as  in- 
telligible to  the  girl  ? " 

"  On  my  honor,  no,"  exclaimed  Duncan,  warmly  ;  "  there 
would  have  been  an  abuse  of  a  confided  trust,  had  I  taken 
advantage  of  my  situation  for  such  a  purpose." 

"  Your  notions  are  those  of  a  gentleman,  Major  Heyward, 
and  well  enough  in  their  place.  But  Cora  Munro  is  a  maiden 
too  discreet,  and  of  a  mind  too  elevated  and  improved,  to 
need  the  guardianship  even  of  a  father  " 

"Cora!" 

"  Ay — Cora  !  we  are  talking  of  your  pretensions  to  Miss 
Munro,  are  we  not,  sir  ?  " 

"  I — I — I  was  not  conscious  of  having  mentioned  her 
name,"  said  Duncan,  stammering. 

"  And  to  marry  whom,  then,  did  you  wish  my  consent, 
Major  Heyward  ?  "  demanded  the  old  soldier,  erecting  him- 
self in  the  dignity  of  offended  feeling. 

"  You  have  another,  and  not  less  lovely  child." 

"  Alice  !  "  exclaimed  the  father,  in  an  astonishment  equal 
to  that  with  which  Duncan  had  just  repeated  the  name  of  her 
sister. 

"  Such  was  the  direction  of  my  wishes,  sir."' 

The  young  man  waited  in  silence  the  result  of  the  extra- 
ordinary effect  produced  by  a  communication  which,  as  it  now 
appeared,  was  so  unexpected.  For  several  minutes  Munro 


!6o  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

paced  the  chamber  with  long  and  rapid  strides,  his  rigid 
features  working  convulsively,  and  every  faculty  seemingly 
absorbed  in  the  musings  of  his  own  mind.  At  length,  ht 
paused  directly  in  front  of  Heyward,  and  riveting  his  eyes 
upon  those  of  the  other,  he  said,  with  a  lip  that  quivered 
violently, — 

"  Duncan  Heyward,  I  have  loved  you  for  the  sake  of  him 
whose  blood  is  in  your  veins ;  I  have  loved  you  for  your  own 
good  qualities  ;  and  I  have  loved  you,  because  I  thought  you 
would  contribute  to  the  happiness  of  my  child.  But  all  this 
love  would  turn  to  hatred,  were  I  assured  that  what  I  so  much 
apprehend  is  true." 

"  God  forbid  that  any  act  or  thought  of  mine  should  lead 
to  such  a  change !  "  exclaimed  the  young  man,  whose  eye 
never  quailed  under  the  penetrating  look  it  encountered. 
Without  adverting  to  the  impossibility  of  the  other's  compre- 
hending those  feelings  which  were  hid  in  his  own  bosom, 
Munro  suffered  himself  to  be  appeased  by  the  unaltered  coun- 
tenance he  met,  and  with  a  voice  sensibly  softened,  he  con- 
tinued— 

"  You  would  be  my  son,  Duncan,  and  you're  ignorant  ot 
the  history  of  the  man  you  wish  to  call  your  father.  Sit  yfe 
down,  young  man,  and  I  will  open  to  you  the  wounds  of  a 
seared  heart,  in  as  few  words  as  may  be  suitable." 

By  this  time,  the  message  of  Montcalm  was  as  much  for- 
gotten by  him  who  bore  it  as  by  the  man  for  whose  ears  it 
was  intended.  Each  drew  a  chair,  and  while  the  veteran 
communed  a  few  moments  with  his  own  thoughts,  apparently 
in  sadness,  the  youth  suppressed  his  impatience  in  a  look 
and  attitude  of  respectful  attention.  At  length  the  former 
spoke — 

"You  know,  already,  Major  Heyward,  that  my  family 
was  both  ancient  and  honorable,"  commenced  the  Scotsman  j 
"  though  it  might  not  altogether  be  endowed  with  that  amount 
of  wealth  that  should  correspond  with  its  degree.  I  was, 
maybe,  such  an  one  as  yourself  when  I  plighted  my  faith  to 
Alice  Graham,  the  only  child  of  a  neighboring  laird  of  some 
estate.  But  the  connection  was  disagreeable  to  her  father, 
on  more  accounts  than  my  poverty.  I  did,  therefore,  what 
an  honest  man  should — restored  the  maiden  her  troth,  and 
departed  the  country  in  the  service  of  my  king.  I  had  seeo 
many  regions,  and  had  shed  much  blood  in  different  lands, 
before  duty  called  me  to  the  islands  of  the  West  Indies. 
There  it  was  my  lot  to  form  a  connection  with  one  who  in 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  161 

time  became  my  wife,  and  the  mother  of  Cora.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  a  gentleman  of  those  isles,  by  a  lady  whose  mis- 
fortune it  was,  if  you  will,"  said  the  old  man,  proudly,  "to  be 
descended,  remotely,  from  that  unfortunate  class  who  are  so 
basely  enslaved  to  administer  to  the  wants  of  a  luxurious 
people.  Ay,  sir,  that  is  a  curse  entailed  on  Scotland  by  her 
unnatural  union  with  a  foreign  and  trading  people.  But  could 
I  find  a  man  among  them  who  would  dare  to  reflect  on  my 
shild,  he  should  feel  the  weight  of  a  father's  anger!  Ha! 
Majoi  Heyward,  you  are  yourself  born  at  the  south,  where 
these  unfortunate  beings  are  considered  of  a  race  inferior  to 
your  own." 

"  Tis  most  unfortunately  true,  sir,"  said  Duncan,  unable 
any  longer  to  prevent  his  eyes  from  sinking  to  the  floor  in 
embarrassment. 

"  And  you  cast  it  on  my  child  as  a  reproach  !  You  scorn 
to  mingle  the  blood  of  the  Heywards  with  one  so  degraded- 
lovely  and  virtuous  though  she  be  ? "  fiercely  demanded  the 
jealous  parent. 

"  Heaven  protect  me  from  a  prejudice  so  unworthy  of  my 
reason  !  "  returned  Duncan,  at  the  same  time  conscious  oi 
such  a  feeling,  and  that  as  deeply  rooted  as  if  it  had  been 
ingrafted  in  his  nature.  "The  sweetness,  the  beauty,  the 
witchery  of  your  younger  daughter,  Colonel  Munro,  might 
explain  my  motives,  without  imputing  to  me  this  injustice." 

"  Ye  are  right,  sir,"  returned  the  old  man,  again  changing 
his  tones  to  those  of  gentleness,  or  rather  softness ;  "  the  girl 
is  the  image  of  what  her  mother  was  at  her  years,  and  before 
she  had  become  acquainted  with  grief.  When  death  deprived 
me  of  my  wife  I  returned  to  Scotland,  enriched  by  the  mar- 
riage ;  and  would  you  think  it,  Duncan !  the  suffering  angel 
had  remained  in  the  heartless  state  of  celibacy  twenty  long 
years,  and  that  for  the  sake  of  a  man  who  could  forget  her  ! 
She  did  more,  sir;  she  overlooked  my  want  of  faith,  and  all 
difficulties  being  now  removed,  she  took  me  for  her  hus- 
band." 

"  And  became  the  mother  of  Alice  ?  "  exclaimed  Duncan, 
with  an  eagerness  that  might  have  proved  dangerous  at  a 
moment  when  the  thoughts  of  Munro  were  less  occupied  than 
at  present. 

"  She  did,  indeed,"  said  the  old  man,  "  and  dearly  did 
she  pay  for  the  blessing  she  bestowed.  But  she  is  a  saint  in 
heaven,  sir  ;  and  it  rti  becomes  one  whose  foot  rests  on  the 
grave  to  mourn  a  lot  so  blessed.  I  had  her  but  a  single  year, 


162  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

though  ;  a  short  term  of  happiness  for  one  who  had  seen  hei 
youth  fade  in  hopeless  pining." 

There  was  something  so  commanding  in  the  distress  of 
the  old  man,  that  Heyward  did  not  dare  to  venture  a  syllable 
of  consolation.  Munro  sat  utterly  unconscious  of  the  other's 
presence,  his  features  exposed  and  working  with  the  anguish 
of 'his  regrets,  while  heavy  tears  fell  from  his  eyes,  and  rolled 
unheeded  from  his  cheeks  to  the  floor.  At  length  he  moved, 
as  if  suddenly  recovering  his  recollection  ;  when  he  arose, 
and  taking  a  single  turn  across  the  room,  he  approached 
his  companion  with  an  air  of  military  grandeur,  and  de- 
manded,— 

"Have  you  not,  Major  Heyward,  some  communication 
that  I  should  hear  from  the  Marquis  de  Montcalm  ? " 

Duncan  started,  in  his  turn,  and  immediately  commenced, 
in  an  embarrassed  voice,  the  half-forgotten  message.  It  is 
unnecessary  to  dwell  upon  the  evasive,  though  polite  manner, 
with  which  the  French,  general  had  eluded  every  attempt  of 
Heyward  to  worm  from  him  the  purport  of  the  communication 
he  had  proposed  making,  or  on  the  decided,  though  still 
polished  message,  by  which  he  now  gave  his  enemy  to  under- 
stand, that  unless  he  chose  to  receive  it  in  person,  he  should 
not  receive  it  at  all.  As  Munro  listened  to  the  detail  of  Dun- 
can, the  excited  feelings  of  the  father  gradually  gave  way  before 
the  obligations  of  his  station,  and  when  the  other  was  done, 
he  saw  before  him  nothing  but  the  veteran,  swelling  with  the 
wounded  feelings  of  a  soldier. 

"  You  have  said  enough,  Major  Heyward  I  "  exclaimed 
the  angry  old  man  ;  "  enough  to  make  a  volume  of  commen- 
tary on  French  civility.  Here  has  this  gentleman  invited  me 
to  a  conference,  and  when  I  send  him  a  capable  substitute, 
for  ye're  all  that,  Duncan,  though  your  years  are  but  few,  he 
answers  me  with  a  riddle." 

"He  may  have  thought  less  favorably  of  the  substitute,  my 
dear  sir ;  and  you  will  remember  that  the  invitation,  which  he 
now  repeats,  was  to  the  commandant  of  the  works,  and  not 
to  his  second." 

"  Well,  sir,  is  not  a  substitute  clothed  with  all  the  power 
and  dignity  of  him  who  grants  the  commission  ?  He  wishes 
to  confer  with  Munro !  Faith,  sir,  I  have  much  inclination  to 
indulge  the  man,  if  it  should  only  be  to  let  him  behold  the 
firm  countenance  we  maintain  in  spite  of  his  numbers  and 
his  summons.  There  might  be  no  bad  policy  in  such  a  strok^ 
young  man." 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  163 

Duncan,  who  believed  it  of  the  last  importance  that  they 
should  speedily  come  at  the  contents  of  the  letter  borne  by 
the  scout,  gladly  encouraged  this  idea. 

"Without  doubt,  he  could  gather  no  confidence  by  witness* 
ing  our  indifference,"  he  said. 

"  You  never  said  truer  word.  I  could  wish,  sir,  that  he 
would  visit  the  works  in  open  day,  and  in  the  form  of  a  storm- 
ing party  :  that*  is  the  least  failing  method  of  proving  the 
countenance  of  an  enemy,  and  would  be  far  preferable  to  the 
battering;  system  he  has  chosen.  The  beauty  and  manliness 
of  warfare  have  been  much  deformed,  Major  Heyward,  by  the 
arts  of  your  Monsieur  Vauban.  Our  ancestors  were  far  above 
such  scientific  cowardice." 

"It  may  be  very  true,  sir ;  but  we  are  now  obliged  to 
repel  art  by  art.  What  is  your  pleasure  in  the  matter  of  the 
interview  ?  " 

"I  will  meet 'the  Frenchman,  and  that  without  fear  or 
delay  ;  promptly,  sir,  as  becomes  a  servant  of  my  royal  mas- 
ter. Go,  Major  Heyward,  and  give  them  a  flourish  of  the 
music  ;  and  send  out  a  messenger  to  let  them  know  who  is 
coming.  We  will  follow  with  a  small  guard,  for  such  respect 
is  due  to  one  who  holds  the  honor  of  his  king  in  keeping ; 
hark'ee,  Duncan,"  he  added,  in  a  half  whisper,  though  they 
were  alone,  "  it  may  be  prudent  to  have  some  aid  at  hand,  in 
case  there  should  be  treachery  at  bottom  of  it  all." 

The  young  man  availed  himself  of  this  order  to  quit  the 
apartment ;  and,  as  the  day  was  fast  coming  to  a  close,  he 
hastened,  without  delay,  to  make  the  necessary  arrangements. 
A  very  few  minutes  only  were  necessary  to  parade  a  few  files, 
and  to  despatch  an  orderly  with  a  flag  to  announce  the  ap- 
proach of  the  commandant  of  the  fort.  When  Duncan  had 
done  both  these  he  led  the  guard  to  the  sally  port,  near  which 
he  found  his  superior  ready,  waiting  his  appearance.  As  soon 
as  the  usual  ceremonials  of  a  military  departure  were  observed 
the  veteran  and  his  more  youthful  companion  left  the  fortress, 
attended  by  the  escort. 

They  had  proceeded  only  a  hundred  yards  from  the  works, 
when  the  little  array  which  attended  the  French  general  to 
the  conference,  was  seen  issuing  from  the  hollow  way,  which 
formed  the  bed  of  a  brook  that  ran  between  the  batteries  of 
the  besiegers  and  the  fort.  From  the  moment  that  Munro 
left  his  own  works  to  appear  in  front  of  his  enemies,  his  air 
had  been  grand,  and  his  step  and  countenance  highly  military 
The  instant  he  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  white  plume  that 


1 64  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

waved  in  the  hat  of  Montcalm,  his  eye  lighted,  and  age  no 
longer  appeared  to  possess  any  influence  over  his  vast  and 
still  muscular  person.  , 

"  Speak  to  the  boys  to  be  watchful,  sir,"  he  said,  in  an 
undertone,  to  Duncan  ;  "  and  to  look  well  to  their  flints  and 
steel,  for  one  is  never  safe  with  a  servant  of  these  Louis  ;  at 
the  same  time,  we  will  show  them  the  front  of  men  in  deep 
security.  Ye'll  understand  me,  Major  Heyward  !  " 

He  was  interrupted  by  the  clamor  of  a  drum  from  the 
approaching  Frenchmen,  which  was  immediately  answered, 
when  each  party  pushed  an  orderly  in  advance,  bearing  a 
white  flag,  and  the  wary  Scotsman  halted,  with  his  guard  close 
at  his  back.  As  soon  as  this  slight  salutation  had  passed, 
Montcalm  moved  towards  them  with  a  quick  but  grace- 
ful step,  baring  his  head  to  the  veteran,  and  dropping  his 
spotless  plume  nearly  to  the  earth  in  courtesy.  If  the  ail 
of  Munro  was  more  commanding  and  manly,  it  wanted  both 
the  ease  and  insinuating  polish  of  that  of  the  Frenchman. 
Neither  spoke  for  a  few  moments,  each  regarding  the  other 
with  curious  and  interested  eyes.  Then,  as  became  his  supe- 
rior rank  and  the  nature  of  the  interview,  Montcalm  broke 
:!>**  silence.  After  uttering  the  usual  words  of  greeting,  he 
mrned  to  Duncan,  and  continued,  with  a  smile  of  recognition, 
speaking  always  in  French. — 

"  I  am  rejoiced,  monsieur,  that  you  have  given  us  the 
pleasure  of  your  company  on  this  occasion.  There  will  be 
no  necessity  to  employ  an  ordinary  interpreter;  for,  in  your 
hands,  I  feel  the  same  security  as  if  I  spoke  your  language 
myself." 

Duncan  acknowledged  the  compliment,  when  Montcalm, 
turning  to  his  guard,  which,  in  imitation  of  that  of  their  en* 
emies,  pressed  close  upon  him,  continued, — 

"En  arriere,  mes  enfans — il  fait  chaud;  retirez-vous  un 
peu." 

Before  Major  Heyward  would  imitate  his  proof  of  confi- 
dence, he  glanced  his  eyes  around  the  plain,  and  beheld  with 
uneasiness  the  numerous  dusky  groups  of  savages,  who  looked 
out  from  the  margin  of  the  surrounding  woods,  curious  specta- 
tors of  the  interview. 

*  Monsieur  de  Montcalm  will  readily  acknowledge  the 
difference  in  our  situation,"  he  said,  with  some  embarrass- 
ment, pointing  at  the  same  time  towards  those  dangerous 
foes,  who  were  to  be  seen  in  almost  every  direction.  "  Were 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


'65 


we  to  dismiss  our  guard,  we  should  stand  here  at  the  mercy  of 
our  enemies." 

"  Monsieur,  you  have  the  plighted  faith  of  '  un  gentilhomme 
Fran9ais,'  for  your  safety,"  returned  Montcalm,  laying  his 
hand  impressively  on  his  heart ; ."  it  should  suffice." 

"  It  shall.  Fall  back,"  Duncan  added  to  the  officer  who 
led  the  escort ;  "  fall  back,  sir,  beyond  hearing,  and  wait  foi 
orders." 

Munro  witnessed  this  movement  with  manifest  uneasiness  \ 
nor  did  he  fail  to  demand  an  instant  explanation. 

"  Is  it  not  our  interest,  sir,  to  betray  no  distrust  ?  "  retorted 
Duncan.  "  Monsieur  de  Montcalm  pledges  his  word  for  our 
safety,  and  I  have  ordered  the  men  to  withdraw  a  little,  in 
order  to  prove  how  much  we  depend  on  his  assurance." 

"  It  may  be  all  right,  sir,  but  I  have  no  overweening  reli- 
ance on  the  faith  of  these  marquesses,  or  marquis,  as  they  call 
themselves.  Their  patents  of  nobility  are  too  common  to  be 
certain  that  they  bear  the  seal  of  true  honor." 

"  You  forget,  dear  sir,  that  we  confer  with  an  officer,  dis- 
tinguished alike  in  Europe  and  America  for  his  deeds.  From 
a  soldier  of  his  reputation  we  can  have  nothing  to  appre- 
hend." 

The  old  man  made  a  gesture  of  resignation,  though  his 
rigid  features  still  betrayed  his  obstinate  adherence  to  a  dis- 
trust, which  he  derived  from  a  sort  of  hereditary  contempt  of 
his  enemy,  rather  than  from  any  present  signs  which  might 
warrant  so  uncharitable  a  feeling.  Montcalm  waited  patiently 
until  this  little  dialogue  in  demi-voice  was  ended,  when  he 
drew  nigher,  and  opened  the  subject  of  their  conference. 

"  I  have  solicited  this  interview  from  your  superior,  mon- 
sieur," he  said,  "  because  I  believe  he  will  allow  himself  to 
be  persuaded,  that  he  has  already  done  everything  which  is 
necessary  for  the  honor  of  his  prince,  and  will  now  listen  to 
the  admonitions  of  humanity.  I  will  forever  bear  testimony 
that  his  resistance  has  been  gallant,  and  was  continued  as 
long  as  there  was  hope." 

When  this  opening  was  translated  to  Munro,  he  answered 
with  dignity,  but  with  sufficient  courtesy, — 

"  However  I  may  prize  such  testimony  from  Monsieuj 
Montcalm,  it  will  be  more  valuable  when  it  shall  be  bettei 
merited." 

The  French  general  smiled,  as  Duncan  gave  him  the  pur 
port  of  this  reply,  and  observed — 

"  What  is  now  so  freely  accorded  to  approved  courage,  may 


!66  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

be  refused  to  useless  obstinacy.  Monsieur  would  wish  to  see 
my  camp,  and  witness  for  himself  our  numbers,  and  the  im* 
possibility  of  his  resisting  them  with  success  ?  " 

"  I  know  that  the  king  of  France  is  well  served,"  returned 
the  unmoved  Scotsman,  as  soon  as  Duncan  ended  his  trans- 
lation ;  "  but  my  own  royal  master  has  as  many  and  as  faith- 
ful troops." 

"  Though  not  at  hand,  fortunately  for  us,"  said  Montcalm, 
without  waiting,  in  his  raclor,  for  the  interpreter.  "  There  is 
a  destiny  in  war,  to  which  a  brave  man  knows  how  to  submit 
with  the  same  courage  that  he  faces  his  foes." 

"  Had  I  been  conscious  that  Monsieur  Montcalm  was 
master  of  the  English,  I  should  have  spared  myself  the 
trouble  of  so  awkward  a  translation,"  said  the  vexed  Duncan, 
dryly  ;  remembering  instantly  his  recent  by-plav  with  Munro. 

"Your  pardon,  monsieur,"  rejoined  the  Fienchman,  suffer- 
ing a  slight  color  to  appear  on  his  dark  cheek.  "  There  is  a 
vast  difference  between  understanding  and  speaking  a  foreign 
tongue  ;  you  will,  therefore,  please  to  assist  me  still."  Then 
after  a  short  pause,  he  added,  "  These  hills  afford  us  every 
opportunity  of  reconnoitring  your  works,  messieurs,  and  I 
am,  possibly,  as  well  acquainted  with  their  weak  conditon  as 
you  can  be  yourselves." 

"  Ask  the  French  general  if  his  glasses  can  reach  to  the 
Hudson,"  said  Munro,  proudly  ;  "  and  if  he  knows  when  and 
where  to  expect  the  army  of  Webb." 

"  Let  General  Webb  be  his  own  interpreter,"  returned  the 
politic  Montcalm,  suddenly  extending  an  open  letter  towards 
Munro  as  he  spoke.  "  You  will  there  learn,  monsieur,  that 
his  movements  are  not  likely  to  prove  embarrassing  to  my 
army." 

The  veteran  seized  the  offered  paper,  without  waiting  for 
Duncan  to  translate  the  speech,  and  with  an  eagerness  that 
betrayed  how  important  he  deemed  its  contents.  As  his  eye 
passed  hastily  over  the  words,  his  countenance  changed  from 
its  look  of  military  pride  to  one  of  deep  chagrin  ;  his  lip  be- 
gan to  quiver,  and,  suffering  the  paper  to  fall  from  his  hand, 
his  head  dropped  upon  his  chest,  like  that  of  a  man  whose 
hopes  were  withered  at  a  single  blow.  Duncan  caught  the 
letter  from  the  ground,  and  without  apology  for  the  liberty  he 
took,  he  read  at  a  glance  its  cruel  purport.  Their  common 
superior,  so  far  from  encouraging  them  to  resist,  advised  a 
speedy  surrender,  urging  in  the  plainest  language  as  a  reason, 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  167 

the  utter  impossibility  of  his  sending  a  single  man  to  their 
rescue. 

"  Here  is  .no  deception  !  "  exclaimed  Duncan,  examining 
the  billet  both  inside  and  out ;  "  this  is  the  signature  of  Webb, 
and  must  be  the  captured  letter." 

"  The  man  has  betrayed  me  !  "  Munro  at  length  bitterly 
exclaimed  :  "  he  has  brought  dishonor  to  the  door  of  one 
where  disgrace  was  never  before  known  to  dwell,  and  shame 
has  he  heaped  heavily  on  my  gray  hairs." 

"  Say  not  so,"  cried  Duncan  ;  "  we  are  yet  masters  of  the 
fort,  and  of  our  honor.  Let  us  then  sell  our  lives  at  such  a 
rate  as  shall  make  our  enemies  believe  the  purchase  too 
dear." 

"  Boy,  I  thank  thee,"  exclaimed  the  old  man,  rousing  him- 
self from  his  stupor ;  "  you  have,  for  once,  reminded  Munro 
of  his  duty.  We  will  go  back,  and  dig  our  graves  behind 
those  ramparts." 

"  Messieurs,"  said  Montcalm,  advancing  towards  them  a 
step,  in  generous  interest,  "you  little  know  Louis  de  St. 
Veran.  if  you  believe  him  capable  of  profiting  by  this  letter  to 
humble  brave  men,  or  to  build  up  a  dishonest  reputation  for 
himself.  Listen  to  my  terms  before  you  leave  me." 

"  What  says  the  'Frenchman  ? "  demanded  the  veteran, 
sternly  ;  "  does  he  make  a  merit  of  having  captured  a  scout, 
with  a  note  from  head-quarters  ?  Sir,  he  had  better  raise  this 
siege,  to  go  and  sit  down  before  Edward  if  he  wishes  to 
frighten  his  enemy  with  words." 

Duncan  explained  the  other's  meaning. 

"  Monsieur  de  Montcalm,  we  will  hear  you,"  the  veteran 
added,  more  calmly,  as  Duncan  ended. 

"To  retain  the  fort  is  now  impossible,"  said  his  liberal 
enemy ;  "  it  is  necessary  to  the  interests  of  my  master  that  it 
should  be  destroyed  ;  but,  as  for  yourselves,  and  your  brave 
comrades,  there  is  no  privilege  dear  to  a  soldier  that  shall 
be  denied." 

"  Our  colors?  "  demanded  Heyward. 

"  Carry  them  to  England,  and  show  them  to  your  king." 

"  Our  arms  ?  " 

"  Keep  them  ;  none  can  use  them  better." 

"  Our  march  ;  the  surrender  of  the  place  ?  " 

"  Shall  all  be  done  in  a  way  most  honorable  to  your- 
selves." 

Duncan  now  turned  to  explain  these  proposals  to  his  com- 
mander, who  heard  him  with  amazement,  and  a  sensibility 


1 68  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

that  was  deeply  touched  by  so  unusual  and  unexpected  gen- 
erosity. 

"  Go  you,  Duncan,"  he  said ;  "go  with  this  marquess,  as 
indeed  marquess  he  should  be  ;  go  to  his  marquee,  and 
arrange  it  all.  I  have  lived  to  see  two  things  in  my  old  age, 
that  never  did  I  expect  to  behold, — an  Englishman  afraid  tc 
support  a  friend,  and  a  Frenchman  too  honest  to  profit  by  his 
advantage." 

So  saying,  the  veteran  again  dropped  his  head  to  his  chest, 
and  returned  slowly  towards  the  fort,  exhibiting,  by  the  de- 
jection of  his  air,  to  the  anxious  garrison,  a  harbinger  of  evil 
tidings. 

From  the  shock  of  this  unexpected  blow  the  haughty  feel- 
ings of  Munro  never  recovered ;  but  from  that  moment  there 
commenced  a  change  in  his  determined  character,  which  ac- 
companied him  to  a  speedy  grave.  Duncan  remained  to 
settle  the  terms  of  the  capitulation.  He  was  seen  to  re-enter 
the  works  during  the  first  watches  of  the  night,  and  immediate- 
ly after  a  private  conference  with  the  commandant,  to  leave 
them  again.  It  was  then  openly  announced,  that  hostilities 
must  cease — Munro  having  signed  a  treaty,  by  which  the 
place  was  to  be  yielded  to  the  enemy,  with  the  morning;  the 
garrison  to  retain  their  arms,  their  colors,  and  their  baggage, 
and  consequently,  according  to  military  opinion,  their  honor. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Weave  we  the  woof.  The  thread  is  spun. 
The  web  is  wove.  The  work  is  done. 

GRAY. 

THE  hostile  armies,  which  lay  in  the  wilds  of  the  Horican, 
passed  the  night  of  the  ninth  of  August,  1757,  much  in  the 
manner  they  would  had  they  encountered  on  the  fairest  field 
of  Europe.  While,  the  conquered  were  still,  sullen,  and  de- 
jected, the  victors  triumphed.  But  there  are  limits  alike  to 
grief  and  joy ;  and  long  before  the  watches  of  the  morning 
came,  the  stillness  of  those  boundless  woods  was  only  broken 
by  a  gay  call  from  some  exulting  young  Frenchman  of  the  ad- 
vanced  pickets,  or  a  menacing  challenge  from  the  fort,  which 
sternly  forbade  the  approach  of  any  hostile  footsteps  before 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  X6g 

the  stipulated  moment.  Even  these  occasional  threatening 
sounds  ceased  to  be  heard  in  that  dull  hour  which  precedes 
the  day,  at  which  period  a  listener  might  have  sought  in  vain 
any  evidence  of  the  presence  of  those  armed  powers  that  then 
slumbered  on  the  shores  of  the  "  holy  lake." 

It  was  during  these  moments  of  deep  silence,  that  the 
canvas  which  concealed  the  entrance  to  a  spacious  marquee 
in  the  French  encampment  was  shoved  aside,  and  a  man 
issued  from  beneath  the  drapery  into  the  open  air.  He  was 
enveloped  in  a  cloak  that  might  have  been  intended  as  a  pro- 
tection from  the  chilling  damps  of  the  woods,  but  which 
served  equally  well  as  a  mantle,  to  conceal  his  person.  He 
was  permitted  to  pass  the  grenadier,  who  watched  over  the 
slumbers  of  the  French  commander,  without  interruption,  the 
man  making  the  usual  salute  which  betokens  military  defer- 
ence, as  the  other  passed  swiftly  through  the  little  city  of 
tents,  in  the  direction  of  William  Henry.  Whenever  this  un- 
known individual  encountered  one  of  the  numberless  sentinels 
who  crossed  his  path,  his  answer  was  prompt  and,  as  it  ap- 
peared, satisfactory ;  for  he  was  uniformly  allowed  to  proceed, 
without  further  interrogation. 

With  the  exception  of  such  repeated,  but  brief  inter- 
ruptions, he  had  moved,  silently,  from  the  centre  of  the  camp, 
to  its  most  advanced  outposts,  when  he  drew  nigh  the  soldier 
who  held  his  watch  nearest  to  the  works  of  the  enemy.  As 
he  approached  he  was  received  with  the  usual  challenge, — 

"  Qui  vive  ?  " 

"  France,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Le  mot  d'ordre  ?  " 

"  La  victoire,"  said  the  other,  drawing  so  nigh  as  to  be 
heard  in  a  loud  whisper. 

"  C'est  bien,"  returned  the  sentinel,  throwing  his  musket 
from  the  charge  to  his  shoulder  ;  "  vous  vous  promenez  bien 
matin,  monsieur !  " 

"  II  est  necessaire  d'etre  vigilant,  mon  enfant,"  the  other 
observed,  dropping  a  fold  of  his  cloak,  and  looking  the  soldier 
close  in  the  face,  as  he  passed  him,  still  continuing  his  way 
towards  the  British  fortification.  The  man  started  ;  his  arms 
rattled  heavily,  as  he  threw  them  forward,  in  the  lowest  and 
most  respectful  salute ;  and  when  he  had  again  recovered  his 
piece,  he  turned  to  walk  his  post,  muttering  between  his 
teeth — 

"  II  faut  etre  vigilant,  en  ve'rite  !  je  crois  que  nous  avons 
14,  un  caporal  qui  ne  dort  jamais ! " 


I7o  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

The  officer  proceeded,  without  affecting  to  hear  the  word* 
which  escaped  the  sentinel  in  his  surprise  ;  nor  did  he  again 
pause  until  he  had  reached  the  low  strand,  and  in  a  somewhat 
dangerous  vicinity  to  the  western  water  bastion  of  the  fort. 
The  light  of  an.  obscure  moon  was  just  sufficient  to  render 
objects,  though  dim,  perceptible  in  their  outlines.  He,  there 
fore,  took  the  precaution  to  place  himself  against  the  trunk 
of  a  tree,  where  he  leaned  for  many  minutes,  and  seemed  to 
contemplate  the  dark  and  silent  mounds  of  the  English  works 
in  profound  attention.  His  gaze  at  the  ramparts  was  not 
that  of  a  curious  or  idle  spectator  ;  but  his  looks  wandered 
from  point  to  point,  denoting  his  knowledge  of  military  usages, 
and  betraying  that  his  search  was  not  unaccompanied  by  dis- 
trust. At  length  he  appeared  satisfied  ;  and  having  cast  his 
eyes  impatiently  upward  towards  the  summit  of  the  eastern 
mountain,  as  if  anticipating  the  approach  of  the  morning,  he 
was  in  the  act  of  turning  on  his  footsteps,  when  a  light  sound 
on  the  nearest  angle  of  the  bastion  caught  his  ear  and  induced 
him  to  remain. 

Just  then  a  figure  was  seen  to  approach  the  edge  of  the 
rampart,  where  it  stood,  apparently  contemplating  in  its  turn 
the  distant  tents  of  the  French  encampment.  Its  head  was 
then  turned  towards  the  east,  as  though  equally  anxious  for 
the  appearance  of  light,  when  the  form  leaned  against  the 
mound,  and  seemed  to  gaze  upon  the  glassy  expanse  of  the 
waters,  which,  like  a  submarine  firmament,  glittered  with  its 
thousand  mimic  stars.  The  melancholy  air,  the  hour,  together 
with  the  vast  frame  of  the  man  who  thus  leaned,  in  musing, 
against  the  English  ramparts,  left  no  doubt  as  to  his  person, 
in  the  mind  of  the  observant  spectator.  Delicacy,  no  less 
than  prudence,  now  urged  him  to  retire ;  and  he  had  moved 
cautiously  round  the  body  of  the  tree  for  that  purpose,  when 
another  sound  drew  his  attention,  and  once  more  arrested 
his  footsteps.  It  was  a  low,  and  almost  inaudible  movement 
of  the  water,  and  was  succeeded  by  a  grating  of  pebbles  one 
against  the  other.  In  a  moment  he  saw  a  dark  form  rise,  as 
it  were  out  of  the  lake,  and  steal  without  further  noise  to  the 
land,  within  a  few  feet  of  the  place  where  he  himself  stood. 
A  rifle  next  slowly  rose  between  his  eyes  and  the  watery 
mirror  ;  but  before  it  could  be  discharged  his  own  hand  was 
on  the  lock. 

"  Hugh  !  "  exclaimed  the  savage,  whose  treacherous  aim 
was  so  singularly  and  so  unexpectedly  interrupted. 

Without  making  any  reply,  the  French  officer  laid  his 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  I7l 

on  the  shoulder  of  the  Indian,  and  led  him  in  profound 
silence  to  a  distance  from  the  spot,  where  their  subsequent 
dialogue  might  have  proved  dangerous  and  where  it  seemed 
that  one  of  them,  at  least,  sought  a  victim.  Then,  throwing 
open  his  cloak,  so  as  to  expose  his  uniform  and  the  cross 
of  St.  Louis  which  was  suspended  at  his  breast,  Mont* 
calm  sternly  demanded, — 

"  What  means  this !  does  not  my  son  know  that  the 
hatchet  is  buried  between  the  English  and  his  Canadian 
Father  ?  " 

"  What  can  the  Hurons  do  ?  "  returned  the  savage,  speaking 
also,  though  imperfectly,  in  the  French  language.  "  Not  a 
warrior  has  a  scalp,  and  the  pale  faces  make  friends !  " 

"  Ha !  Le  Renard  Subtil  !  Methinks  this  is  an  excess  of 
zeal  for  a  friend  who  was  so  late  an  enemy  ?  How  many  suns 
have  set  since  Le  Renard  struck  the  war  post  of  the  English  ? " 

"  Where  is  that  sun  ? "  demanded  the  sullen  savage 
"  Behind  the  hill  ;  and  it  is  dark  and  cold.  Birt  when  he 
comes  again,  it  will  be  bright  and  warm.  Le  Subtil  is  the  sun 
of  his  tribe.  There  have  been  clouds,  and  many  mountains 
between  him  and  his  nation  ;  but  now  he  shines,  and  it  is  a 
clear  sky  ! " 

"  That  Le  Renard  has  power  with  his  people,  I  well 
know,"  said  Montcalm;  "for  yesterday  he  hunted  for  their 
scalps,  and  to-day  they  hear  him  at  the  council  fire." 

"  Magua  is  a  great  chief." 

"  Let  him  prove  it,  by  teaching  his  nation  how  to  conduct 
towards  our  new  friends." 

"  Why  did  the  chief  of  the  Canadas  bring  his  young  men 
into  the  woods,  and  fire  his  cannon  at  the  earthen  house  ?  " 
demanded  the  subtle  Indian. 

"  To  subdue  it.  My  master  owns  the  land,  and  your 
father  was  ordered  to  drive  off  these  English  squatters.  They 
have  consented  to  go,  and  now  he  calls  them  enemies  no 
longer." 

"  'Tis  well.  Magua  took  the  hatchet  to  color  it  with  blood. 
It  is  now  bright ;  when  it  is  red,  it  shall  be  buried. " 

"  But  Magua  is  pledged  not  to  sully  the  lilies  of  France. 
The  enemies  of  the  great  king  across  the  salt  lake  are  his 
enemies  :  his  friends,  the  friends  of  the  Hurons." 

"  Friends ! "  repeated  the  Indian,  in  scorn.  "  Let  his 
father  give  Magua  a  hand." 

Montcalm,  who  felt  that  his  influence  over  the  warlike 
tribes  he  had  gathered  was  to  be  maintained  by  concession 


172  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICAN'S. 

rather  than  by  power,  complied  reluctantly  with  the  other's 
request.  The  savage  placed  the  finger  of  the  French  com- 
mander on  a  deep  scar  on  his  bosom,  and  then  exultingly  de- 
manded,— 

"  Does  my  father  know  that  ?  " 

"  What  warrior  does  not  ?  'tis  where  a  leaden  bullet  has 
cut." 

"  And  this  ?  "  continued  the  Indian,  who  had  turned  his 
naked  back  to  the  other,  his  body  being  without  its  usual 
calico  mantle. 

"  This,  my  son,  has  been  sadly  injured,  here ;  who  ha» 
done  this  ? " 

"  Magua  slept  hard  in  the  English  wigwams,  and  the 
sticks  have  left  their  mark,"  returned  the  savage  with  a  hoi 
low  laugh,  which  did  not  conceal  the  fierce  temper  that  nearly 
choked  him.  Then  recollecting  himself,  with  sudden  and 
native  dignity,  he  added — "  Go ;  teach  your  young  men  it  is 
peace.  Le  Renard  Subtil  knows  how  to  speak  to  a  Huron 
warrior." 

Without  deigning  to  bestow  further  words,  or  to  wait  for 
any  answer,  the  savage  cast  his  rifle  into  the  hollow  of  his 
arm,  and  moved  silently  through  the  encampment  towards 
the  woods  where  his  own  tribe  was  known  to  lie.  Every  few 
yards  as  he  proceeded  he  was  challenged  by  the  sentinels  ; 
but  he  stalked  sullenly  onward,  utterly  disregarding  the  sum- 
mons of  the  soldiers,  who  only  spared  his  life  because  they 
knew  the  air  and  tread  no  less  than  the  obstinate  daring  of 
an  Indian. 

Montcalm  lingered  long  and  melancholy  on  the  strand 
where  he  had  been  left  by  his  companion,  brooding  deeply  on 
the  temper  which  his  ungovernable  ally  had  just  discovered. 
Already  had  his  fair  fame  been  tarnished  by  one  horrid  scene, 
and  in  circumstances  fearfully  resembling  those  under  which 
he  now  found  himself.  As  he  mused  he  became  keenly  sen- 
sible of  the  deep  responsibility  they  assume,  who  disregard 
the  means  to  attain  their  end,  and  of  all  the  danger  of  setting 
in  motion  an  engine  which  it  exceeds  human  power  to  control. 
Then  shaking  off  a  train  of  reflections,  that  he  accounted  a 
weakness  in  such  a  moment  of  triumph^,  he  retraced  his  steps 
towards  his  tent,  giving  the  order  as  he  passed,  to  make  the 
signal  that  should  arouse  the  army  from  its  slumbers. 

The  first  tap  of  the  French  drums  was  echoed  from  the 
bosom  of  the  fort,  and  presently  the  valley  was  filled  with  the 
strains  of  martial  music,  rising  long,  thrilling,  and  lively  abova 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  173 

the  rattling  accompaniment.  The  horns  of  the  victors  sounded 
merry  and  cheerful  flourishes,  until  the  last  laggard  of  the 
camp  was  at  his  post ;  but  the  instant  the  British  fifes  had 
blown  their  shrill  signal,  they  became  mute.  In  the  mean- 
time the  day  had  dawned,  and  when  the  line  of  the  French 
army  was  ready  to  receive  its  general  the  rays  of  a  brilliant 
sun  were  glancing  along  the  glittering  array.  Then  that 
success,  which  was  already  so  well  known,  was  officially  an- 
nounced ;  the  favored  band  who  were  selected  to  guard  the 
gates  of  the  fort  were  detailed,  and  defiled  before  their  chief  • 
the  signal  of  their  approach  was  given,  and  all  the  usual  prep- 
arations for  a  change  of  masters  were  ordered  and  executed 
directly  under  the  guns  of  the  contested  works. 

A  very  different  scene  presented  itself  within  the  lines  of 
the  Anglo-American  army.  As  soon  as  the  warning  signal 
was  given,  it  exhibited  all  the  signs  of  a  hurried  and  forced 
departure.  The  sullen  soldiers  shouldered  their  empty  tubes 
and  fell  into  their  places,  like  men  whose  blood  had  been 
heated  by  the  past  contest,  and  who  only  desired  the  oppor- 
tunity to  revenge  an  indignity  which  was  still  wounding  to 
their  pride,  concealed  as  it  was  under  all  the  observances  of 
military  etiquette.  Women  and  children  ran  from  place  to 
place,  some  bearing  the  scanty  remants  of  their  baggage,  and 
others  searching  in  the  ranks  for  those  countenances  they 
looked  up  to  for  protection. 

Munro  appeared  among  his  silent  troops  firm  but  dejected. 
It  was  evident  that  the  unexpected  blow  had  struck  deep  into 
his  heart,  though  he  struggled  to  sustain  his  misfortune  with 
the  port  of  a  man. 

Duncan  was  touched  at  the  quiet  and  impressive  exhibi- 
tion of  his  grief.  He  had  discharged  his  own  duty,  and  he 
now  pressed  to  the  side  of  the  old  man,  to  know  in  what 
particular  he  might  serve  him. 

"  My  daughters,"  was  the  brief  but  expressive  reply. 

"  Good  heavens  !  are  not  arrangements  already  made  for 
their  convenience  ?  " 

"  To-day  I  am  only  a  soldier,  Major  Heyward,"  said  the 
veteran.  "  All  that  you  see  here,  claim  alike  to  be  my  chil- 
dren." 

Duncan  had  heard  enough.  Without  losing  one  of  those 
moments  which  had  now  become  so  precious,  he  flew  towards 
the  quarters  of  Munro,  in  quest  of  the  sisters.  He  found 
them  on  the  threshold  of  the  low  edifice,  already  prepared  to 
depart,  and  surrounded  by  a  clamorous  and  weeping  assem- 


1^4  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

blage  of  their  own  sex,  that  had  gathered  about  the  place,  vitn 
a  sort  of  instinctive  consciousness  that  it  was  the  point  most 
likely  to  be  protected.  Though  the  cheeks  of  Cora  were  pale, 
and  her  countenance  anxious,  she  had  lost  none  of  her  firm- 
ness ;  but  the  eyes  of  Alice  were  inflamed,  and  betrayed  how 
long  and  bitterly  she  had  wept.  They  both,  however  received 
the  young  man  with  undisguised  pleasure ;  the  former,  for  a 
novelty,  being  the  first  to  speak. 

"  The  fort  is  lost,"  she  said,  with  a  melancholy  smile  ; 
"  though  our  good  name,  I  trust,  remains." 

"  '  Tis  brighter  than  ever.  But,  dearest  Miss  Munro,  it  is 
time  to  think  less  of  others,  and  to  make  some  provision  for 
yourself.  Military  usage — pride — that  pride  on  which  you  so 
much  value  yourself,  demands  that  your  father  and  I  should 
for  a  little  while  continue  with  the  troops.  Then  where  to 
seek  a  proper  protector  for  you  against  the  confusion  and 
chances  of  such  a  scene  ? " 

"  None  is  necessary,"  returned  Cora  ;  "  who  will  dare  to 
injure  or  insult  the  daughter  of  such  a  father,  at  a  time  like 
this  ? " 

"  I  would  not  leave  you  alone,"  continued  the  youth,  look- 
ing about  him  in  a  hurried  manner,  "  for  the  command  of  the 
best  regiment  in  the  pay  of  the  king.  Remember,  our  Alice 
is  not  gifted  with  all  your  firmness,  and  God  only  knows  the 
terror  she  might  endure." 

"  You  may  be  right,"  Cora  replied,  smiling  again,  but  far 
more  sadly  than  before.  "  Listen  ;  chance  has  already  sent 
us  a  friend'  when  he  is  most  needed." 

Duncan  did  listen,  and  on  the  instant  comprehended  her 
meaning.  The  low  and  serious  sounds  of  the  sacred  music, 
so  well  known  to  the  eastern  provinces,  caught  his  ear,  and 
instantly  drew  him  to  an  apartment  in  an  adjacent  building, 
which  had  already  been  deserted  by  its  customary  tenants. 
There  he  found  David,  pouring  out  his  pious  feelings,  through 
the  only  medium  in  which  he  ever  indulged.  Duncan  waited, 
until,  by  the  cessation  of  the  movement  of  the  hand,  he  be- 
lieved the  strain  was  ended,  when,  by  touching  his  shoulder, 
he  drew  the  attention  of  the  other  to  himself,  and  in  a  few 
words  explained  his  wishes. 

'"  Even  so,"  replied  the  single-minded  disciple  of  the  King 
of  Israel,  when  the  young  man  had  ended ;  "  I  have  found 
much  that  is  comely  and  melodious  in  the  maidens,  and  it  is 
fitting  that  we  who  have  consorted  in  so  much  peril,  should 
together  in  peace.  I  will  attend  them,  when  I  have 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  175 

completed  my  morning  praise,  to  which  nothing  is  now  want- 
ing but  the  doxology.  Wilt  thou  bear  a  part,  friend  ?  The 
metre  is  common,  and  the  tune  '  Southwell.'  ' 

Then  extending  the  little  volume,  and  giving  the  pitch  of 
the  air  anew  with  considerate  attention,  David  recommenced 
and  finished  his  strains,  with  a  fixedness  of  manner  that  it 
was  not  easy  to  interrupt.  Heyward  was  fain  to  wait  until 
the  verse  was  ended  ;  when,  seeing  David  relieving  himself 
from  the  spectacles,  and  replacing  the  book,  he  continued, — 

"  It  will  be  your  duty  to  see  that  none  dare  to  approach 
the  ladies  with  any  rude  intention,  or  to  offer  insult  or  taunt 
at  the  misfortune  of  their  brave  father.  In  this  task  you  will 
be  seconded  by  the  domestics  of  their  household." 

"  Even  so." 

"  It  is  possible  that  the  Indians  and  stragglers  of  the 
enemy  may  intrude,  in  which  case  you  will  remind  them  of 
the  terms  of  the  capitulation,  and  threaten  to  report  their 
conduct  to  Montcalm.  A  word  will  suffice." 

"  If  not  I  have  that  here  which  shall,"  returned  David, 
exhibiting  his  book  with  an  air  in  which  meekness  and  confi- 
dence were  singularly  blended.  "  Here  are  words  which, 
uttered,  or  rather  thundered,  with  proper  emphasis,  and  in 
measured  time,  shall  quiet  the  most  unruly  temper  : — 

1  Why  rage  the  heathen  furiously  ^ '  "— 

"  Enough,"  said  Heyward,  interrupting  the  burst  of  his 
musical  invocation  :  "  we  understand  each  other  ;  it  is  time 
that  we  should  now  assume  our  respective  duties." 

Gamut  cheerfully  assented,  and  together  they  sought  the 
females.  Cora  received  her  new,  and  somewhat  extraordi- 
nary protector,  courteously  at  least ;  and  even  the  pallid  feat- 
ures of  Alice  lighted  again  with  some  of  their  native  archness 
as  she  thanked  Heyward  for  his  care.  Duncan  took  occasion 
to  assure  them  he  had  done  the  best  that  circumstances  per- 
mitted, and,  as  he  believed,  quite  enough  for  the  security  of 
their  feelings ;  of  danger  there  was  none.  He  then  spoke 
gladly  of  his  intention  to  rejoin  them  the  moment  he  had  led 
the  advance  a  few  miles  towards  the  Hudson,  and  immedi- 
ately took  his  leave. 

By  this  time  the  signal  of  departure  had  been  given,  and 
the  head  of  the  English  column  was  in  motion.  The  sisters 
started  at  the  sound,  and  glancing  their  eyes  around,  they 
saw  the  white  uniforms  of  the  French  grenadiers,  who  had 
already  taken  possession  of  the  gates  of  the  fort.  At  that 
moment,  an  enormous  cloud  seemed  to  pass  suddenly  above 


t76  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

their  heads,  and  looking  upward,  they  discovered  that  the$ 
Stood  beneath  the  white  folds  of  the  standard  of  France. 

"  Let  us  go,"  said  Cora  ;  "  this  is  no  longer  a  fit  place  fol 
the  children  of  an  English  officer." 

Alice  clung  to  the  arm  of  her  sister,  and  together  they  left 
the  parade,  accompanied  by  the  moving  throng  that  sur- 
rounded them. 

As  they  passed  the  gates,  the  French  officers,  who  had 
learned  their  rank,  bowed  often  and  low,  forbearing,  however, 
to  intrude  those  attentions,  which  they  saw,  with  peculiar 
tact,  might  not  be  agreeable.  As  every  vehicle  and  each 
beast  of  burden  was  occupied  by  the  sick  and  wounded,  Cora 
had  decided  to  endure  the  fatigues  of  a  foot  march,  rather 
than  interfere  with  their  comforts.  Indeed,  many  a  maimed 
and  feeble  soldier  was  compelled  to  drag  his  exhausted  limbs 
in  the  rear  of  the  columns,  for  the  want  of  the  necessary  means 
of  conveyance,  in  that  wilderness.  The  whole,  however,  was 
in  motion  :  the  weak  and  wounded,  groaning,  and  in  suffering  ; 
their  comrades,  silent  and  sullen  ;  and  the  women  and  children 
in  terror,  they  knew  not  of  what. 

As  the  confused  and  timid  throng  left  the  protecting 
mounds  of  the  fort,  and  issued  on  the  open  plain,  the  whole 
scene  was  at  once  presented  to  their  eyes.  At  a  little  distance 
on  the  right,  and  somewhat  in  the  rear,  the  French  army  stood 
to  their  arms,  Montcalm  having  collected  his  parties,  so  soon 
as  his  guards  had  possession  of  the  works.  They  were  atten- 
tive but  silent  observers  of  the  proceedings  of  the  vanquished, 
failing  in  none  of  their  stipulated  military  honors,  and  offering 
no  taunt  or  insult,  in  their  success,  to  their  less  fortunate 
foes.  Living  masses  of  the  English,  to  the  amount,  in  the 
whole,  of  near  three  thousand,  were  moving  slowly  across  the 
plain,  towards  the  common  centre,  and  gradually  approached 
each  other,  as  they  converged  to  the  point  of  their  march,  a 
vista  cut  through  the  lofty  trees,  where  the  road  to  the  Hudson 
entered  the  forest.  Along  the  sweeping  borders  of  the  woods, 
hung  a  dark  cloud  of  savages,  eyeing  the  passage  of  their 
enemies,  and  hovering  at  a  distance,  like  vultures,  who  were 
only  kept  from  swooping  on  their  prey,  by  the  presence  and 
restraint  of  a  superior  army.  A  few  had  straggled  among 
the  conquered  columns,  where  they  stalked  in  sullen  discon. 
tent ;  attentive,  though,  as  yet,  passive  observers  of  the  mov 
ing  multitude. 

The  advance,  with  Heyward  at  its  head,  had  already 
reached  the  defile,  and  was  slowly  disappearing,  when  the  at- 
tention of  Cora  was  drawn  to  a  collection  o£  stragglers,  by  the 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  177 

sounds  of  contention.  A  truant  provincial  was  paying  the 
forfeit  of  his  disobedience,  by  being  plundered  of  those  very 
effects  which  had  caused  him  to  desert  his  place  in  the  ranks. 
The  man  was  of  powerful  frame,  and  too  avaricious  to  part 
with  his  goods  without  a  struggle.  Individuals  from  either 
party  interfered ;  the  one  side  to  prevent,  and  the  other  to 
aid  in  the  robbery.  Voices  grew  loud  and  angry,  and  a  hun< 
dred  savages  appeared,  as  it  were  by  magic,  where  a  dozen 
only  had  been  seen  a  minute  before.  It  was  then  that  Cora 
saw  the  form  of  Magua  gliding  among  his  countrymen,  and 
speaking  with  his  fatal  and  artful  eloquence.  The  mass  of 
women  and  children  stopped,  and  hovered  together  like 
alarmed  and  fluttering  birds.  But  the  cupidity  of  the  Indian 
was  soon  gratified,  and  the  different  bodies  again  moved 
slowly  onward. 

The  savages  now  fell  back,  and  seemed  content  to  let  their 
enemies  advance  without  further  molestation.  But  as  the 
female  crowd  approached  them,  the  gaudy  colors  of  a  shawl 
attracted  the  eyes  of  a  wild  and  untutored  Huron.  He  ad- 
vanced to  seize  it,  without  the  least  hesitation.  The  woman, 
more  in  terror  than  through  love  of  the  ornament,  wrapped 
her  child  in  the  coveted  article,  and  folded  both  more  closely 
to  her  bosom.  Cora  was  in  the  act  of  speaking,  with  an  in- 
tent to  advise  the  woman  to  abandon  the  trifle,  when  the 
savage  relinquished  his  hold  of  the  shawl,  and  tore  the  scream- 
ing infant  from  her  arms.  Abandoning  everything  to  the 
greedy  grasp  of  those  around  her,  the  mother  darted,  with 
distraction  in  her  mien,  to  reclaim  her  child.  The  Indian 
smiled  grimly,  and  extended  one  hand,  in  sign  of  a  willing- 
ness to  exchange,  while  with  the  other,  he  flourished  the  baSe 
over  his  head,  holding  it  by  the  feet  as  if  to  enhance  the  valus 
of  the  ransom. 

"  Here — here — there — all — any — everything  ! "  exclaimed 
the  breathless  woman  ;  tearing  the  lighter  articles  of  dress 
from  her  person,  with  ill-directed  and  trembling  fingers, — 
'*  take  all,  but  give  me  my  babe.' 

"  The  savage  spurned  the  worthless  rags  and  perceiving 
that  the  shawl  had  already  become  a  prize  to  another,  his 
bantering  but  sullen  smile  changing  to  a  gleam  of  ferocity,  he 
dashed  the  head  of  the  infant  against  a  rock,  and  cast  its 
quivering  remains  to  her  very  feet.  For  an  instant,  the 
mother  stood,  like  a  statue  of  despair,  looking  wildly  down  at 
the  unseemly  object,  which  had  so  lately  nestled  in  her  bosom 
and  smiled  in  her  face ;  and  then  she  raised  her  eyes  and 

!3 


1 78  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

countenance  towards  heaven,  as  if  calling  on  God  to  curse  the. 
perpetrator  of  the  foul  deed.  She  was  spared  the  sin  of  such 
a  prayer  ;  for,  maddened  at  his  disappointment,  and  excited 
at  the  sight  of  blood,  the  Huron  mercifully  drove  his  toma- 
hawk into  her  own  brain.  The  mother  sank  under  the  blow, 
and  fell,  grasping  at  her  child,  in  death,  with  the  same  en- 
grossing love  that  had  caused  her  to  cherish  it  when  living. 

At  that  dangerous  moment,  Magua,  placed  his  hands  to 
his  mouth,  and  raised  the  fatal  and  appalling  whoop.  The 
scattered  Indians  started  at  the  well  known  cry,  as  coursers 
bound  at  the  signal  to  quit  the  goal  ;  and,  directly,  there  arose 
such  a  yell  along  the  plain,  and  through  the  arches  of  the 
wood,  as  seldom  burst  from  human  lips  before.  They  who 
heard  it,  listened  with  a  curdling  horror  at  the  heart,  little 
inferior  to  that  dread  which  may  be  expected  to  attend  the 
blasts  of  the  final  summons. 

More  than  two  thousand  raving  savages  broke  from  the 
forest  at  the  signal,  and  threw  themselves  across  the  fatal 
plain  with  instinctive  alacrity.  We  shall  not  dwell  on  the 
revolting  horrors  that  succeeded.  Death  was  everywhere, 
and  in  his  most  terrific  and  disgusting  aspects.  Resistance 
only  served  to  inflame  the  murderers,  who  inflicted  their 
furious  blows  long  after  their  victims  were  beyond  the  power 
of  their  resentment.  The  flow  of  blood  might  be  likened  to 
the  outbreaking  of  a  torrent,  and  as  the  natives  became  heated 
and  maddened  by  the  sight,  many  among  them  even  kneeled 
to  the  earth,  and  drank  freely,  exultingly,  hellishly,  of  the 
crimson  tide. 

The  trained  bodies  of  the  troops  threw  themselves  quickly 
into  solid  masses,  endeavoring  to  awe  their  assailants  by  the 
imposing  appearance  of  a  military  front.  The  experiment  in 
some  measure  succeeded,  though  far  too  many  suffered  their 
unloaded  muskets  to  be  torn  from  their  hands,  in  the  vain 
hope  of  appeasing  the  savages. 

In  such  a  scene  none  had  leisure  to  note  the  fleeting 
moments.  It  might  have  been  ten  minutes  (it  seemed  an  age), 
that  the  sisters  had  stood  riveted  to  one  spot,  horror-stricken, 
and  nearly  helpless.  When  the  first  blow  was  struck,  their 
screaming  companions  had  pressed  upon  them  in  a  body, 
rendering  flight  impossible  ;  and  now  that  fear  or  death  had 
scattered  most,  if  not  all,  from  around  them,  they  saw  no  avenue 
open,  but  such  as  conducted  to  the  tomahawks  of  their  foes. 
On  every  side  arose  shrieks,  groans,  exhortations,  and  curses. 
At  this  moment,  Alice  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  vast  form  </ 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  179 

her  father,  moving  rapidly  across  the  plain,  in  the  direction  of 
the  French  army.  He  was,  in  truth,  proceeding  to  Montcalm, 
fearless  of  every  danger,  to  claim  the  tardy  escort,  for  which 
he  had  before  conditioned.  Fifty  glittering  axes  and  barbed 
spears  were  offered  unheeded  at  his  life,  but  the  savages 
respected  his  rank  and  calmness,  even  in  their  fury.  The 
dangerous  weapons  were  brushed  aside  by  the  still  nervous 
arm  of  the  veteran,  or  fell  of  themselves,  after  menacing  an 
act  that  it  would  seem  no  one  had  courage  to  perform.  For- 
tunately, the  vindictive  Magua  was  searching  for  his  victim  in 
the  very  band  the  veteran  had  just  quitted. 

"  Father — father — we  are  here  !  "  shrieked  Alice,  as  he 
passed,  at  no  great  distance,  without  appearing  to  heed  them. 
"  Come  to  us,  father,  or  we  die  !  " 

The  cry  was  repeated,  and  in  terms  and  tones  that  might 
have  melted  a  heart  of  stone,  but  it  was  unanswered.  Once, 
indeed,  the  old  man  appeared  to  catch  the  sounds,  for  he 
paused  and  listened  •  but  Alice  had  dropped  senseless  on  the 
earth,  and  Cora  had  sunk  at  her  side,  hovering  in  untiring 
tenderness  over  her  lifeless  form.  Munro  shook  his  head  in 
disappointment,  and  proceeded,  bent  on  the  high  duty  of  his 
station. 

"Lady,"  said  Gamut,  who,  helpless  and  useless  as  he  was, 
had  not  yet  dreamed  of  deserting  his  trust,  "  it  is  the  jubilee 
of  the  devils,  and  this  is  not  a  meet  place  for  Christians  to 
tarry  in.  Let  us  up  and  fly." 

"  Go,"  said  Cora,  still  gazing  at  her  unconscious  sistei  \ 
"  save  thyself.  To  me  thou  canst  not  be  of  further  use." 

David  comprehended  the  unyielding  character  of  her 
resolution,  by  the  simple  but  expressive  gesture  that  accom- 
panied her  words.  He  gazed,  for  a  moment,  at  the  dusky 
forms  that  were  acting  their  hellish  rites  on  every  side  of  him, 
and  his  tall  person  grew  more  erect,  while  his  chest  heaved, 
and  every  feature  swelled,  and  seemed  to  speak  with  the  power 
of  the  feelings  by  which  he  was  governed. 

"  If  the  Jewish  boy  might  tame  the  evil  spirit  ot  Saul  by 
the  sound  of  his  harp,  and  the  words  of  sacred  song,  it  may 
not  be  amiss,"  he  said,  "  to  try  the  potency  of  music  here." 

Then  raising  his  voice  to  its  highest  tones,  he  poured  out 
a  strain  so  powerful  as  to  be  heard  even  amid  the  din  of  that 
bloody  rield.  More  than  one  savage  rushed  towards  them, 
thinking  to  rifle  the  unprotected  sisters  of  their  attire  and  bear 
away  their  scalps  \  but  when  they  found  this  strange  and  un« 
moved  figure  riveted  to  his  post,  they  paused  to  listen.  Aston- 
ishment soon  changed  to  admiration,  and  they  passed  on  to 


l8o  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

other,  and  less  courageous  victims,  openly  expressing  thell 
satisfaction  at  the  firmness  with  which  the  white  warrior  sang 
his  death  song.  Encouraged  and  deluded  by  his  success,  David 
exerted  all  his  powers  to  extend  what  he  believed  so  holy  <m 
influence.  The  unwonted  sounds  caught  the  ears  of  a  distant 
savage,  who  flew  raging  from  group  to  group,  like  one  who, 
scorning  to  touch  the  vulgar  herd,  hunted  for  some  victim  more 
worthy  of  his  renown.  It  was  Magua,  who  -ittered  a  yell  of 
pleasure  when  he  beheld  his  ancient  prisoners  again  at  his 
mercy. 

"  Come,"  he  said,  laying  his  soiled  hands  on  the  dress  of 
Cora,  "  the  wigwam  of  the  Huron  is  brill  open.  Is  it  not 
better  than  this  place  ?  " 

"  Away !  "  cried  Cora,  Ceiling  her  eyes  from  his  revolting 
aspect. 

The  Indian  laughed  tauntingly,  as  he  held  up  his  reeking 
hand,  and  answered,  "  It  is  red,  but  it  comes  from  white 
veins  !  " 

"  Monster  !  there  is  blood,  oceans  of  blood,  upon  thy 
soul :  thy  spirit  has  moved  this  scene/' 

"Magua  is  a  great  chief!  "  returned  the  exulting  savage: 
— "  will  the  dark  hair  go  to  his  tribe  ?  " 

"  Never  !  strike,  if  thou  wilt,  and  complete  thy  revenge." 

He  hesitated  a  moment ;  and  then  catching  the  light  and 
senseless  form  of  Alice  in  his  arms,  the  subtle  Indian  moved 
swiftly  across  the  plain  towards  the  woods. 

"  Hold  !  "  shrieked  Cora,  following  wild  lyon  his  footsteps ; 
"  release  the  child  !  wretch  !  what  is't  you  do  ?  " 

But  Magua  was  deaf  to  her  voice  ;  or,  rather,  he  knew  his 
power,  and  was  determined  to  maintain  it. 

"  Stay — lady — stay,"  called  Gamut,  after  the  unconscious 
Cora.  "  The  holy  charm  is  beginning  to  be  felt,  and  soon 
shall  thou  see  this  horrid  tumult  stilled." 

Perceiving  that,  in  his  turn,  he  was  unheeded,  che  faithful 
David  followed  the  distracted  sister,  raising  his  voice  again  in 
sacred  song,  and  sweeping  the  air  to  the  measure,  with  his 
long  arm,  in  diligent  accompaniment.  In  this  manner  they 
traversed  the  plain,  through  the  flying,  the  wounded  and  the 
dead.  The  fierce  Huron  was,  at  any  time,  sufficient  for  him- 
self and  the  victim  that  he  bore  ;  though  Cora  would  have 
fallen,  more  than  once,  under  the  blows  of  her  savage  ene- 
mies, but  for  the  extraordinary  being  who  stalked  in  her  rear 
and  who  now  appeared  to  the  astonished  native  gifted  with  the 
protecting  spirit  of  madness. 

Magua,  who  knew  how  to  <*void  the  more  pressing  dangera 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  jg, 

and  also  to  elude  pursuit,  entered  the  woods  through  a  low 
ravine,  where  he  quickly  found  the  Narragansetts,  which  the 
travellers  had  abandoned  so  shortly  before,  awaiting  his  ap- 
pearance, in  custody  of  a  savage  as  fierce  and  as  malign  in 
his  expression  as  himself.  Laying  Alice  on  one  of  the  horses, 
he  made  a  sign  to  Cora  to  mount  the  other. 

Notwithstanding  the  horror  excited  by  the  presence  of  her 
captor,  there  was  a  present  relief  in  escaping  from  the  bloody 
scene  enacting  on  the  plain,  to  which  Cora  could  not  be 
altogether  insensible.  She  took  her  seat,  and  held  forth  her 
arms  for  her  sister,  with  an  air  of  entreaty  and  love  that  even 
the  Huron  could  not  deny.  Placing  Alice,  then,  on  the  same 
animal  with  Cora,  he  seized  the  bridle,  and  commenced  his 
route  by  plunging  deeper  into  the  forest.  David,  perceiv- 
ing that  he  was  left  alone,  utterly  disregarded  as  a  subject  too 
worthless  even  to  destroy,  threw  his  long  limb  across  the  sad- 
dle of  the  beast  they  had  deserted,  and  made  such  progress 
in  the  pursuit  as  the  difficulties  of  the  path  permitted. 

They  soon  began  to  ascend  •  but  as  the  motion  had  a  ten- 
dency to  revive  the  dormant  faculties  of  her  sister,  the  atten- 
tion of  Cora  was  too  much  divided  between  the  tenderest 
solicitude  in  her  behalf,  and  in  listening  to  the  cries  which 
were  still  too  audible  on  the  plain,  to  note  the  direction  in 
which  they  journeyed.  When,  however,  they  gained  the  flat- 
tened surface  of  the  mountain-top,  and  approached  the  east- 
ern precipice,  she  recognized  the  spot  to  which  she  had  once 
before  been  led  under  the  more  friendly  auspices  of  the  scout. 
Here  Magua  suffered  them  to  dismount ;  and,  notwithstand- 
ing their  own  captivity  the  curiosity  which  seems  insepara- 
ble from  horror,  induced  them  to  gaze  at  the  sickening  sight 
below. 

The  cruel  work  was  still  unchecked.  On  every  side  the 
captured  were  flying  before  their  relentless  persecutors,  while 
the  armed  columns  of  the  Christian  king  stood  fast  in  an 
apathy  which  has  never  been  explained,  and  which  has  left 
an  immovable  blot  on  the  otherwise  fair  escutcheon  of  their 
leader.  Nor  was  the  sword  of  death  stayed  until  cupidity  got 
the  mastery  of  revenge.  Then,  indeed,  the  shrieks  of  the 
wounded  and  the  yell  of  their  murderers  grew  less  frequent 
until,  finally,  the  cries  of  horror  were  lost  to  their  ear,  or  were 
drowned  in  the  loud,  long,  and  piercing  whoops  of  the  trium- 
phant savages.* 

*  The  accounts  of  the  number  who  fell  in  this  unhappy  affair,  vary  between  five  and 
fifteen  hundred 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Why,  anything ; 

An  honorable  murderer,  if  you  will ; 
For  naught  I  did  in  hate,  but  all  in  honor. 

OTHELLO. 

THE  bloody  and  inhuman  scene,  rather  incidentally  men 
tioned  than  described  in  the  preceding  chapter,  is  conspicu- 
ous in  the  pages  of  colonial  history,  by  the  merited  title  of 
"The  Massacre  of  William  Henry."  Ir  so  far  deepened  the 
stain  which  a  previous  and  very  similar  event  had  left  upon ' 
the  reputation  of  the  French  commander,  that  it  was  not  en- 
tirely erased  by  his  early  and  glorious  death.  It  is  now  be- 
coming obscured  by  time  ;  and  thousands,  who  know  that 
Montcalm  died  like  a  hero  on  the  plains  of  Abraham,  have 
yet  to  learn  how  much  he  was  deficient  in  that  moral  courage 
without  which  no  man  can  be  truly  great.  Pages  might  be 
written  to  prove,  from  this  illustrious  example,  the  defects  of 
human  excellence ;  to  show  how  easy  it  is  for  generous  senti- 
ments, high  courtesy,  and  chivalrous  courage,  to  lose  their  in- 
fluence beneath  their  chilling  blight  of  selfishness,  and  to  ex- 
hibit to  the  world  a  man  who  was  great  in  all  the  minor  attri- 
butes of  character,  but  who  was  found  wanting  when  it  be- 
came necessary  to  prove  how  much  principle  is  superior  to 
policy.  But  the  task  would  exceed  our  prerogatives  ;  and,  as 
history,  like  love,  is  so  apt  to  surround  her  heroes  with  an  at- 
mosphere of  imaginary  brightness,  it  is  probable  that  Louis 
de  Saint  Veran  will  be  viewed  by  posterity  only  as  the  gallant 
defender  of  his  country,  while  his  cruel  apathy  on  the  shores 
of  the  Oswego  and  of  the  Horican  will  be  forgotten.  Deeply 
regretting  this  weakness  on  the  part  of  a  sister  muse,  we  shall 
At  once  retire  from  her  sacred  precincts,  within  the  proper 
limits  of  our  humble  vocation. 

The  third  day  from  the  capture  of  the  fort  was  drawing  to 
a  close,  but  the  business  of  the  narrative  must  still  detain  the 
reader  on  the  shores  of  the  "  holy  lake."  When  last  seen, 
the  environs  of  the  works  were  filled  with  violence  and  uproar 
They  were  now  possessed  by  stillness  and  death.  The  blood 


THE  LAST  OF  TEE  MOHICANS.  183 

stained  conquerors  had  departed  ;  and  their  camp,  which  had 
so  lately  rung  with  the  merry  rejoicings  of  a  victorious  army, 
yay  a  silent  and  deserted  city  of  huts.  The  fortress  was  a 
smouldering  ruin ;  charred  rafters,  fragments  of  exploded 
artillery,  and  rent  mason-work,  covering  its  earthen  mounds 
in  confused  disorder. 

A  frightful  change  had  also  occurred  in  the  season.  The 
sun  had  hid  its  warmth  behind  an  impenetrable  mass  of  vapor, 
and  hundreds  of  human  forms,  which  had  blackened  beneath 
the  fierce  heats  of  August,  were  stiffening  in  their  deformity, 
before  the  blasts  of  a  premature  November.  The  curling  and 
spotless  mists,  which  had  been  seen  sailing  above  the  hills 
towards  the  north,  were  now  returning  in  an  interminable 
dusky  sheet,  that  was  urged  along  by  the  fury  of  a  tempest. 
The  crowded  mirror  of  the  Horican  was  gone  ;  and,  in  its 
place,  the  green  and  angry  waters  lashed  the  shores,  as  if  in- 
dignantly casting  back  its  impurities  to  the  polluted  strand. 
Still  the  clear  fountain  retained  a  portion  of  its  charmed  in- 
fluence, but  it  reflected  only  the  sombre  gloom  that  fell  from 
the  impending  heavens.  That  humid  and  congenial  atmos- 
phere which  commonly  adorned  the  view,  veiling  its  harsh- 
ness, and  softening  its  asperities,  had  disappeared,  and  the 
northern  air  poured  across  the  waste  of  water  so  harsh  and 
unmingled,  that  nothing  was  left  to  be  conjectured  by  the  eye 
or  fashioned  by  the  fancy. 

The  fiercer  element  had  cropped  the  verdure  of  the  plain, 
which  looked  as  though  it  were  scathed  by  the  consuming 
lightning.  But,  here  and  there,  a  dark  green  tuft  rose  in  the 
midst  of  the  desolation  ;  the  earliest  fruits  of  a  soil  that  had 
been  fattened  with  human  blood.  The  whole  landscape, 
which,  seen  by  a  favoring  light,  and  in  a  genial  temperature, 
had  been  found  so  lovely,  appeared  now  like  some  pictured 
allegory  of  life,  in  which  objects  were  arrayed  in  their  harsh- 
est but  truest  colors,  and  without  the  relief  of  any  shadowing. 

The  solitary  and  arid  blades  of  grass  arose  from  the  pass- 
ing gusts  fearfully  perceptible  ;  the  bold  and  rocky  mountains 
were  too  distinct  in  their  barrenness,  and  the  eye  even  sought 
relief  in  vain,  by  attempting  to  pierce  the  illimitable  void  of 
heaven,  which  was  shut  to  its  gaze  by  the  dusky  sheet  of 
ragged  and  driving  vapor. 

The  wind  blew  unequally;  sometimes  sweeping  heavily 
along  the  ground,  seeming  to  whisper  its  meanings  in  the  cold 
ears  of  the  dead,  then,  rising  in  a  shrill  and  mournful  whist- 
ling, it  entered  the  forest  with  a  rush  that  filled  the  air  witj? 


T84  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

the  leaves  and  branches  it  scattered  in  its  path.  Amid  the 
unnatural  shower,  a  few  hungry  ravens  struggled  with  the 
gale  ;  but  no  sooner  was  the  green  ocean  of  woods  which 
stretched  beneath  them,  passed,  than  they  gladly  stopped,  at 
random,  to  their  hideous  banquet. 

In  short,  it  was  a  scene  of  wildness  and  desolation,  and  it 
appeared  as  if  all  who  had  profanely  entered  it  had  been 
stricken,  at  a  blow,  by  the  relentless  arm  of  death.  But  the 
prohibition  had  ceased ;  and,  for  the  first  time  since  the  pei 
petrators  of  those  foul  deeds  which  had  assisted  to  disfigure 
the  scene,  were  gone,  living  human  beings  had  now  presumed 
to  approach  the  place. 

About  an  hour  before  the  setting  of  the  sun,  on  the  day 
already  mentioned,  the  forms  of  five  men  might  have  been 
seen  issuing  from  the  narrow  vista  of  trees,  where  the  path  to 
the  Hudson  entered  the  forest,  and  advancing  in  the  direction 
of  the  ruined  works.  At  first  their  progress  was  slow  and 
guarded,  as  though  they  entered  with  reluctance  amid  the 
horrors  of  the  spot,  or  dreaded  the  renewal  of  its  frightful 
incidents.  A  light  figure  preceded  the  rest  of  the  party,  with 
the  caution  and  activity  of  a  native  ;  ascending  every  hillock 
to  reconnoitre,  and  indicating  by  gestures,  to  hte  companions, 
the  route  he  deemed  it  most  prudent  to  pursue.  Nor  were 
those  in  the  rear  wanting  in  every  caution  and  foresight 
known  to  forest  warfare.  One  among  them — he  also  was  an 
Indian — moved  a  little  on  one  flank,  and  watched  the  margin 
of  the  woods,  with  eyes  long  accustomed  to  read  the  smallest 
sign  of  danger.  The  remaining  three  were  white,  though  clad 
in  vestments  adapted,  both  in  quality  and  color,  to  their 
present  hazardous  pursuit, — that  of  hanging  on  the  skirts  of  a 
retiring  army  in  the  wilderness. 

The  effects  produced  by  the  appalling  sights  that  constantly 
arose  in  their  path  to  the  lake  shore,  were  as  different  as  the 
characters  of  the  respective  individuals  who  composed  the 
party.  The  youth  in  front  threw  serious  but  furtive  glances 
at  the  mangled  victims,  as  he  stepped  lightly  across  the 
plain,  afraid  to  exhibit  his  feelings,  and  yet  too  inexperi- 
enced to  quell  entirely  their  sudden  and  powerful  influ- 
ence. His  red  associate,  however,  was  superior  to  such  a 
weakness.  He  passed  the  groups  of  dead  with  a  steadiness 
of  purpose,  and  an  eye  so  calm,  that  nothing  but  long  and  in- 
veterate practice  could  enable  him  to  maintain.  The  sen- 
dations  produced  in  the  minds  of  even  the  white  men  were 
srfferent,  though  uniformly  sorrowful.  One,  whose  gray  lock* 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  185 

|nd  furrowed  lineaments,  blending  with  a  martial  air  and 
Jread,  betrayed,  in  spite  of  the  disguise  of  a  woodman's  dress, 
S*  man  long  experienced  in  scenes  of  war,  was  not  ashamed  to 
groan  aloud,  whenever  a  spectacle  of  more  than  usual  horror 
came  under  his  view.  The  young  man  at  his  elbow  shud« 
dered,  but  seemed  to  suppress  his  feelings  in  tenderness  to 
his  companion.  Of  them  all,  the  straggler  who  brought  up 
the  rear,  appeared  alone  to  betray  his  reaf  thoughts,  without 
fear  of  observation  or  dread  of  consequences.  He  gazed  at 
the  most  appalling  sight  with  eyes  and  muscles  that  knew  not 
how  to  waver,  but  with  execrations  so  bitter  and  deep  as  to 
denote  how  much  he  denounced  the  crime  of  his  enemies. 

The  readers  will  perceive  at  once,  in  these  respective 
characters,  the  Mohicans,  and  their  white  friend,  the  scout, 
together  with  Munro  and  Heyward.  It  was,  in  truth,  the 
father  in  quest  of  his  children,  attended  by  the  youth  who 
felt  so  deep  a  stake  in  their  happiness,  and  those  brave  and 
trusty  foresters,  who  had  already  proved  their  skill  and  fidelity 
through  the  trying  scenes  related. 

When  Uncas,  who  moved  in  front,  had  reached  the  centre 
of  the  plain,  he  raised  a  cry  that  drew  his  companions  in  a 
body  to  the  spot.  The  young  warrior  had  halted  over  a 
group  of  females  who  lay  in  a  cluster,  a  confused  mass  of 
dead.  Notwithstanding  the  revolting  horror  of  the  exhibi- 
tion, Munro  and  Heyward  flew  towards  the  festering  heap, 
endeavoring,  with  a  love  that  no  unseemliness  could  extin- 
guish, to  discover  whether  any  vestiges  of  those  they  sought 
were  to  be  seen  among  the  tattered  and  many-colored  gar- 
ments. The  father  and  the  lover  found  instant  relief  in  the 
search  ;  though  each  was  condemned  again  to  experience  the 
misery  of  an  uncertainty  that  was  hardly  less  insupportable 
than  the  most  revolting  truth.  They  were  standing,  silent 
and  thoughtful,  around  the  melancholy  pile,  when  the  scout 
approached.  Eying  the  sad  spectacle  with  an  angry  coun- 
tenance, the  sturdy  woodsman,  for  the  first  time  since  his 
entering  the  plain,  spoke  intelligibly  and  aloud, — 

"  I  have  been  on  many  a  shocking-field,  and  have  followed 
a  trail  of  blood  for  weary  miles,"  he  said,  "but  never  have  I 
found  the  hand  of  the  devil  so  plain  as  it  is  here  to  be  seen ! 
Revenge  is  an  Indian  feeling,  and  all  who  know  me  know 
that  there  is  no  cross  in  my  veins  ;  but  this  much  will  I  say, 
— here,  in  the  face  of  heaven,  and  with  the  power  of  the 
Lord  so  manifest  in  this  howling  wilderness, — that  should 
these  Frenchers  ever  trust  themselves  again  within  the  range 


£86  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

of  a  ragged  bullet,  there  is  one  rifle  shall  play  its  part,  so 
long  as  flint  will  fire  or  powder  burn  !  I  leave  the  tomahawk 
and  knife  to  such  as  have  a  natural  gift  to  use  them.  What 
say  you,  Chingachgook,"  he  added  in  Delaware  ;  "  shall  {.he 
Hurons  boast  of  this  to  their  women  when  the  deep  snows 
come  ? " 

A  gleam  of  resentment  flashed  across  the  dark  lineaments 
of  the  Mohican  chief ;  he  loosened  his  knife  in  his  sheath  • 
and  then,  turning  calmly  from  the  sight,  his  countenance 
settled  into  a  repose  as  deep  as  if  he  never  knew  the  instiga 
tion  of  passion. 

"  Montcalm  !  Montcalm !  "  continued  the  deeply  resentful 
and  self-restrained  scout  \  "  they  say  a  time  must  come,  when 
all  the  deeds  done  in  the  flesh  will  be  seen  at  a  single  look ; 
and  that  by  eyes  cleared  from  mortal  infirmities.  Woe  betide 
the  wretch  who  is  born  to  behold  this  plain,  with  the  judg- 
ment hanging  about  his  soul !  Ha — as  I  am  a  man  of  white 
blood,  yonder  lies  a  red-skin,  without  the  hair  of  his  head 
where  nature  rooted  it !  Look  to  him,  Delaware  ;  it  may  be 
one  of  yt)ur  missing  people  ;  and  he  should  have  burial  like  a 
stout  warrior.  I  see  it  in  your  eye,  Sagamore  ;  a  Huron  pays 
for  this,  afore  the  fall  winds  have  blown  away  the  scent  of  the 
blood  ! " 

Chingachgook  approached  the  mutilated  form,  and  turning 
it  over,  he  found  the  distinguished  marks  of  one  of  those  six 
allied  tribes,  or  nations,  as  they  were  called,  who,  while  they 
fought  in  the  English  ranks,  were  so  deadly  hostile  to  his 
own  people.  Spurning  the  loathsome  object  with  his  foot, 
he  turned  from  it  with  the  same  indifference  he  would  have 
quitted  a  brute  carcass.  The  scout  comprehended  the  action, 
and  very  deliberately  pursued  his  own  way,  continuing,  how- 
ever, his  denunciations  against  the  French  commander  in  the 
same  resentful  strain. 

"  Nothing  but  vast  wisdom  and  unlimited  power  should 
dare  to  sweep  off  men  in  multitudes,"  he  added ;  "  for  it  is 
only  the  one  that  can  know  the  necessity  of  the  judgment  j 
and  what  is  there  short  of  the  other  that  can  replace  the 
creatures  of  the  Lord  ?  I  hold  it  a  sin  to  kill  the  second  buck 
afore  the  first  is  eaten,  unless  a  march  in  the  front,  or  an 
ambushment,  be  contemplated.  It  is  a  different  matter  with 
a  few  warriors  in  open  and  rugged  fight,  for  'tis  their  gift  to 
die  with  the  rifle  or  the  tomahawk  in  hand,  according  as  their 
natures  may  happen  to  be  white  or  red.  Uncas,  come  this 
svay,  lad,  and  let  the  ravens  settle  upon  the  Mingo.  I  know. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  187 

;rom  often  seeing  it,  that  they  have  a  craving  for  the  flesh  of 
an  Oneida  ;  and  it  is  as  well  to  let  the  bird  follow  the  gift  of 
its  natural  appetite." 

"  Hugh ! "  exclaimed  the  young  Mohican,  rising  on  the 
extremities  of  his  feet,  and  gazing  intently  in  his  front,  fright- 
ening the  raven  to  some  other  prey,  by  the  sound  and  the 
action. 

"  What  is  it,  boy  ?  "  whispered  the  scout,  lowering  his 
tall  form  into  a  crouching  attitude,  like  a  panther  about  to 
take  his  leap.  "  God  send  it  be  a  tardy  Frencher,  skulking 
for  plunder.  I  do  believe  *  Killdeer '  would  take  an  uncom- 
mon range  to-day ! " 

Uncas,  without  making  any  reply,  bounded  away  from  the 
-spot,  and  in  the  next  instant  he  was  seen  tearing  from  a  bush, 
and  waving  in  triumph,  a  fragment  of  the  green  riding  veil  of 
Cora.  The  movement,  the  exhibition,  and  the  cry,  which 
again  burst  from  the  lips  of  the  young  Mohican,  instantly 
drew  the  whole  party  about  him. 

"  My  child  !  "  said  Munro,  speaking  quick  and  wildly ; 
"  give  me  my  child  !  " 

"  Uncas  will  try,"  was  the  short  and  touching  answer. 

The  simple  but  meaning  assurance  was  lost  on  the  father, 
who  seized  the  piece  of  gauze,  and  crushed  it  in  his  hand, 
while  his  eyes  roamed  fearfully  among  the  bushes,  as  if  he 
equally  dreaded  and  hoped  for  the  secrets  they  might  reveal. 

"  Here  are  no  dead,"  said  Heyward ;  "the  storm  seems 
not  to  have  passed  this  way." 

"  That's  manifest ;  and  clearer  than  the  heavens  above 
our  heads,"  returned  the  undisturbed  scout ;  "  but  either  she 
or  they  that  have  robbed  her,  have  passed  the  bush ;  for  I  re- 
member the  rag  she  wore  to  hide  a  face  that  all  did  love  to 
look  upon.  Uncas,  you  are  right ;  the  dark-hair  has  been 
here,  and  she  has  fled,  like  a  frightened  fawn,  to  the  wood ; 
none  who  could  fly  would  remain  to  be  murdered.  Let  us 
search  for  the  marks  she  left ;  for  to  Indian  eyes,  I  some- 
times think  even  a  humming-bird  leaves  his  trail  in  the  air." 

The  young  Mohican  darted  away  at  the  suggestion,  and 
the  scout  had  hardly  done  speaking,  before  the  former  raised 
a  cry  of  success  from  the  margin  of  the  forest.  On  reaching 
the  spot,  the  anxious  party  perceived  another  portion  of  the 
veil  fluttering  on  the  lower  branch  of  the  beech. 

"Softly,  softly,"  said  the  scout,  extending  his  long  rifle  in 
front  of  the  eager  Heyward  ;  "  we  now  know  our  work,  but 
the  beauty  of  the  trail  must  not  be  deformed.  A  step  too 


iSS  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

soon  may  give  us  hours  of  trouble.  We  have  them  though  $ 
that  much  is  beyond  denial." 

"  Bless  ye,  bless  ye,  worthy  man  !  "  exclaimed  Munro  ? 
"  whither,  then,  have  they  fled,  and  where  are  my  babes  ?  " 

"  The  path  they  have  taken  depends  on  many  chances, 
If  they  have  gone  alone,  they-  are  quite  as  likely  to  move  in  a 
circle  as  straight,  and  they  may  be  within  a  dozen  miles  of  us  t 
but  if  the  Hurons,  or  any  of  the  French  Indians,  have  laid 
hands  on  them,  'tis  probable  they  are  now  near  the  borders 
of  the  Canadas.  But  what  matters  that  ?  "  continued  the  de- 
liberate scout,  observing  the  powerful  anxiety  and  disappoint- 
ment the  listeners  exhibited  ;  "  here  are  the  Mohicans  and  I 
on  one  end  of  the  trail,  and  rely  on  it,  we  find  the  other, 
though  they  should  be  a  hundred  leagues  asunder  !  Gently, 
gently,  Uncas,  you  are  as  impatient  as  a  man  in  the  settle- 
ments ;  you  forget  that  light  feet  leave  but  faint  marks  !  " 

"  Hugh  !  "  exclaimed  Chingachgook,  who  had  been  occu- 
pied in  examining  an  opening  that  had  been  evidently  made 
through  the  low  underbrush  which  skirted  the  forest ;  and  who 
now  stood  erect,  as  he  pointed  downwards,  in  the  attitude  and 
with  the  air  of  a  man  who  beheld  a  disgusting  serpent. 

"  Here  is  the  palpable  impression  of  the  footstep  of  a  man," 
cried  Heyward,  bending  over  the  indicated  spot :  "  he  has 
trod  in  the  margin  of  this  pool,  and  the  mark  cannot  be  mis- 
taken. They  are  captives." 

"  Better  so  than  left  to  starve  in  the  wilderness,"  returned 
the  scout ;  "  and  they  will  leave  a  wider  trail.  I  would  wager 
fifty  beaver  skins  against  as  many  flints,  that  the  Mohicans 
and  I  enter  their  wigwams  within  the  month  !  Stoop  to  it, 
Uncas,  and  try  what  you  can  make  of  the  moccasin  j  for 
moccasin  it  plainly  is,  and  no  shoe." 

The  young  Mohican  bent  over  the  track,  and  removing 
the  scattered  leaves  from  around  the  place,  he  examined  it 
with  much  of  that  sort  of  scrutiny,  that  a  money-dealer,  in 
these  days  of  pecuniary  doubts,  would  bestow  on  a  suspected 
due-bill.  At  length  he  arose  from  his  knees,  satisfied  with 
the  result  of  the  examination. 

"  Well,  boy/'  demanded  the  attentive  scout,  "  what  does  it 
say  ?  can  you  make  anything  of  the  tell-tale  ?  " 

"Le  Renard  Subtil!" 

"  Ha  !  that  rampaging  devil  again  1  there  never  will  be  an 
end  of  his  loping,  till  :  Kill-deer  '  has  said  a  friendly  word  to 
him." 

Heyward  reluctantly  admitted  the  truth  of  this  intelligence, 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  jgg 

and  now  expressed  rather  his  hopes  than  his  doubts  by 
saying, — 

"  One  moccasin  is  so  much  like  another,  it  is  probable 
there  is  some  mistake." 

';  One  moccasin  like  another  !  you  may  as  well  say  that 
one  foot  is  like  another  ;  though  we  all  know  that  some  are 
long,  and  others  short ;  some  broad,  and  others  narrow  ;  some 
with  high,  and  some  with  low  insteps  ;  some  in-toed,  and  some 
out.  One  moccasin  is  no  more  like  another  than  one  book  is 
like  another  ;  though  they  who  can  read  in  one  are  seldom 
able  to  tell  the  marks  of  the  other.  Which  is  all  ordered  for 
the  best,  giving  to  every  man  his  natural  advantages.  Let  me 
get  down  to  it,  Uncas  ;  neither  book  nor  moccasin  is  the 
worse  for  having  two  opinions,  instead  of  one."  The  scout 
stooped  to  the  task,  and  instantly  added,  "  You  are  right,  boy  \ 
here  is  the  patch  we  saw  so  often  in  the  other  chase.  And  the 
fellow  will  drink  when  he  can  get  an  opportunity  :  your  drink- 
ing Indian  always  learns  to  walk  with  a  wider  toe  than  the 
natural  savage,  it  being  the  gift  of  a  drunkard  to  straddle, 
whether  of  white  or  red  skin.  Tis  just  the  length  and  breadth, 
too  !  look  at  it,  Sagamore  :  you  measured  the  prints  more  than 
once,  when  we  hunted  the  varments  from  Glenn's  to  the 
health-springs." 

Chingachgook  comphed  ;  and  after  finishing  his  short  ex- 
amination, he  arose,  and  with  a  quiet  demeanor,  he  merely 
pronounced  the  word, — 

"Magua." 

"  Ay,  'tis  a  settled  thing ;  here  then  have  passed  the  dark- 
hair  and  Magua  " 

"  And  not  Alice  ?  "  demanded  Heyward. 

"  Of  her  we  have  not  yet  seen  the  signs,"  returned  the 
scout,  looking  closely  around  at  the  trees,  the  bushes,  and  the 
ground.  "  What  have  we  there  ?  Uncas,  bring  hither  the 
thing  you  see  dangling  from  yonder  thorn-bush." 

When  the  Indian  had  complied,  the  scout  received  the 
prize,  and  holding  it  on  high,  he  laughed  in  his  silent  but 
heartfelt  manner. 

"  'Tis  the  tooting  we'pon  of  the  singer  !  now  we  shall  have 
a  trail  a  priest  might  travel,"  he  said.  "  Uncas,  look  for  the 
marks  of  a  shoe  that  is  long  enough  to  uphold  six  feet  two 
of  tottering  human  flesh.  I  begin  to  have  some  hopes  of 
the  fellow,  since  he  has  given  up  squalling  to  follow  some 
better  trade." 

"  At  least,  he  has  been  faithful  to  his  trust,"  said  Heyward ; 
**  and  Cora  and  Alice  are  not  without  a  friend." 


19  >  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

"Yes,"  said  Hawk-eye,  dropping  his  rifle,  and  leaning  on  it 
with  an  -air  of  visible  contempt,  "  he  will  do  their  singing  1 
Can  he  slay  a  buck  for  their  dinner  ;  journey  by  the  moss  on  the 
beeches,  or  cut  the  throat  of  a  Huron  ?  If  not,  the  first  cat- 
bird *  he  meets  is  the  cleverest  of  the  two.  Well,  boy,  any 
signs  of  such  a  foundation  ?  " 

"  Here  is  something  like  the  footstep  of  one  who  has  worn 
a  shoe  ;  can  it  be  that  our  friend  ?  " 

"  Touch  the  leaves  lightly,  or  you'll  disconsart  the  forma- 
tion. That  !  that  is  the  print  of  a  foot,  but  'tis  the  dark-hair's  ; 
and  small  it  is,  too,  for  one  of  such  a  noble  height  and  grand 
appearance.  The  singer  would  cover  it  with  his  heel." 

"  Where  !  let  me  look  on  the  footsteps  of  my  child,''  said 
Munro,  shoving  the  bushes  aside,  and  bending  fondly  over 
the  nearly  obliterated  impression.  Though  the  tread,  which 
had  left  the  mark,  had  been  light  and  rapid,  it  was  stilt  plainly 
visible.  The  aged  soldier  examined  it  with  eyes  that  grew 
dim  as  he  gazed  ;  nor  did  he  rise  from  his  stooping  posture 
until  Heyward  saw  that  he  had  watered  the  trace  of  his  daugh- 
ter's passage  with  a  scalding  tear.  Willing  to  divert  a  distress 
which  threatened  each  moment  to  break  through  the  restraint 
of  appearance,  by  giving  the  veteran  something  to  do,  the 
young  man  said  to  the  scout, — 

"  As  we  now  possess  these  infallible  signs,  let  us  commence 
our  march.  A  moment,  at  such  a  time,  will  appear  an  age  to 
the  captives." 

"  It  is  not  the  swiftest  leaping  deer  that  gives  the  longest 
chase,"  returned  Hawk-eye,  without  moving  his  eyes  from 
the  different  marks  that  had  come  under  his  view  ;  "  we  know 
that  the  rampaging  Huron  has  passed — and  the  dark-hair — 
and  the  singer — but  where  is  she  of  the  yellow  locks  and  blue 
e/yes  ?  Though  little,  and  far  from  being  as  bold  as  her  sister, 
she  is  fair  to  the  view,  and  pleasant  in  discourse.  Has  she 
no  friend,  that  none  care  for  her  ?  " 

"  God  forbid  she  should  ever  want  hundreds  !  Are  we 
not  now  in  her  pursuit  ?  for  one,  I  will  never  cease  the  search 
Uli  she  be  found." 

"  In  that  case  we  may  have  to  journey  by  different  paths  \ 


*  The  powers  of  the  American  mocking-bird  are  generally  known.  But  the 
true  mocking-bird  is  not  found  so  far  north  as  the  State  of  New  York,  where  it  has, 
however,  two  substitutes  of  inferior  excellence ;  the  cat-bird,  so  often  named  by  the 
scout,  and  the  bird  vulgarly  called  ground-thresher.  Either  of  these  two  last  birds  is 
Miperior  to  the  nightingale,  or  the  lark,  though,  in  general,  the  American  birds  ar« 
ess  musical  than  those  of  Europe. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MQHICANS. 


191 


for  here  she  has  not  passed,  light  and  little  as  her  footstep 
would  be." 

Heyward  drew  back,  all  his  ardor  to  proceed  seeming  to 
vanish  on  the  instant.  Without  attending  to  this  sudden  change 
in  the  other's  humor,  the  scout,  after  musing  a  moment,  con- 
tinued,— 

"  There  is  no  woman  in  this  wilderness  could  leave  such 
a  print  as  that,  but  the  dark-hair  or  her  sister.  We  know  that 
the  first  has  been  here,  but  where  are  the  signs  of  the  other  ? 
Let  us  push  deeper  on  the  trail,  and  if  nothing  offers,  we  must 
go  back  to  the  plain  and  strike  another  scent.  Move  on,  Un- 
cas,  and  keep  your  eyes  on  the  dried  leaves.  I  will  watch  the 
bushes,  while  your  father  shall  run  with  a  low  nose  to  the 
ground.  Move  on,  friends  ;  the  sun  is  getting  behind  the 
hills." 

"  Is  there  nothing  that  I  can  do  ?  "  demanded  the  anxious 
Heyward. 

"  You  ! "  repeated  the  scout,  who,  with  his  red  friends, 
was  already  advancing  in  the  order  he  had  prescribed  ;  "  yes, 
you  can  keep  in  our  rear,  and  be  careful  not  to  cross  the 
trail." 

Before  they  had  proceeded  many  rods,  the  Indians  stopped, 
and  appeared  to  gaze  at  some  signs  on  the  earth,  with  more 
than  their  usual  keenness.  Both  father  and  son  spoke  quick 
and  loud,  now  looking  at  the  objects  of  their  mutual  admira- 
tion, and  now  regarding  each  other  with  the  most  unequivocal 
pleasure. 

"  They  have  found  the  little  foot  !  "  exclaimed  the  scout, 
moving  forward,  without  attending  further  to  his  own  portion 
of  the  duty.  "  What  have  we  here  ?  An  ambushment  has 
been  planted  in  the  spot !  No,  by  the  truest  rifle  on  the  frontier, 
here  have  been  them  one-sided  horses  again  !  Now  the  whole 
secret  is  out,  and  all  is  plain  as  the  north  star  at  midnight. 
Yes,  here  they  have  mounted.  There  the  beasts  have  been 
bound  to  a  sapling,  in  waiting  ;  and  yonder  runs  the  broad 
path  away  to  the  north,  in  full  sweep  for  the  Canadas." 

"  But  still  there  are  no  signs  of  Alice — of  the  younger  Miss 
Munro," — said  Duncan. 

"  Unless  the  shining  bauble  Uncas  has  just  lifted  from  the 
ground  should  prove  one.  Pass  it  this  way,  lad,  that  we  may 
look  at  it." 

Hey  wood  instantly  knew  it  for  a  trinket  that  Alice  was 
fond  of  wearing,  and  which  he  recollected,  with  the  tenacious 
memory  of  a  lover,  to  have  seen,  on  the  fatal  morning  of  the 


LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

massacre,  dangling  from  the  fair  neck  of  his  mistress.  K^ 
seized  the  highly  prized  jewel ;  and  as  he  proclaimed  the  fact,  it 
vanished  from  the  eyes  of  the  wondering  scout,  who  in  vain 
looked  for  it  on  the  ground,  long  after  it  was  warmly  pressed 
against  the  beating  heart  of  Duncan. 

"  Pshaw  !  "  said  the  disappointed  Hawk-eye,  ceasing  to 
rake  the  leaves  with  the  breech  of  his  rifle  ;  "  'tis  a  certain 
sign  of  age,  when  the  sight  begins  to  weaken.  Such  a  glitter- 
ing gewgaw,  and  not  to  be  seen  !  Well,  well,  I  can  squint 
along  a  clouded  barrel  yet,  and  that  is  enough  to  settle  all 
disputes  between  me  and  the  Mingoes.  I  should  like  to  find 
the  thing,  too,  if  it  were  only  to  carry  it  to  the  right  owner, 
and  that  would  be  bringing  the  two  ends  of  what  I  call  a  long 
trail  together ;  for  by  this  time  the  broad  St.  Lawrence,  or 
perhaps  the  Great  Lakes  themselves,  are  atwixt  us." 

"  So  much  the  more  reason  why  we  should  not  delay  our 
march,"  returned  Heyward  ;  "  let  us  proceed." 

"  Young  blood  and  hot  blood,  they  say,  are  much  the  same 
thing.  We  are  not  about  to  start  on  a  squirrel  hunt,  or  to 
drive  a  deer  into  the  Horican,  but  to  outlie  for  days  and  nights, 
and  to  stretch  across  a  wilderness  where  the  feet  of  men  sel- 
dom go,  and  where  no  bookish  knowledge  would  carry  you 
through  harmless.  An  Indian  never  starts  on  such  an  expe- 
dition without  smoking  over  his  council  fire ;  and  though  a 
man  of  white  blood,  I  honor  their  customs  in  this  particular, 
seeing  that  they  are  deliberate  and  wise.  We  will,  therefore, 
go  back  and  light  our  fire  to-night  in  the  ruins  of  the  old  fort, 
and  in  the  morning  we  shall  be  fresh,  and  ready  to  undertake 
our  work  like  men,  and  not  like  babbling  women  and  eager 
boys." 

Heyward  saw,  by  the  manner  of  the  scout,  that  altercation 
would  be  useless.  Munro  had  again  sunk  into  that  sort  of 
apathy  which  had  beset  him  since  his  late  overwhelming  mis- 
fortunes, and  from  which  he  was  apparently  to  be  roused  only 
by  some  new  and  powerful  excitment.  Making  a  merit  of 
necessity,  the  young  man  took  the  veteran  by  the  arm,  and 
followed  in  the  footsteps  of  the  Indians  and  the  scout,  who  had 
already  begun  to  retrace  the  path  which  conducted  them  to 
the  plain. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

.alar.    Why,  I  am  sure,  if  he  forfeit,  thou  wilt  not  take  his  flesh?  What's  thai 
good  for  ? 

Sfry.    To  bait  fish  withal :  if  it  will  feed  nothing  else,  it  will  feed  my  revenge. 

SHAKESPEARE. 

THE  shades  of  evening  had  come  to  increase  the  dreari- 
ness of  the  place,  when  the  party  entered  the  ruins  of  William 
Henry.  The  scout  and  his  companions  immediately  made 
their  preparations  to  pass  the  night  there ;  but  with  an 
earnestness  and  sobriety  of  demeanor  that  betrayed  how  much 
the  unusual  horrors  they  had  just  witnessed  worked  on  even 
their  practised  feelings.  A  few  fragments  of  rafters  were 
reared  against  a  blackened  wall ;  and  when  Uncas  had  covered 
them  slightly  with  brush,  the  temporary  accommodations  were 
deemed  sufficient.  The  young  Indian  pointed  towards  his 
rude  hut,  when  his  labor  was  ended  ;  Hey  ward,  who  under- 
stood the  meaning  of  the  silent  gesture,  gently  urged  Munro 
to  enter.  Leaving  the  bereaved  old  man  alone  with  his  sor- 
rows, Duncan  immediately  returned  into  the  open  air,  too  much 
excited  himself  to  seek  the  repose  he  had  recommended  to 
his  veteran  friend. 

While  Hawk-eye  and  the  Indians  lighted  their  fire,  and 
took  their  evening's  repast,  a  frugal  meal  of  dried  bear's  meat, 
the  young  man  paid  a  visit  to  that  curtain  of  the  dilapidated 
fort  which  looked  out  on  the  sheet  of  the  Horican.  The  wind 
had  fallen,  and  the  waves  were  already  rolling  on  the  sandy 
beach  beneath  him,  in  a  more  regular  and  tempered  succes- 
sion. The  clouds,  as  if  tired  of  their  furious  chase,  were 
breaking  asunder;  the  heavier  volumes,  gathering  in  black 
masses  about  the  horizon,  while  the  lighter  scud  still  hurried 
above  the  water,  or  eddied  among  the  tops  of  the  mountains, 
like  broken  flights  of  birds,  hovering  around  their  roosts. 
Here  and  there  a  red  and  fiery  star  struggled  through  the 
drifting  vapor,  furnishing  a  lurid  gleam  of  brightness  to  the 
dull  aspect  of  the  heavens.  Within  the  bosom  of  the  encir- 
cling hills,  an  impenetrable  darkness  had  already  settled  ;  and 
the  plain  lay  like  a  vast  and  deserted  charnel-house,  without 
omen  or  whisper  to  disturb  the  slumbers  of  its  numerous  and 
hapless  tenants. 


,94  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

Of  this  scene,  so  chillingly  in  accordance  with  the  past 
Duncan  stood  for  many  minutes  a  rapt  observer.  His  eyes 
wandered  from  the  bosom  of  the  mound,  where  the  foresters 
were  seated  around  their  glimmering  fire,  to  the  fainter  light 
which  still  lingered  in  the  skies,  and  then  rested  long  and 
anxiously  on  the  embodied  gloom,  which  lay  like  a  dreary 
void  on  that  side  of  him  where  the  dead  reposed.  He  soon 
fancied  that  inexplicable  sounds  arose  from  the  place,  though 
so  indistinct  and  stolen,  as  to  render  not  only  their  nature 
but  even  their  existence  uncertain.  Ashamed  of  his  apprehen* 
sions  the  young  man  turned  towards  the  water,  and  strove  to 
divert  his  attention  to  the  mimic  stars  that  dimly  glimmered 
on  its  moving  surface.  Still,  his  too  conscious  ears  performed 
their  ungrateful  duty,  as  if  to  warn  him  of  some  lurking  dan- 
ger. At  length  a  swift  trampling  seemed,  quite  audibly,  to  rush 
athwart  the  darkness.  Unable  any  longer  to  quiet  his  uneasi- 
ness, Duncan  spoke  in  a  low  voice  to  the  scout,  requesting 
him  to  ascend  the  mound  to  the  place  where  he  stood.  Hawk 
eye  threw  his  rifle  across  an  arm  and  complied,  but  with  an 
air  so  unmoved  and  calm  as  to  prove  how  much  he  counted 
on  the  security  of  their  position. 

"Listen,"  said  Duncan,  when  the  other  placed  himself 
deliberately  at  his  elbow ;  "  there  are  suppressed  noises  on 
the  plain  which  may  show  that  Mon-tcalm  has  not  yet  entirely 
deserted  his  conquest." 

"  Then  ears  are  better  than  eyes,"  said  the  undisturbed 
scout,  who  having  just  deposited  a  portion  of  a  bear  between 
his  grinders,  spoke  thick  and  slow,  like  one  whose  mouth  was 
doubly  occupied.  "  I,  myself,  saw  him  caged  in  Ty,  with  all 
his  host ;  for  your  Frenchers  when  they  have  done  a  clever 
thing,  like  to  get  back  and  have  a  dance,  or  a  merry-making 
with  the  women  over  their  success." 

"I  know  not.  An  Indian  seldom  sleeps  in  war,  and 
plunder  may  keep  a  Huron  here  after  his  tribe  has  departed 
It  would  be  well  to  extinguish  the  fire  and  have  a  watch. 
Listen  !  you  hear  the  noise  I  mean  !  " 

"  An  Indian  more  rarely  lurks  about  the  graves.  Though 
ready  to  slay,  and  not  over  regardful  of  the  means,  he  is  com- 
monly  content  with  the  scalp,  unless  when  blood  is  hot  and 
temper  up  ;  but  after  the  spirit  is  once  fairly  gone,  he  forgets 
his  enmity  and  is  willing  to  let  the  dead  find  their  natural 
rest.  Speaking  of  spirits,  major,  are  you  of  opinion  that  the 
heaven  of  a  red-skin  and  of  us  whites  will  be  one  and  th« 
same?" 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  ^ 

"  No  doubt — no  doubt.  I  thought  I  neard  it  again  !  oc 
was  it  the  rusting  of  the  leaves  in  the  top  of  the  beech  ?  " 

"  For  my  own  part,"  continued  Hawk-eye,  turning  his  facs 
for  a  moment  in  the  direction  indicated  by  Heyward,  but 
with  a  vacant  and  careless  manner,  "  I  believe  that  paradise 
is  ordained  for  happiness ;  and  that  men  will  be  indulged 
in  it  according  to  their  dispositions  and  gifts.  I  therefore 
judge  that  a  red-skin  is  not  far  from  the  truth  when  he  believes 
he-  is  to  find  them  glorious  hunting-grounds  of  which  his 
traditions  tell ;  nor,  for  that  matter,  do  I  think  it  would  be 
any  disparagement  to  a  man  without  a  cross  to  pass  his 
time—" 

"  You  hear  it  again  ?  "  interrupted  Duncan. 

"  Ay,  ay,  when  food  is  scarce,  and  when  food  is  plenty,  a 
wolf  grows  bold,"  said  the  unmoved  scout.  "There  would 
be  picking,  too,  among  the  skins  of  the  devils,  if  there  was 
light  and  time  for  the  sport.  But,  concerning  the  life  that  is 
to  come,  major  :  I  have  heard  preachers  say  in  the  settlements, 
that  Heaven  was  a  place  of  rest.  Now  men's  minds  differ  as 
to  their  ideas  of  enjoyment.  For  myself,  and  I  say  it  with 
reverence  to  the  ordering  of  Providence,  it  would  be  no  great 
indulgence  to  be  kept  shut  up  in  those  mansions  of  which  they 
preach,  having  a  natural  longing  for  motion  and  the  chase." 

Duncan,  who  was  now  made  to  understand  the  nature  of 
the  noises  he  had  heard,  answered,  with  more  attention  to  the 
subject  which  the  humor  of  the  scout  had  chosen  for  discus- 
sion, by  saying, — 

"  It  is  difficult  to  account  for  the  feelings  that  may  attend 
the  last  great  change." 

"  It  would  be  a  change  indeed  for  a  man  who  has  passed  his 
days  in  the  open  air,"  returned  the  single-minded  scout ;  "  and 
who  has  so  often  broken  his  fast  on  the  head  waters  of  the 
Hudson,  to  sleep  within  sound  of  the  roaring  Mohawk.  But 
it  is  a  comfort  to  know  we  serve  a  merciful  master,  though  we 
do  it  each  after  his  fashion,  and  with  great  tracts  of  wilderness 
atween  us — What  goes  there  ?  " 

"  Is  it  not  the  rushing  of  the  wolves  you  have  men- 
tioned ? " 

Hawk-eye  slowly  shook  his  head,  and  beckoned  for  Duncan 
to  follow  him  to  a  spot,  to  which  the  glare  from  the  fire  did 
not  extend.  When  he  had  taken  this  precaution,  the  scout 
placed  himself  in  an  attitude  of  intense  attention,  and  listened 
long  and  keenly  for  a  repetition  of  the  low  sound  that  had  so 
unexpectedly  startled  him.  His  vigilance,  however,  seemed 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICAN'S. 

exercised  in  vain  ;  for,  after  a  fruitless  pause,  he  whispered 
to  Duncan, — 

"  We  must  give  a  call  to  Uncas.  The  boy  has  Indian 
senses,  and  may  hear  what  is  hid  from  us  ;  for,  being  a  white- 
skin,  I  will  not  deny  my  nature." 

The  young  Mohican,  who  was  conversing  in  a  low  voice 
with  his  father,  started  as  he  heard  the  moaning  of  an  owl, 
and  springing  on  his  feet,  he  looked  towards  the  black  mounds, 
as  if  seeking  the  place  whence  the  sounds  proceeded.  The 
scout  repeated  the  call,  and  in  a  few  moments,  Duncan  saw 
the  figure  of  Uncas  stealing  cautiously  along  the  rampart,  to 
the  spot  where  they  stood. 

Hawk-eye  explained  his  wishes  in  a  very  few  words,  which 
were  spoken  in  the  Delaware  tongue.  So  soon  as  Uncas  was 
in  possession  of  the  reason  why  he  was  summoned,  he  threw 
himself  flat  on  the  turf ;  where,  to  the  eyes  of  Duncan,  he  ap- 
peared to  lie  quiet  and  motionless.  Surprised  at  the  im- 
movable attitude  of  the  young  warrior,  and  curious  to  observe 
the  manner  in  which  he  employed  his  faculties  to  obtain  the 
desired  information,  Heyward  advanced  a  few  steps,  and  bent 
over  the  dark  object,  on  which  he  had  kept  his  eyes  riveted. 
Then  it  was  that  he  discovered  that  the  form  of  Uncas  had 
vanished,  and  that  he  beheld  only  the  dark  outline  of  an  ine- 
quality in  the  embankment. 

"  What  has  become  of  the  Mohican  ? "  he  demanded  of 
the  scout  stepping  back  in  amazement ;  "  it  was  here  that  I 
saw  him  fall,  and  I  could  have  sworn  that  here  he  yet  re- 
mained." 

"  Hist !  speak  lower  ;  for  we  know  not  what  ears  are  open, 
and  the  Mingoes  are  a  quick-witted  breed.  As  for  Uncas,  he 
is  out  on  the  plain,  and  the  Maquas,  if  any  such  are  about  us, 
will  find  their  equal." 

"  You  think  that  Montcalm  has  not  called  off  all  his  In- 
dians ?  Let  us  give  the  alarm  to  our  companions,  that  we  may 
stand  to  our  arms.  Here  are  five  of  us,  who  are  not  unused 
to  meet  an  enemy." 

"  Not  a  word  t  Cither,  as  you  value  your  life.  Look  at  the 
Sagamore,  how  like  ,  grand  Indian  chief  he  sits  by  the  fire. 
If  there  are  any  skulkers  out  in  the  darkness,  they  will  never 
discover,  by  his  ountenance,  that  we  suspect  danger  at 
hand/' 

"  But  they  may  discover  him,  and  it  will  prove  his  death. 
His  pers  n  can  be  too  plainly  seen  by  the  light  of  that  fire, 
and  h:  will  become  the  first  and  most  certain  victim." 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  197 

"  It  is  undeniable  that  now  you  speak  the  truth,"  returned 
the  scout,  betraying  more  anxiety  than  usual ;  "  yet  what  can 
be  done  ?  A  single  suspicious  look  might  bring  on  an  attack 
before  we  are  ready  to  receive  it.  He  knows,  by  the  call  1 
gave  to  Uncas,  that  we  have  struck  a  scent :  I  will  tell  him 
that  we  are  on  the  trail  of  the  Mingoes  ;  his  Indian  nature  will 
teach  him  how  to  act." 

The  scout  applied  his  fingers  to  his  mouth,  and  raised  a 
low  hissing  sound,  that  caused  Duncan,  at  first,  to  start  aside, 
believing  that  he  heard  a  serpent.  The  head  of  Chingachgook 
was  resting  on  a  hand,  as  he  sat  musing  by  himself ;  but  the 
moment  he  heard  the  warning  of  the  animal  whose  name  he 
bore  it  rose  to  an  upright  position,  and  his  dark  eyes  glanced 
swiftly  and  keenly  on  every  side  of  him.  With  this  sudden 
and  perhaps  involuntary  movement,  every  appearance  of  sur- 
prise or  alarm  ended.  His  rifle  lay  untouched,  and  appar- 
ently unnoticed,  within  reach  of  his  hand.  The  tomahawk 
that  he  had  loosened  in  his  belt  for  the  sake  of  ease,  was  even 
suffered  to  fall  from  its  usual  situation  to  the  ground,  and  his 
form  seemed  to  sink,  like  that  of  a  man  whose  nerves  and 
sinews  were  suffered  to  relax  for  the  purpose  of  rest.  Cun- 
ningly resuming  his  former  position,  though  with  a  change  of 
hands,  as  if  the  movement  had  been  made  merely  to  relieve 
the  limb,  the  native  awaited  the  result  with  a  calmness  and 
fortitude  that  none  but  an  Indian  warrior  would  have  known 
how  to  exercise. 

But  Heyward  saw,  that  while  to  a  less  instructed  eye  the 
Mohican  chief  appeared  to  slumber,  his  nostrils  were  expanded, 
his  head  was  turned  a  little  to  one  side,  as  if  to  assist  the  or- 
gans of  hearing,  and  that  his  quick  and  rapid  glances  ran 
incessantly  over  every  object,  within  the  power  of  his  vision. 

"  See  the  noble  fellow  !  "  whispered  Hawk-eye  pressing  the 
arm  of  Heyward  •  "he  knows  that  a  look  or  a  motion  might 
disconsart  our  schemes,  and  put  us  at  the  mercy  of  them 
imps — " 

He  was  interrupted  by  the  flash  and  report  of  a  rifle.  The 
air  was  filled  with  sparks  of  fire  around  that  spot  where  the 
eyes  of  Heyward  were  still  fastened  with  admiration  and 
wonder.  A  second  look  told  him,  that  Chingachgook  had  dis- 
appeared in  the  confusion.  In  the  meantime,  the  scout  had 
thrown  forward  his  rifle,  like  one  prepared  for  service,  and 
awaited  impatiently  the  moment  when  an  enemy  might  rise  to 
view.  But  with  the  solitary  and  fruitless  attempt  made  on  the 
life  of  Chingachgook,  the  attack  appeared  to  have  terminated. 


jgg  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

Once  or  twice  the  listeners  thought  they  could  distinguish  the 
distant  rustling  of  bushes,  as  bodies  of  some  unknown  descrip- 
tion rushed  through  them  ;  nor  was  it  long  before  Hawk-eye 
pointed  out  the  "  scampering  of  the  wolves,"  as  they  fled  pre- 
cipitately before  the  passage  of  some  intruder  on  their  proper 
domains.  After  an  impatient  and  breathless  pause,  a  plunge 
was  heard  in  the  water,  and  it  was  immediately  followed  by 
the  report  of  another  rifle. 

"  There  goes  Uncas!"  said  the  scout ;  "  the  boy  bears  a 
smart  piece !  I  know  its  crack,  as  well  as  a  father  knows  the 
language  of  his  child,  for  I  carried  the  gun  myself  until  a 
better  offered." 

"  What  can  this  mean  ?  "  demanded  Duncan  ;  "  we  are 
watched,  and,  as  it  would  seem,  marked  for  destruction." 

"  Yonder  scattered  brand  can  witness  that  no  good  was 
intended,  and  this  Indian  will  testify  that  no  harm  has  been 
done,"  returned  the  scout,  dropping  his  rifle'  across  his  arm 
again,  and  following  Chingachgook,  who  just  then  re-appeared 
within  the  circle  of  light,  into  the  bosom  of  the  works. 
"  How  is  it,  Sagamore  ?  Are  the  Mingoes  upon  us  in  earnest, 
or  is  it  only  one  of  those  reptiles  who  hang  upon  the  skirts 
of  a  war  party,  to  scalp  the  dead,  go  in,  and  make  their  boasts 
among  the  squaws  of  the  valiant  deeds  done  on  the  pale- 
faces  ?  " 

Chingachgook  very  quietly  resumed  his  seat ;  nor  did  he 
make  any  reply,  until  after  he  had  examined  the  firebrand 
which  had  been  struck  by  the  bullet,  that  had  nearly  proved 
fatal  to  himself.  After  which,  he  was  content  to  reply,  hold- 
ing a  single  finger  up  to  view,  with  the  English  monosyllable — 

"One." 

"  I  thought  as  much,"  returned  Hawk-eye,  seating  himself  ; 
"  and  as  he  had  got  the  cover  of  the  lake  afore  Uncas  pulled 
upon  him,  it  is  more  than  probable  the  knave  will  sing  his 
lies  about  some  great  ambushment,  in  which  he  was  outlying 
on  the  trail  of  two  Mohicans  and  a  white  hunter — for  the 
officers  can  be  considered  as  little  better  than  idlers  in  such 
a  skrimmage.  Well,  let  him — let  him.  There  are  always 
some  honest  men  in  every  nation,  though  heaven  knows  too, 
that  they  are  scarce  among  the  Maquas,  to  look  down  an  up- 
start when  he  brags  ag'in  the  face  of  reason.  The  varlet  sent 
his  lead  within  whistle  of  your  ears,  Sagamore." 

Chingachgook  turned  a  calm  and  incurious  eye  toward 
the  place  where  the  ball  had  struck,  and  then  resumed  his 
former  attitude,  with  a  composure  that  could  not  be  disturbed 


THE  LAST  OF  THE 

~  79 

by  so  trifling  an  incident.  Just  then  Uncas  glided  into  th« 
circle,  and  seated  himself  at  the  fire,  with  the  same  appear- 
ance  of  indifference  as  was  maintained  by  his  father. 

Of  these  several  morements  Heyward  was  a  deeply  inter* 
ested  and  wondering  observer.  It  appeared  to  him  as  though 
the  foresters  had  some  secret  means  of  intelligence,  which  had 
escaped  the  vigilance  of  his  own  faculties.  In  place  of  that 
eager  and  garrulous  narration  with  which  a  white  youth  would 
have  endeavored  to  communicate,  and  perhaps  exaggerate, 
that  which  had  passed  out  in  the  darkness  of  the  plain,  the 
young  warrior  was  seemingly  content  to  let  his  deeds  speak 
for  themselves.  It  was,  in  fact,  neither  the  moment  nor  the 
occasion  for  the  Indian  to  boast  of  his  exploits  ;  and  it  is 
probable,  that  had  Heyward  neglected  to  inquire,  not  another 
syllable  would,  just  then,  have  been  uttered  on  the  subject. 

"What  has  become  of  our  enemy,  Uncas?"  demanded 
Duncan  \  "  we  heard  your  rifle,  and  hoped  you  had  not  fired 
in  vain." 

The  young  chief  removed  a  fold  of  his  hunting  shirt,  and 
quietly  exposed  the  fatal  tuft  of  hair,  which  he  bore  as  the 
symbol  of  victory.  Chingachgook  had  his  hand  on  the  scalp, 
and  considered  it  for  a  moment  with  deep  attention.  Then 
dropping  it,  with  disgust  depicted  in  his  strong  features,  he 
ejaculated — 

"  Oneida  !  " 

"  Oneida  !  "  repeated  the  scout,  who  was  fast  losing  his 
interest  in  the  scene,  in  an  apathy  nearly  assimulated  to  that 
of  his  red  associates,  but  who  now  advanced  with  uncommon 
earnestness  to  regard  the  bloody  badge.  "  By  the  lord  if 
the  Oneidas  are  outlying  upon  the  trail,  we  shall  be  flanked  by 
devils  on  every  side  of  us  !  Now,  to  white  eyes  there  is  no 
difference  between  this  bit  of  skin  and  that  of  any  other 
Indian,  and  yet  the  Sagamore  declares  it  came  from  the  poll 
of  a  Mmgo  ;  nay,  he  even  names  the  tribe  of  the  poor  devil 
with  as  much  ease  as  if  the  scalp  was  a  leaf  of  a  book  and 
each  hair  a  letter.  What  right  have  Christian  whites  to  boasf 
of  their  learning,  when  a  savage  can  read  a  language  that 
would  prove  too  much  for  the  wisest  of  them  all  1  What  say 
you,  lad  ;  of  what  people  was  the  knave  ?  " 

Uncas  raised  his  eyes  to  the  face  of  the  scout,  and  an- 
swered, in  his  soft  voice, — 

*  Oneida." 

"  Oneida,  again  1  when  one  Indian  makes  a  declaration  j> 


200  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

is  commonly  true  ;  but  when  he  is  supported  by  his  people, 
set  it  down  as  gospel !  " 

"  The  poor  felbw  has  mistaken  us  for  French,"  said  Hey 
ward  ;  "or  he  would  not  have  attempted  the  life  of  a  friend." 

"  He  mistake  a  Mohican  in  his  paint  for  a  Huron  !  You 
would  be  as  likely  to  mistake  the  white  coated  grenadiers  of 
Montcalm  for  the  scarlet  jackets  of  the  *  Royal  Americans,' " 
returned  the  scout.  "  No,  no,  the  sarpent  knew  his  errand ; 
nor  was  there  any  great  mistake  in  the  matter,  for  there  is 
but  little  love  atween  a  Delaware  and  a  Mingo,  let  their 
tribes  go  out  to  fight  for  whom  they  may,  in  a  white  quarrel. 
For  that  matter,  though  the  Oneidas  do  serve  his  sacred 
Majesty,  who  is  my  own  sovereign  lord  and  master,  I  should 
not  have  deliberated  long  about  letting  off  'Kill-deer'  at  the 
imp  myself,  had  luck  thrown  him  in  my  way." 

"  That  would  have  been  an  abuse  of  our  treaties,  and  un- 
worthy of  your  character." 

"  When  a  man  consorts  much  with  a  people  "  continued 
Hawk-eye,  "  if  they  are  honest  and  he  no  knave,  love  will 
grow  up  atwixt  them.  It  is  true  that  white  cunning  has  man- 
aged to  throw  the  tribes  into  great  confusion,  as  respects 
friends  and  enemies  ;  so  that  the  Hurons  and  the  Oneidas, 
who  speak  the  same  tongue,  or  what  may  be  called  the  same, 
take  each  other's  scalps,  and  the  Delawares  are  divided  among 
themselves  ;  a  few  hanging  about  their  great  council  fire  on 
their  own  river,  and  fighting  on  the  same  side  with  the  Min- 
goes,  while  the  greater  part  are  in  the  Canadas,  out  of  natural 
enmity  to  the  Maquas — thus  throwing  everything  into  disorder, 
and  destroying  all  the  harmony  of  warfare.  Yet  a  red  natur' 
is  not  likely  to  alter  with  every  shift  of  policy ;  so  that  the 
love  atwixt  a  Mohican  and  a  Mingo  is  much  like  the  regard 
between  a  white  man  and  a  sarpent." 

"  I  regret  to  hear  it ;  for  I  had  believed  those  natives  who 
dwelt  within  our  boundaries  had  found  us  too  just  and  liberal, 
not  to  identify  themselves  fully  with  our  quarrels." 

"  Why,  I  believe  it  is  natur'  to  give  a  preference  to  one's 
own  quarrels  before  those  of  strangers.  Now,  for  myself,  I 
do  love  justice ;  and  therefore  I  will  not  say  I  hate  a  Mingo, 
k— for  that  may  be  unsuitable  to  my  color  and  my  religion, — 
though  I  will  just  repeat,  it  may  have  been  owing  to  the  night 
that  '  Kill-deer '  had  no  hand  in  the  death  of  this  skulking 
<)neida." 

Then,  as  if  satisfied  with  the  force  of  his  own  reasons, 
whatever  might  be  their  effect  on  the  opinions  of  the  othef 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  2OI 

disputant,  the  honest  but  implacable  woodsman  turned  from 
the  fire,  content  to  let  the  controversy  slumber.  Hey  ward  with- 
drew to  the  rampart,  too  uneasy  and  too  little  accustomed  to 
the  warfare  of  the  woods,  to  remain  at  ease  under  the  pos- 
sibility  of  such  insidious  attacks.  Not  so,  however,  with  the 
scout  and  the  Mohicans.  Those  acute  and  long  practised 
senses,  whose  powers  so  often  exceed  the  limits  of  all  ordinary 
credulity,  after  having  detected  the  danger,  had  enabled  them 
to  ascertain  its  magnitude  and  duration.  Not  one  of  the  three 
appeared  in  the  least  to  doubt  their  perfect  security,  as  was 
indicated  by  the  preparations  that  were  soon  made  to  sit  in 
council -over  their  future  proceedings. 

The  confusion  of  nations,  and  even  of  tribes,  to  which 
Hawk-eye  alluded,  existed  at  that  period  in  the  fullest  force. 
The  great  tie  of  language,  and,  of  course,  of  a  common  origin, 
was  severed  in  many  places  ;  and  it  was  one  of  its  consequences, 
that  the  Delaware  and  the  Mingo  (as  the  people  of  the  Six 
Nations  were  called)  were  found  fighting  in  the  same  ranks, 
while  the  latter  sought  the  scalp  of  the  Huron,  though  believed 
to  be  the  root  of  his  own  stock.  The  Delawares  were  even 
divided  among  themselves.  Though  love  for  the  soil  which 
had  belonged  to  his  ancestors  kept  the  Sagamore  of  the 
Mohicans  with  a  small  band  of  followers  who  were  serving  at 
Edward,  under  the  banners  of  the  English  king,  by  far  the 
largest  portion  of  his  nation  were  known  to  be  in  the  field  as 
allies  of  Montcalm.  The  reader  probably  knows,  if  enough 
has  not  already  been  gleaned  from  this  narrative,  that  the 
Delaware,  or  Lenape,  claimed  to  be  the  progenitors  of  that 
numerous  people,  who  once  were  masters  of  most  of  the  east- 
ern and  northern  states  of  America,  of  whom  the  community 
of  the  Mohicans  was  an  ancient  and  highly  honored  member. 

It  was,  of  course,  with  a  perfect  understanding  of  the  mi- 
nute and  intricate  interests  which  had  armed  friend  against 
friend,  and  brought  natural  enemies  to  combat  by  each  other's 
side,  that  the  scout  and  his  companions  now  disposed  them- 
selves to  deliberate  on  the  measures  that  were  to  govern  their 
future  movements,  amid  so  many  jarring  and  savage  races  of 
men.  Duncan  knew  enough  of  Indian  customs  to  understand 
the  reason  that  the  fire  was  replenished,  and  why  the  warriors, 
not  excepting  Hawk-eye,  took  their  seats  within  the  curl  of  its 
smoke  with  so  much  gravity  and  decorum.  Placing  himself  at 
an  angle  of  the  works,  where  he  might  be  spectator  of  the  scene 
within,  while  he  kept  a  watchful  eye  against  any  danger  from 
without,  he  awaited  theresult  with  as  much  patience  as  he  could 
summon. 


202  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

After  a  short  and  impressive  pause,  Chingachgook  lighted 
a  pipe  whose  bowl  was  curiously  carved  in  one  of  the  soft 
stones  of  the  country,  and  whose  stem  was  a  tube  of  wood, 
and  commenced  smoking.  When  he  had  inhaled  enough  of 
the  fragrance  of  the  soothing  weed,  he  passed  the  instrument 
into  the  hands  of  the  scout.  In  this  manner  the  pipe  had  made 
its  rounds  three  several  times,  amid  the  most  profound  silence, 
before  either  of  the  party  opened  his  lips.  Then  the  Sagamore, 
as  the  oldest  and  highest  in  rank,  in  a  few  calm  and  dignified 
words,  proposed  the  subject  for  deliberation.  He  was  answered 
by  the  scout ;  and  Chingachgook  rejoined,  when  the  other 
objected  to  his  opinions.  But  the  youthful  Uncas  continued 
a  silent  and  respectful  listener,  until  Hawk-eye,  in  com- 
plaisance, demanded  his  opinion.  Heyward  gathered  from 
the  manners  of  the  different  speakers,  that  the  father  and  son 
espoused  one  side  of  a  disputed  question,  while  the  white  man 
maintained  the  other.  The  contest  gradually  grew  warmer, 
until  it  was  quite  evident  the  feelings  of  the  speakers  began 
to  be  somewhat  enlisted  in  the  debate. 

Notwithstanding  the  increasing  warmth  of  the  amicable 
contest,  the  most  decorous  Christian  assembly,  not  even  ex- 
cepting those  in  which  its  reverend  ministers  are  collected, 
might  have  learned  a  wholesome  lesson  of  moderation  from 
the  forbearance  and  courtesy  of  the  disputants.  The  words 
of  Uncas  were  received  with  the  same  deep  attention  as  those 
which  fell  from  the  maturer  wisdom  of  his  father ;  and  so  far 
from  manifesting  any  impatience,  neither  spoke  in  reply,  until 
a  few  moments  of  silent  meditation  were,  seemingly,  bestowed 
in  deliberating  on  what  had  already  been  said. 

The  language  of  the  Mohicans  was  accompanied  by  gestures 
so  direct  and  natural,  that  Heyward  had  but  little  difficulty  in 
following  the  thread  of  their  argument.  On  the  other  hand, 
the  scout  was  obscure ;  because,  from  the  lingering  pride  of 
color,  he  rather  affected  the  cold  and  artificial  manner  which 
characterizes  all  classes  of  Anglo-Americans,  when  unexcited. 
By  the  frequency  with  which  the  Indians  described  the  marks 
of  a  forest  trail,  it  was  evident  they  urged  a  pursuit  by  land, 
while  the  repeated  sweep  of  Hawk-eye's  arm  towards  the 
Horican  denoted  that  he  was  for  a  passage  across  its  waters. 

The  latter  was,  to  every  appearance,  fast  losing  ground, 
and  the  point  was  about  to  be  decided  against  him,  when  he 
arose  to  his  feet  and  shaking  off  his  apathy,  he  suddenly  as- 
sumed the  manner  of  an  Indian,  and  adopted  all  the  arts  of 
native  eloquence.  Elevating  an  arm,  he  pointed  out  the  track 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOfflCAtfS. 


201 


of  the  sun,  repeating  the  gesture  for  every  day  that  was  ne- 
cessary to  accomplish  their  object.  Then  he  delineated  a 
long  and  painful  path,  amid  rocks  and  watercourses.  The  age 
and  weakness  of  the  slumbering  and  unconscious  Munro  were 
indicated  by  signs  too  palpable  to  be  mistaken.  Duncan  pen 
ceived  that  even  his  own  powers  were  spoken  lightly  of,  as  the 
scout  extended  his  palm,  and  mentioned  him  by  the  appellation 
of  the  "  Open  Hand," — a  name  his  liberality  had  purchased 
of  all  the  friendly  tribes.  Then  came  a  representation  of  the 
light  and  graceful  movements  of  a  canoe,  set  in  forcible  con- 
trast to  the  tottering  steps  of  one  enfeebled  and  lired.  He 
concluded  by  pointing  to  the  scalp  of  the  Oneida,  and  ap- 
parently urging  the  necessity  of  their  departing  speedily,  and  in 
a  manner  that  should  leave  no  trail. 

The  Mohicans  listened  gravely,  and  with  countenances  that 
reflected  the  sentiments  of  the  speaker.  Conviction  gradually 
wrought  its  influence,  and  towards  the  close  of  Hawk-eye's 
speech,  his  sentences  were  accompanied  by  the  customary  ex- 
clamation of  commendation.  In  short,  Uncas  and  his  father 
became  converts  to  his  way  of  thinking,  abandoning  their  own 
previously  expressed  opinions  with  a  liberality  and  candor, 
that,  had  they  been  the  representatives  of  some  great  and  civ- 
ilized people,  would  have  infallibly  worked  their  political  ruin, 
by  destroying,  forever,  their  reputation  for  consistency. 

The  instant  the  matter  in  discussion  was  decided,  the  de- 
bate, and  everything  connected  with  it,  except  the  result,  ap- 
peared to  be  forgotten.  Hawk-eye,  without  looking  round  to 
read  his  triumph  in  applauding  eyes,  very  composedly  stretched 
his  tall  frame  before  the  dying  embers,  and  closed  his  own  or- 
gans in  sleep. 

Left  now  in  a  measure  to  themselves,  the  Mohicans,  whose 
time  had  been  so  much  devoted  to  the  interests  of  others, 
seized  the  moment  to  devote  some  attention  to  themselves. 
Casting  off,  at  once,  the  grave  and  austere  demeanor  of  an 
Indian  chief,  Chingachgook  commenced  speaking  to  his  son 
in  the  soft  and  playful  tones  of  affection.  Uncas  gladly  met 
the  familiar  air  of  his  father,  and  before  the  hard  breathing  of 
the  scout  announced  that  he  slept,  a  complete  change  was 
effected  in  the  manner  of  his  two  associates. 

It  is  impossible  to  describe  the  music  of  their  language, 
while  thus  engaged  in  laughter  and  endearments,  in  such  a 
way  as  to  render  it  intelligible  to  those  whose  ears  have  nevef 
listened  to  its  melody.     The  compass  of  their  voices,  particu 
larly  that  of  the  youth,  was  wonderful,— -extending  from  the 


204  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

deepest  bass  to  tones  that  were  even  feminine  in  softness 
The  eyes  of  the  father  followed  the  plastic  and  ingenious 
movements  of  the  son  with  open  delight,  and  he  never  failed 
to  smile  in  reply  to  the  other's  contagious,  but  low  laughter. 
While  under  the  influence  of  these  gentle  and  natural  feelings, 
no  trace  of  ferocity  was  to  be  seen  in  the  softened  features  of 
the  Sagamore.  His  figured  panolpy  of  death  looked  more 
like  a  disguise  assumed  in  mockery,  than  a  fierce  annunciation 
of  a  desire  to  carry  destruction  and  desolation  in  his  footsteps. 

After  an  hour  passed  in  the  indulgence  of  their  better 
feelings,  Chingachgook  abruptly  announced  his  desire  to  sleep, 
by  wrapping  his  head  in  his  blanket,  and  stretching  his  form 
on  the  naked  earth.  The  merriment  of  Uncas  instantly 
ceased  ;  and  carefully  raking  the  coals  in  such  a  manner  that 
they  should  impart  their  warmth  to  his  father's  feet,  the  youth 
sought  his  own  pillow  among  the  ruins  of  the  place. 

Imbibing  renewed  confidence  from  the  security  of  these' 
experienced  foresters,  Heyward  soon  imitated  their  example  ; 
and  long  before  the  night  had  turned,  they  who  lay  in  the 
bosom  of  the  ruined  work,  seemed  to  slumber  as  heavily  as 
the  unconscious  multitude  whose  bones  were  already  beginning 
to  bleach  on  the  surrounding  plain. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Land  of  Albania  I  let  me  bend  mine  eyes 
On  thee,  thou  rugged  nurse  of  savage  men! 

CHILDB  HAROLD. 

THE  heavens  were  still  studded  with  stars,  when  Hawk- 
eye  came  to  rouse  the  sleepers.  Casting  aside  their  cloaks, 
Munro  and  Heyward  were  on  their  feet,  while  the  woodsman 
was  still  making  his  low  calls,  at  the  entrance  of  the  rude 
shelter  where  they  had  passed  the  night.  When  they  issued 
from  beneath  its  concealment,  they  found  the  scout  awaiting 
their  appearance  nigh  by,  and  the  only  salutation  between 
them  was  the  significant  gesture  for  silence,  made  by  their  sa« 
gacious  leader. 

"  Think  over  your  prayers,"  he  whispered,  as  they  ar> 
preached  him  ;  "  for  he,  to  whom  you  make  them,  knows  all 
tongues ;  that  of  the  heart,  as  well  as  those  of  the  mouth 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


205 


But  speak  not  a  syllable  \  it  is  rare  for  a  white  voice  to  pitch 
itself  properly  in  the  woods,  as  we  have  seen  by  the  example 
of  that  miserable  devil,  the  singer.  Come,"  he  continued, 
turning  towards  a  curtain  of  the  works  ;  "  let  us  get  into  the 
ditch  on  this  side,  and  be  regardful  to  step  on  the  stones  and 
fragments  of  wood  as  you  go." 

His  companions  complied,  though  to  two  of  them  the  rea 
sons  of  this  extraordinary  precaution  were  yet  a  mystery.  When 
they  were  in  the  low  cavity  that  surrounded  the  earthen  fort 
on  three  of  its  sides,  they  found  the  passage  nearly  choked  by 
the  ruins.  With  care  and  patience,  however,  they  succeeded 
in  clambering  after  the  scout,  until  they  reached  the  sandy 
shore  of  the  Horican. 

"  That's  a  trail  that  nothing  but  a  nose  can  follow,"  said 
the  satisfied  scout  looking  back  along  their  difficult  way; 
"  grass  is  a  treacherous  carpet  for  a  flying  party  to  tread  on, 
but  wood  and  stone  take  no  print  from  a  moccasin.  Had  you 
worn  your  armed  boots,  there  might,  indeed,  have  been  some- 
thing to  fear  ;  but  with  the  deer-skin  suitably  prepared,  a  man 
may  trust  himself,  generally,  on  rocks  with  safety.  Shove  in 
the  canoe  nigher  to  the  land,  Uncas  ;  this  sand  will  take  a 
stamp  as  easily  as  the  butter  of  the  Jarmans  on  the  Mohawk. 
Softly,  lad,  softly,  it  must  not  touch  the  beach,  or  the  knaves 
will  know  by  what  road  we  have  left  the  place." 

The  young  man  observed  the  precaution ;  and  the  scout, 
laying  a  board  from  the  ruins  to  the  canoe,  made  a  sign  for 
the  two  officers  to  enter.  When  this  was  done,  everything 
was  studiously  restored  to  its  former  disorder ;  and  then 
Hawk-eye  succeeded  in  reaching  his  little  birchen  vessel, 
without  leaving  behind  him  any  of  those  marks  which  he  ap- 
peared so  much  to  dread.  Heyward  was  silent,  until  the 
Indians  had  cautiously  paddled  the  canoe  some  distance  from 
the  fort,  and  within  the  broad  and  dark  shadow  that  fell  from 
the  eastern  mountain,  on  the  glassy  surface  of  the  lake  ;  then 
he  demanded — 

"  What  need  have  we  for  this  stolen  and  hurried  .de- 
parture ? " 

"  If  the  blood  of  an  Oneida  could  stain  such  a  sheet  of 
pure  water  as  this  we  float  on,"  returned  the  scout,  "  your  two 
eyes  would  answer  your  own  question.  Have  you  forgotten 
the  skulking  reptyle  that  Uncas  slew  ?  " 

"  By  no  means.  But  he  was  said  to  be  alone,  and  dead 
men  give  no  cause  for  fear." 

"  Ay,  he  was  alone  in  his  deviltry  I  but  an  Indian,  whose 


206  THE  LAST  OP  THE  MOHICANS. 

tribe  counts  so  many  warriors,  need  seldom  fear  his  blood 
will  run,  without  the  death-shriek  coming  speedily  from  some 
of  his  enemies." 

"  But  our  presence — the  authority  of  Colonel  Munro  would 
prove  a  sufficient  protection  against  the  anger  of  our  allies, 
especially  in  a  case  where  the  wretch  so  well  merited  his  fate. 
I  trust  in  Heaven  you  have  not  deviated  a  single  foot  from 
the  direct  line  of  our  course,  with  so  slight  a  reason." 

"  Do  you  think  the  bullet  of  that  varlet's  rifle  would  have 
turned  aside,  though  his  sacred  Majesty  the  King  had  stood 
in  its  path  ?"  returned  the  stubborn  scout.  "  Why  did  not 
the  grand  Frencher,  he  who  is  captain-general  of  the  Canadas, 
bury  the  tomahawks  of  the  Hurons,  if  a  word  from  a  white 
can  work  so  strongly  on  the  natur'  of  an  Indian  ?  " 

The  reply  of  Heyward  was  interrupted  by  a  groan  from 
Munro  ;  but  after  he  had  paused  a  moment,  in  deference  to 
the  sorrow  of  his  aged  friend,  he  resumed  the  subject. 

"  The  Marquis  of  Montcalm  can  only  settle  that  error 
with  his  God,"  said  the  young  man  solemnly. 

"Ay,  ay,  now  there  is  reason  in  your  words,  for  they  are 
bottomed  on  religion  and  honesty.  There  is  a  vast  difference 
between  throwing  a  regiment  of  white  coats  atwixt  the  tribes 
and  the  prisoners,  and  coaxing  an  angry  savage  to  forget  he 
carries  a  knife  and  a  rifle,  with  words  that  must  begin  with 
calling  him  '  your  son.'  No,  no,"  continued  the  scout,  looking 
back  at  the  dim  shore  of  William  Henry,  which  was  now  fast 
receding,  and  laughing  in  his  own  silent  but  heartfelt  man- 
ner ;  "  I  have  put  a  trail  of  water  atween  us  ;  and  unless  the 
imps  can  make  friends  with  the  fishes,  and  hear  wfio  has  pad- 
dled across  their  basin,  this  fine  morning,  we  shall  throw  the 
length  of  the  Horican  behind  us,  before  they  have  made  up 
their  mind  which  path  to  take." 

"  With  foes  in  front,  and  foes  in  our  rear,  our  journey  is 
like  to  be  one  of  danger." 

"  Danger  !  '  repeated  Hawk-eye  calmly  ;  "  no,  not  abso- 
lutely of  danger  ;  for,  with  vigilant  ears,  and  quick  eyes,  we 
can  manage  to  keep  a  few  hours  ahead  of  the  knaves ;  or,  if 
we  must  try  the  rifle,  there  are  three  of  us  who  understand  its 
gifts  as  well  as  any  you  can  name  on  the  borders.  No,  not 
of  danger ;  but  that  we  shall  have  what  you  may  call  a  brisk 
push  of  it,  is  probable ;  and  it  may  happen  a  brush,  a  skrim- 
mage,  or  some  such  divarsion,  but  always  where  covers  are 
good,  and  ammunition  abundant." 

It  is  possible  that  Heyward's  estimate  of  danger  differed 


THE  RAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  207 

in  some  degree  from  that  of  the  scout,  for,  instead  of  replying, 
he  now  sat  in  silence  while  the  canoe  glided  over  several 
miles  of  water.  Just  as  the  day  dawned,  they  entered  the 
narrows  of  the  lake,*  and  stole  swiftly  and  cautiously  among 
their  numberless  little  islands.  It  was  by  this  road  that 
Montcalm  had  retired  with  his  army,  and  the  adventurers 
knew  not  but  he  had  left  some  of  his  Indians  in  ambush,  to 
protect  the  rear  of  his  forces,  and  collect  the  stragglers. 
They  therefore  approached  the  passage  with  the  customary 
Silence  of  their  guarded  habits. 

Chingachgook  laid  aside  his  paddle  ;  while  Uncas  and  the 
scout  urged  the  light  vessel  through  crooked  and  intricate 
channels,  where  every  foot  that  they  advanced  exposed  tham 
to  the  danger  of  some  sudden  rising  on  their  progress.  The 
eyes  of  the  Sagamore  moved  warily  from  islet  to  islet  and 
and  copse  to  copse,  as  the  canoe  proceeded ;  and  when  a 
clearer  sheet  of  water  permitted,  his  keen  vision  was  bent 
along  the  bold  rocks  and  impending  forests,  that  frowned 
upon  the  narrow  strait. 

Heyward  who  was  a  doubly  interested  spectator,  as  well 
from  the  beauties  of  the  place  as  from  the  apprehension  natural 
to  his  situation,  was  just  believing  that  he  had  permitted  the 
latter  to  be  excited  without  sufficient  reason,  when  the  paddle 
ceased  moving,  in  obedience  to  a  signal  from  Chingachgook. 

"  Hugh  !  "  exclaimed  Uncas,  nearly  at  the  moment  that 
the  light  tap  his  father  had  made  on  the  side  of  the  canoe 
notified  them  of  the  vicinity  of  danger. 

"  What  now  ?  "  asked  the  scout ;  "  the  lake  is  as  smooth 
as  if  the  winds  had  never  blown,  and  I  can  see  along  its  sheet 
for  miles  ;  there  is  not  so  much  as  the  black  head  of  a  loon 
dotting  the  water." 

The  Indian  gravely  raised  his  paddle,  and  pointed  in  the 
direction  in  which  his  own  steady  look  was  riveted.  Dun- 

*  The  beauties  of  Lake  George  are  well  known  to  every  American  tourist.  In 
the  height  of  the  mountains  which  surround  it,  and  in  artificial  accessories  it  is  in- 
ferior to  the  finest  of  the  Swiss  and  Italian  lakes,  while  in  outline  and  purity  of 
water  it  is  fully  their  equal  !  and  in  the  number  and  disposition  of  its  isles  and 
islets,  much  superior  to  them  altogether.  There  are  said  to  be  some  hundreds  of 
islands  in  a  sheet  of  water  less  than  thirty  miles  long.  The  narrows  which  connect 
what  may  be  called,  in  truth,  two  lakes,  are  crowded  with  islands  to  such  a  degree  as 
to  leave  passages  between  them,  frequently  of  only  a  few  feet  in  width.  The  lake, 
itself,  varies  in  breadth  from  one  to  three  miles. 

The  state  of  New  York  is  remarkable  for  the  number  and  beauty  of  its  lakes. 
One  of  its  frontiers  lies  on  the  vast  sheet  of  Ontario,  while  Champlain  stretches 
nearly  a  hundred  miles  along  another.  Oneida,  Cayuga,  Canadaigua,  Seneca,  and 
George,  are  all  lakes  of  thirty  miles  in  length,  while  those  of  a  size  smaller  are  with- 
out number.  On  most  of  these  lakes  there  are  now  beautiful  villages,  and  oo 
many  of  them  steamboats. 


io8  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

can's  eyes  followed  the  motion.  A  few  rods  in  their  front  laj 
another  of  the  low  wooded  islets,  but  it  appeared  as  calm  and 
peaceful  as  if  its  solitude  had  never  been  disturbed  by  the 
foot  of  man. 

"  I  see  nothing,"  he  said,  "  but  land  and  water ;  and  a 
lovely  scene  it  is." 

"  Hist !  "  interrupted  the  scout.  "  Ay,  Sagamore,  there  is 
always  a  reason  for  what  you  do.  'Tis  but  a  shade,  and  yet 
it  is  not  natural.  You  see  the  mist,  Major,  that  is  rising  above 
the  island  ;  you  can't  call  it  a  fog,  for  it  is  more  like  a  streak 
of  thin  cloud, — " 

"  It  is  vapor  from  the  water." 

"  That  a  child  could  tell.  But  what  is  the  edging  of  blackef 
smoke  that  hangs  along  its  lower  side,  and  which  you  may 
trace  down  into  the  thicket  of  hazel  ?  'Tis  from  a  fire  ;  but 
one  that,  in  my  judgment,  has  been  suffered  to  burn  low." 

"  Let  us  then  push  for  the  place,  and  relieve  our  doubts," 
said  the  impatient  Duncan  •  "  the  party  must  be  small  that 
can  lie  on  such  a  bit  of  land." 

"  If  you  judge  of  Indian  cunning  by  the  rules  you  find  in 
books,  or  by  white  sagacity,  they  will  lead  you  astray,  if  not  to 
your  death,"  returned  Hawk-eye,  examining  the  signs  of  the 
place  with  that  acuteness  which  distinguished  him.  "  If  1" 
may  be  permitted  to  speak  in  this  matter,  it  will  be  to  say, 
that  we  have  but  two  things  to  choose  between  :  the  one  is,  to 
return,  and  give  up  all  thoughts  of  following  the  Huron — " 

"  Never!  "  exclaimed  Heyward,  in  a  voice  far  too  ioud  for 
their  circumstances. 

"  Well,  well,"  continued  Hawk-eye,  making  a  hasty  sign 
to  repress  his  impatience  ;  "  I  am  much  of  your  mind  myself  ; 
though  I  thought  it  becoming  my  experience  to  tell  the  whole. 
We  must  then  make  a  push,  and  if  the  Indians  or  Frenchers 
are  in  the  narrors,  run  the  gauntlet  through  these  toppling 
mountains.  Is  there  reason  in  my  words,  Sagamore  ? " 

The  Indian  made  no  other  answer  than  by  dropping  his 
paddle  into  the  water,  and  urging  forward  his  canoe.  As  he 
held  the  office  of  directing  its  course,  his  resolution  was  suf- 
ficiently indicated  by  the  movement.  The  whole  party  now 
plied  their  paddles  vigorously,  and  in  a  very  few  moments 
they  had  reached  a  point  whence  they  might  command  an  en- 
tire view  of  the  northern  shore  of  the  island,  the  side  that  had 
hitherto  been  concealed. 

"There  they  are,  by  all  the  truth  of  signs,"  whispered  the 
scout ;  "  two  canoes  and  a  smoke.  The  knaves  haven't  yet 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  2*9 

got  their  eyes  out  of  the  mist,  or  we  should  hear  the  accursed 
whoop.  Together,  friends, — we  are  leaving  them,  aud  are 
already  nearly  out  of  whistle  of  a  bullet." 

The  well  known  crack  of  a  rifle,  whose  ball  came  skipping 
along  the  placid  surface  of  the  strait,  and  a  shrill  yell  from  the 
island,  interrupted  his  speech,  and  announced  that  their  pas- 
sage  was  discovered.  In  another  instant  several  savages  were 
seen  rushing  into  the  canoes,  which  were  soon  dancing  ovei 
the  water,  in  pursuit.  These  fearful  precursors  of  a  coming 
struggle  produced  no  change  in  the  countenances  and  move- 
ments of  his  three  guides,  so  far  as  Duncan  could  discover, 
except  that  the  strokes  of  their  paddles  were  longer  and  more 
in  unison,  and  caused  the  little  bark  to  spring  forward  like  a 
creature  possessing  life  and  volition. 

"  Hold  them  there,  Sagamore,"  said  Hawk-eye,  looking 
coolly  backward  over  his  left  shoulder,  while  he  still  plied  his 
paddle  ;  "  keep  them  just  there.  Them  Hurons  have  never 
a  piece  in  their  nation  that  will  execute  at  this  distance ;  but 
*  Kill-deer '  has  a  barrel  on  which  a  man  may  calculate." 

The  scout  having  ascertained  that  the  Mohicans  were  suf- 
ficient of  themselves  to  maintain  the  requisite  distance,  de- 
liberately laid  aside  his  paddle  and  raised  the  fatal  rifle. 
Three  several  times  he  brought  the  piece  to  his  shoulder,  and 
when  his  companions  were  expecting  its  report,  he  as  often 
lowered  it  to  request  the  Indians  would  permit  their  enemies 
to  approach  a  little  nigher.  At  length  his  accurate  and  fastid- 
ious eye  seemed  satisfied,  and  throwing  out  his  left  arm  on 
the  barrel,  he  was  slowly  elevating  the  muzzle,  when  an  ex- 
clamation from  Uncas,  who  sat  in  the  bow,  once  more  caused 
him  to  suspend  the  shot. 

"What  now,  lad!"  demanded  Hawk-eye ;  "you  saved  a 
Huron  from  the  death-shriek  by  that  word ;  have  you  reason 
for  what  you  do  ? " 

Uncas  pointed  towards  the  rocky  shore  a  little  in  their 
front,  whence  another  war  canoe  was  darting  directly  across 
their  course.  It  was  too  obvious  now  that  their  situation  was 
imminently  perilous,  to  need  the  aid  of  language  to  confirm  it. 
The  scout  laid  aside  his  rifle,  and  resumed  the  paddle,  while 
Chingachgook  inclined  the  bows  of  the  canoe  a  little  towards 
the  western  shore,  in  order  to  increase  the  distance  between 
them  and  this  new  enemy.  In  the  mean  time  they  were  re- 
minded of  the  presence  of  those  who  pressed  upon  their  rear, 
by  wild  and  exulting  shouts.  The  stirring  scene  awakened 
even  Munro  from  his  apathy. 


f  10  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

"  Let  us  make  for  the  rocks  on  the  main,"  he  said,  witk 
the  mien  of  a  tried  soldier,  "  and  give  battle  to  the  savages. 
God  forbid  that  I,  or  those  attached  to  me  and  mine,  should 
ever  trust  again  to  the  faith  of  any  servant  of  the  Louises !  " 

"  He  who  wishes  to  prosper  in  Indian  warfare,"  returned 
the  scout,  "  must  not  be  too  proud  to  learn  from  the  wit  of  a 
native.  Lay  her  more  along  the  land,  Sagamore  ;  we  are 
doubling  on  the  varlets,  and  perhaps  they  may  try  to  strike 
our  trail  on  the  long  calculation." 

Hawk-eye  was  not  mistaken ;  for  when  the  Hurons  found 
their  course  was  likely  to  throw  them  behind  their  chase,  they 
rendered  it  less  direct  until,  by  gradually  bearing  more  and 
more  obliquely,  the  two  canoes  were,  ere  long,  gliding  on 
parallel  lines,  within  two  hundred  yards  of  each  other.  It 
now  became  entirely  a  trial  of  speed.  So  rapid  was  the  prog- 
ress of  the  light  vessels,  that  the  lake  curled  in  their  front, 
in  miniature  waves,  and  their  motion  became  undulating  by 
its  own  velocity.  It  was,  perhaps,  owing  to  this  circumstance, 
in  addition  to  the  necessity  of  keeping  every  hand  employed 
at  the  paddles,  that  the  Hurons  had  not  immediate  recourse 
to  their  fire-arms.  The  exertions  of  the  fugitives  were  too 
severe  to  continue  long,  and  the  pursuers  had  the  advantage 
of  numbers.  Duncan  observed,  with  uneasiness,  that  the 
scout  began  to  look  anxiously  about  him,  as  if  searching  for 
some  further  means  of  assisting  their  flight. 

"Edge  her  a  little  more  from  the  sun,  Sagamore,"  said  the 
stubborn  woodsman  ;  "  I  see  the  knaves  are  sparing  a  man  to 
the  rifle.  A  single  broken  bone  might  lose  us  our  scalps. 
Edge  more  from  the  sun  and  we  will  put  the  island  be- 
tween us." 

The  expedient  was  not  without  its  use.  A  long,  low  island 
lay  at  a  little  distance  before  them,  and  as  they  closed  with  it, 
the  chasing  canoe  was  compelled  to  take  a  side  opposite  to 
that  on  which  the  pursued  passed.  The  scout  and  his  com- 
panions did  not  neglect  this  advantage,  but  the  instant  they 
were  hid  from  observation  by  the  bushes,  they  redoubled 
efforts  that  before  had  seemed  prodigious.  The  two  canoes 
came  round  the  last  low  point,  like  two  coursers  at  the  top  of 
their  speed,  the  fugitives  taking  the  lead.  This  change  had 
brought  them  nigher  to  each  other,  however,  while  it  altered 
their  relative  positions. 

"You  showed  knowledge  in  the  shaping  of  birchen  bark, 
Uncas,  when  you  choose  this  from  among  the  Huron  canoes," 
said  the  scout,  smiling,  apparently  more  in  satisfaction  at  their 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  Si  I 

superiority  in  the  race,  than  from  that  prospect  of  final  escape 

which  now  began  to  open  a  little  upon  them.  "The  imps 
have  put  all  their  strength  again  at  the  paddles,  and  we  are 
to  struggle  for  our  scalps  with  bits  of  flattened  wood,  instead 
of  clouded  barrels  and  true  eyes.  A  long  stroke,  and  togethei 
friends." 

"  They  are  preparing  for  a  shot,"  said  Heyward  j  "  and  at 
we  are  in  a  line  with  them,  it  can  scarcely  fail." 

"  Get  you  then  into  the  bottom  of  the  canoe,"  returned 
the  scout  ;  "  you  and  the  colonel ;  it  will  be  so  much  taken 
from  the  size  of  the  mark." 

Heyward  smiled,  as  he  answered, — 

"  It  would  be  but  an  ill  example  for  the  highest  in  rank 
to  dodge,  while  the  warriors  were  under  fire !  " 

"  Lord  !  Lord  !  that  is  now  a  white  man's  courage  !  "  ex- 
claimed the  scout ;  "  and  like  too  many  of  his  notions,  not  to 
be  maintained  by  reason.  Do  you  think  the  Sagamore,  or 
Uncas,  or  even  I,  who  am  a  man  without  a  cross,  would  delib- 
erate about  finding  a  cover  in  the  skrimmage,  when  an  open 
body  would  do  good  ?  For  what  have  the  Frenchers  reared 
up  their  Quebec,  if  fighting  is  always  to  be  done  in  the  clear- 
ings ? " 

"  All  that  you  say  is  very  true,  my  friend,"  replied  Hey- 
ward ;  "  still,  our  customs  must  prevent  us  from  doing  as  you 
wish." 

A  volley  from  the  Hurons  interrupted  the  discourse,  and 
as  the  bullets  whistled  about  them,  Duncan  saw  the  head  of 
Uncas  turned,  looking  back  at  himself  and  Munro.  Not- 
withstanding the  nearness  of  the  enemy,  and  his  own  great 
personal  danger,  the  countenance  of  the  young  warrior  ex- 
pressed no  other  emotion,  as  the  former  was  compelled  to 
think,  than  amazement  at  finding  men  willing  to  encounter 
so  useless  an  exposure.  Chingachgook  was  probably  better 
acquainted  with  the  notions  of  white  men,  for  he  did  not  even 
cast  a  glance  aside  from  the  riveted  look  his  eye  maintained 
on  the  object  by  which  he  governed  their  course.  A  ball  soon 
struck  the  light  and  polished  paddle  from  the  hands  of  the 
chief,  and  drove  it  through  the  air,  far  in  the  advance.  A 
shout  arose  from  the  Hurons,  who  seized  the  opportunity  to 
fire  another  volley.  Uncas  described  an  arc  in  the  water  with 
his  own  blade,  and  as  the  canoe  passed  swiftly  on,  Chingach- 
gook recovered  his  paddle,  and  flourishing  it  on  high,  he  gave 
the  vrarwhoop  of  the  Mohicans,  and  then  lent  his  strength  and 
skill  again  to  the  important  task. 


2I2  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

The  clamorous  sounds  of  "  Le  gros  Serpent  1 "  "  La  longua 
Carabine  ! "  "  Le  Cerf  agile  !  "  burst  at  once  from  the  canoes 
behind,  and  seemed  to  give  new  zeal  to  the  pursuers.  The 
scout  seized  "  Kill-deer "  in  his  left  hand,  and  elevating  it 
above  his  head,  he  shook  it  in  triumph  at  his  enemies.  The 
savages  answered  the  insult  with  a  yell,  and  immediately 
another  volley  succeeded.  The  bullets  pattered  along  the 
lake,  and  one  even  pierced  the  bark  of  their  little  vessel.  No 
perceptible  emotion  could  be  discovered  in  the  Mohicans 
during  this  critical  moment,  their  rigid  features  expressing 
neither  hope  nor  alarm  ;  but  the  scout  again  turned  his  head, 
and  laughing  in  his  own  silent  manner,  he  said  to  Heyward, — 

"  The  knaves  love  to  hear  the  sound  of  their  pieces ;  but 
the  eye  is  not  to  be  found  among  the  Mingoes  that  can  calcu- 
late a  true  range  in  a  dancing  canoe !  You  see  the  dumb 
devils  have  taken  off  a  man  to  charge,  and  by  the  smallest 
measurement  that  can  be  allowed,  we  move  three  feet  to  their 
two  ! " 

Duncan,  who  was  not  altogether  as  easy  under  this  nice 
estimate  of  distance  as  his  companions,  was  glad  to  find,  how- 
ever, that  owing  to  their  superior  dexterity,  and  the  diversion 
among  their  enemies,  they  were  very  sensibly  obtaining  the 
advantage.  The  Hurons  soon  fired  again,  and  a  bullet  struck 
the  blade  of  Hawk-eye's  paddle  without  injury. 

"  That  will  do,"  said  the  scout,  examining  the  slight 
indentation  with  a  curious  eye ;  "  it  would  not  have  cut  the 
skin  of  an  infant,  much  less  of  men,  who,  like  us,  have  been 
blown  upon  by  the  Heavens  in  their  anger.  Now,  Major,  if 
you  will  try  to  use  this  piece  of  flattened  wood,  I'll  let  *  Kill- 
deer  *  take  a  part  in  the  conversation." 

Heyward  seized  the  paddle,  and  applied  himself  to  the 
work  with  an  eagerness  that  supplied  the  place  of  skill,  while 
Hawk-eye  was  engaged  in  inspecting  the  priming  of  his  rifle. 
The  latter  then  took  a  swift  aim,  and  fired.  The  Huron  in 
the  bows  of  the  leading  canoe  had  risen  with  a  similar  object, 
and  he  now  fell  backward,  suffering  his  gun  to  escape  from 
his  hands  into  the  water.  In  an  instant,  however,  he  recov- 
ered his  feet,  though  his  gestures  were  wild  and  bewildered. 
At  the  same  moment  his  companions  suspended  their  efforts, 
and  the  chasing  canoes  clustered  together,  and  became  sta« 
tionary.  Chingachgook  and  Uncas  profited  by  the  interval 
to  regain  their  wind,  though  Duncan  continued  to  work  with 
the  most  persevering  industry.  The  father  and  son  now  cast 
calm  but  inquiring  glances  at  each  other,  to  learn  if  eithe/ 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  213 

had  sustained  any  injury  by  the  fire  ;  for  both  well  knew  that 
no  cry  or  exclamation  would,  in  such  a  moment  of  necessity, 
have  been  permitted  to  betray  the  accident.  A  few  large 
drops  of  blood  were  trickling  down  the  shoulder  of  the  Saga- 
more, who,  when  he  perceived  that  the  eyes  of  Uncas  dwelt 
too  long  on  the  sight,  raised  some  water  in  the  hollow  of  his 
hand,  and  washing  off  the  stain,  was  content  to  manifest,  in 
this  simple  manner,  the  slightness  of  the  injury. 

"  Softly,  softly,  Major,"  said  the  scout,  who  by  this  time 
had  reloaded  his  rifle  ;  "  we  are  a  little  too  far  already  for  a 
rifle  to  put  forth  its  beauties,  and  you  see  yonder  imps  are 
holding  a  council.  Let  them  come  up  within  striking  dis- 
tance— my  eye  may  well  be  trusted  in  such  a  matter — and  I 
will  trail  the  varlets  the  length  of  the  Horican,  guaranteeing 
that  not  a  shot  of  theirs  shall,  at  the  worst,  more  than  break 
the  skin,  while  '  Kill-deer '  shall  touch  the  life  twice  in  three 
times." 

"  We  forget  our  errand,"  returned  the  diligent  Duncan. 
"  For  God's  sake  let  us  profit  by  this  advantage,  and  increase 
our  distance  from  the  enemy." 

"  Give  me  my  children,"  said  Munro,  hoarsely  ;  "trifle  no 
longer  with  a  father's  agony,  but  restore  me  my  babes." 

Long  and  habitual  deference  to  the  mandates  of  his  su- 
perior had  taught  the  scout  the  virtue  of  obedience.  Throw- 
ing a  last  and  lingering  glance  at  the  distant  canoes,  he  laid 
aside  his  rifle,  and  relieving  the  wearied  Duncan,  resumed 
the  paddle,  which  he  wielded  with  sinews  that  never  tired. 
His  efforts  were  seconded  by  those  of  the  Mohicans,  and  a 
very  few  minutes  served  to  place  such  a  sheet  of  water  be- 
tween them  and  their  enemies,  that  Heyward  once  more 
breathed  freely. 

The  lake  now  began  to  expand,  and  their  route  lay  along 
9.  wide  reach,  that  was  lined,  as  before,  by  high  and  ragged 
mountains.  But  the  islands  were  few,  and  easily  avoided. 
The  strokes  of  the  paddles  grew  more  measured  and  regular, 
while  they  who  plied  them  continued  their  labor,  after  the 
close  and  deadly  chase  from  which  they  had  just  relieved 
themselves,  with  as  much  coolness  as  though  their  speed  had 
been  tried  in  sport,  rather  than  under  such  pressing,  nay, 
almost  desperate  circumstances. 

Instead  of  following  the  western  shore  whither  their 
errand  led  them,  the  wary  Mohican  inclined  his  course  more 
towards  those  hills  behind  which  Montcalm  was  known  to 
have  led  his  army  into  the  formidable  fortress  of  Ticonderoga 


t  j4  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

As  the  Huions,  to  every  appearance,  had  abandoned  the 
pursuit,  there  was  no  apparent  reason  for  this  excess  of  cau- 
tion. It  was,  however,  maintained  for  hours,  until  they  had 
reached  a  bay,  nigh  the  northern  termination  of  the  lake. 
Here  the  canoe  was  driven  upon  the  beach,  and  the  whole 
party  landed.  Hawk-eye  and  Heyward  ascended  an  adjacent 
bluff,  where  the  former,  after  considering  the  expanse  of 
water  beneath  him,  pointed  out  to  the  latter  a  small  black 
object,  hovering  under  a  headland,  at  the  distance  of  several 
miles. 

"  Do  you  see  it  ?  "  demanded  the  scout.  ''  Now,  what 
would  you  account  that  spot,  were  you  left  alone  to  white 
experience  to  find  your  way  through  this  wilderness  ?  " 

"  But  for  its  distance  and  its  magnitude,  I  should  suppose 
it  a  bird.  Can  it  be  a  living  object  ?  " 

"  Tis  a  canoe  of  good  birchen  bark,  and  paddled  by 
fierce  and  crafty  Mingoes.  Though  Providence  has  lent  to 
those  who  inhabit  the  woods  eyes  that  would  be  needless  to 
men  in  the  settlements,  where  there  are  inventions  to  assist 
the  sight,  yet  no  human  organs  can  see  all  the  dangers  which 
at  this  moment  circumvent  us.  These  varlets  pretend  to  be 
bent  chiefly  on  their  sun-down  meal,  but  the  moment  it  is 
dark  they  will  be  on  our  trail,  as  true  as  hounds  on  the  scent. 
We  must  throw  them  off,  or  our  pursuit  of  Le  Renard  Subtil 
may  be  given  up.  These  lakes  are  useful  at  times,  especially 
when  the  game  takes  the  water,"  continued  the  scout,  gazing 
about  him  with  a  countenance  of  concern ,  "  but  they  give 
no  cover,  except  it  be  to  the  fishes.  God  knows  what  the 
country  would  be,  if  the  settlements  should  ever  spread  far 
from  the  two  rivers.  Both  hunting  and  war  would  lose  their 
beauty." 

"  Let  us  not  delay  a  moment,  without  some  good  and  ob- 
vious cause." 

"  I  little  like  that  smoke,  which  you  may  see  worming  up 
along  the  rock  above  the  canoe,"  interrupted  the  abstracted 
scout.  "  My  life  on  it,  other  eyes  than  ours  see  it,  and  know 
its  meaning.  Well,  words  will  not  mend  the  matter,  and  it  is 
time  that  we  were  doing." 

Hawk-eye  moved  away  from  the  look-out,  and  descended, 
musing  profoundly,  to  the  shore.  He  communicated  the  re- 
sult of  his  observations  to  his  companions,  in  Delaware,  and 
a  short  and  earnest  consultation  succeeded.  When  it  termi 
nated,  the  three  instantly  set  about  executing  their  new  reso 
lutions. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  215 

The  canoe  was  lifted  from  the  water,  and  borne  on  the 
shoulders  Qf  the  party.  They  proceeded  into  the  wood, 
making  as  broad  and  obvious  a  trail  as  possible.  They  soon 
reached  a  water-course,  which  they  crossed,  and  continued 
onward,  until  they  came  to  an  extensive  and  naked  rock.  At 
this  point,  where  their  footsteps  might  be  expected  to  be  no 
longer  visible,  they  retraced  their  route  to  the  brook,  walking 
backwards,  with  the'  utmost  care.  They  now  followed  the 
bed  of  the  little  stream  to  the  lake,  into  which  they  immedi- 
ately launched  their  canoe  again.  A  low  point  concealed 
them  from  the  headland,  and  the  margin  of  the  lake  was 
fringed  for  some  distance  with  dense  and  over-hanging  bushes. 
Under  the  cover  of  these  natural  advantages,  they  toiled  their 
way,  with  patient  industry,  until  the  scout  pronounced  that  he 
believed  it  would  be  safe  once  more  to  land. 

The  halt  continued  until  evening  rendered  objects  in- 
distinct and  uncertain  to  the  eye.  Then  they  resumed  their 
route,  and,  favored  by  the  darkness,  pushed  silently  and  vig- 
orously towards  the  western  shore.  Although  the  rugged  out- 
line of  mountain,  to  which  they  were  steering,  presented  no 
distinctive  marks  to  the  eyes  of  Duncan,  the  Mohican  en- 
tered the  little  haven  he  had  selected  with  the  confidence  and 
accuracy  of  an  experienced  pilot. 

The  boat  faas  again  lifted  and  borne  into  th£  woods, 
where  it  was  carefully  concealed  under  a  pile  of  brush.  The 
adventurers  assumed  their  arms  and  packs,  and  the  scout 
announced  to  Munro  and  Heyward  that  he  and  the  Indians 
were  at  last  in  readiness  to  proceed. 


CHAPTER  V. 

If  you  find  a  man  there,  he  shail  die  a  flea's  death. 

MERRY  WIVES  OF  WINDSOR. 

THE  party  had  landed  on  the  border  of  a  region  that  is, 
even  to  this  day,  less  known  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  states, 
than  the  deserts  of  Arabia,  or  the  steppes  of  Tartary.  It 
was  the  sterile  and  rugged  district  which  separates  the  tribu- 
taries of  Champlain  from  those  of  the  Hudson,  the  Mohawk, 


2i6  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

and  the  St.  Lawrence.  Since  the  period  of  our  tale,  the 
active  spirit  of  the  country  has  surrounded  it  with  a  belt  of 
rich  and  thriving  settlements,  though  none  but  the  hunter  or 
the  savage  is  ever  known,  even  now,  to  penetrate  its  wild  re- 
cesses. 

As  Hawk-eye  and  the  Mohicans  had,  however,  often  trav- 
ersed the  mountains  and  valleys  of  this  vast  wilderness,  they 
did  not  hesitate  to  plunge  into  its  depth's,  with  the  freedom 
of  men  accustomed  to  its  privations  and  difficulties.  For 
many  hours  the  travellers  toiled  on  their  laborious  way,  guided 
by  a  star,  or  following  the  direction  of  some  water-course, 
until  the  scout  called  a  halt,  and  holding  a  short  consultation 
with  the  Indians,  they  lighted  their  fire,  and  made  the  usual 
preparations  to  pass  the  remainder  of  the  night  where  they 
then  were. 

Imitating  the  example,  and  emulating  the  confidence,  of 
their  more  experienced  associates,  Munro  and  Duncan  slept 
without  fear,  if  not  without  uneasiness.  The  dews  were 
suffered  to  exhale,  and  the  sun  had  dispersed  the  mists,  and 
was  shedding  a  strong  and  clear  light  in  the  forest,  when  the 
travellers  resumed  their  journey. 

After  proceeding  a  few  miles,  the  progress  of  Hawk-eye, 
who  led  the  advance,  became  more  deliberate  and  watchful. 
He  often  stopped  to  examine  the  trees ;  not  did  he  cross 
a  rivulet,  without  attentively  considering  the  quantity,  the 
velocity,  and  the  color  of  its  waters.  Distrusting  his  own 
judgment,  his  appeals  to  the  opinion  of  Chingachgook  were 
frequent  and  earnest.  During  one  of  these  conferences, 
Heyward  observed  that  Uncas  stood  a  patient  and  silent, 
though,  as  he  imagined,  an  interested  listener.  He  was 
strongly  attempted  to  address  the  young  chief,  and  demand 
his  opinion  of  their  progress  ;  but  the  calm  and  dignified 
demeanor  of  the  native  induced  him  to  believe  that,  like  him- 
self, the  other  was  wholly  dependent  on  the  sagacity  and  in- 
telligence of  the  seniors  of  the  party.  At  last,  the  scout  spoke 
in  English,  and  at  once  explained  the  embarrassment  of  their 
situation. 

"  When  I  found  that  the  home  path  of  the  Hurons  run 
north,"  he  said,  "it  did  not  need  the  judgment  of  many  long 
years  to  tell  that  they  would  follow  the  valleys,  and  keep 
atween  the  waters  of  the  Hudson  and  the  Horican,  until  they 
might  strike  the  springs  of  the  Canada  streams,  which  would 
lead  them  into  the  heart  of  the  country  of  the  Frenchers. 
Yet  here  are  we,  within  a  short  range  of  the  Scaroon,  and 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


217 


not  a  sign  of  a  trail  have  we  crossed  !  Human  natur'  is 
weak,  and  it  is  possible  we  may  not  have  taken  the  proper 
scent." 

"  Heaven  protect  us  from  such  an  error  1 "  exclaimed 
Duncan.  "  Let  us  retrace  our  steps,  and  examine  as  we  go 
with  keener  eyes.  Has  Uncas  no  council  to  offer  in  such  a 
strait  ?  " 

The  young  Mohican  cast  a  glance  at  his  father,  but  main- 
taining his  quiet  and  reserved  mien,  he  continued  silent. 
Chingachgook  had  caught  the  look,  and  motioning  with  his 
hand,  he  bade  him  speak.  The  moment  this  permission  was 
accorded,  the  countenance  of  Uncas  changed  from  its  grave 
composure  to  a  gleam  of  intelligence  and  joy.  Bounding 
forward  like  a  deer,  he  sprang  up  the  side  of  a  little  acclivity, 
a  few  rods  in  advance,  and  stood,  exultingly,  over  a  spot  of 
fresh  earth,  that  looked  as  though  it  had  been  recently  up- 
turned by  the  passage  of  some  heavy  animal.  The  eyes  of 
the  whole  party  followed  the  unexpected  movement,  and  read 
their  success  in  the  air  of  triumph  that  the  youth  assumed. 

"  'Tis  the  trail,"  exclaimed  the  scout,  advancing  to  the 
spot ;  "  the  lad  is  quick  of  sight  and  keen  of  wit  for  his 
years." 

"'Tis  extraordinary  that  he  should  have  withheld  his 
knowledge  so  long,"  muttered  Duncan,  at  his  elbow. 

"  It  would  have  been  more  wonderful  had  he  spoken  with- 
out a  bidding.  No,  no  ;  your  young  white,  who  gathers  his 
learning  from  books  and  can  measure  what  he  knows  by  the 
page,  may  conceit  that  his  knowledge,  like  his  legs,  outruns 
that  of  his  father ;  but  where  experience  is  the  master,  the 
scholar  is  made  to  know  the  value  of  years,  and  respects  them 
accordingly." 

"See!""  said  Uncas,  pointing  north  and  south,  at  the 
evident  marks  of  the  broad  trail  on  either  side  of  him  ;  "  the 
dark -hair  has  gone  towards  the  frost." 

"  Hound  never  ran  on  a  more  beautiful  scent,"  responded 
the  scout,  dashing  forward,  at  once,  on  the  indicated  route  j 
"  we  are  favored,  greatly  favored,  and  can  follow  with  high 
noses.  Ay,  here  are  both  your  waddling  beasts  ;  this  Huron 
travels  like  a  white  general.  The  fellow  is  stricken  with  a 
judgment,  and  is  mad  !  Look  sharp  for  wheels,  Sagamore," 
he  continued,  looking  back,  and  laughing  in  his  newly  awak- 
ened satisfaction  ;  "  we  shall  have  the  fool  journeying  in  a 
coach,  and  that  with  three  of  the  best  pair  of  eyes  on  the  bor 
ders,  in  his  rear." 


218  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

The  spirits  of  the  scout,  and  the  astonishing  success  of  the 
chase,  in  which  a  circuitous  distance  of  more  than  forty  miles 
had  been  passed,  did  not  fail  to  impart  a  portion  of  hope  to 
the  whole  party.  Their  advance  was  rapid ;  and  made  with 
as  much  confidence  as  a  traveller  would  proceed  along  a  wide 
highway.  If  a  rock,  or  a  rivulet,  or  a  bit  of  earth  harder  than 
common,  severed  the  links  of  the  clue  they  followed,  the  true 
eye  of  the  scout  recovered  them  at  a  distance,  and  seldom 
rendered  the  delay  of  a  single  moment  necessary.  Their  prog- 
ress was  much  facilitated  by  the  certainty  that  Magua  had 
found  it  necessary  to  journey  through  the  valleys  ;  a  circum- 
stance which  rendered  the  general  direction  of  the  route  sure. 
Nor  had  the  Huron  entirely  neglected  the  arts  uniformly 
practised  by  the  native  when  retiring  in  front  of  an  enemy. 
False  trails,  and  sudden  turnings,  were  frequent,  wherever  a 
brook,  or  the  formation  of  the  ground,  rendered  them  feasible  •, 
but  his  pursuers  were  rarely  deceived,  and  never  failed  to  de- 
tect their  error,  before  they  had  lost  either  time  or  distance 
on  the  deceptive  track. 

By  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  they  had  passed  the  Sca- 
roon,  and  were  following  the  route  of  the  declining  sun.  After 
descending  an  eminence  to  a  low  bottom,  through  which  a  swift 
stream  glided,  they  suddenly  came  to  a  place  where  the  party 
of  Le  Renard  had  made  a  halt.  Extinguished  brands  were 
lying  around  a  spring,  the  offals  of  a  deer  were  scattered 
about  the  place,  and  the  trees  bore  evident  marks  of  having 
been  browsed  by  the  horses.  At  a  little  distance,  Heyward 
discovered,  and  contemplated  with  tender  emotion,  the  small 
bower  under  which  he  was  fain  to  believe  that  Cora  and  Alice 
had  reposed.  But  while  the  earth  was  trodden,  and  the  foot- 
steps of  both  men  and  beasts  were  so  plainly  visible  around 
the  place,  the  trail  appeared  to  have  suddenly  ended. 

It  was  easy  to  follow  the  tracks  of  the  Narragansetts,  but 
they  seemed  only  to  have  wandered  without  guides,  or  any 
other  object  than  the  pursuit  of  food.  At  length  Uncas,  who, 
with  his  father,  had  endeavored  to  trace  the  route  of  the 
horses,  came  upon  a  sign  of  their  presence  that  was  quite 
recent.  Before  following  the  clue,  he  communicated  his  suc- 
cess to  his  companions  ;  and  while  the  latter  were  consulting 
on  the  circumstance,  the  youth  reappeared,  leading  the  two 
fillies,  with  their  saddles  broken,  and  the  housings  soiled, 
as  though  they  had  been  permitted  to  run  at  will  for  several 
days. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


219 


"What  should  this  prove?  "said  Duncan,  turning  pale, 
and  glancing  his  eyes  around  him,  as  if  he  feared  the  brush 
and  leaves  were  about  to  give  up  some  horrid  secret. 

"  That  our  march  is  come  to  a  quick  end,  and  that  we  are 
in  an  enemy's  country,"  returned  the  scout.  "  Had  the 
knaves  been  pressed,  and  the  gentle  ones  wanted  horses  to 
keep  up  with  the  party,  he  might  have  taken  their  scalps ; 
but  without  an  enemy  at  his  heels,  and  with  such  ragged 
beasts  as  these,  he  would  not  hurt  a  hair  of  their  heads.  I 
know  your  thoughts,  and  shame  be  it  to  our  color,  that  you 
have  reason  for  them  ;  but  he  who  thinks  that  even  a  Mingo 
would  ill-treat  a  woman,  unless  it  be  to  tomahawk  her.  knows 
nothing  of  Indian  natur',  or  the  law  of  the  woods.  No,  no  \ 
I  have  heard  that  the  French  Indians  had  come  into  these 
hills,  to  hunt  the  moose,  and  we  are  getting  within  scent  of 
their  camp.  Why  should  they  not  ?  the  morning  and  evening 
guns  of  Ty  may  be  heard  any  day  among  these  mountains  \ 
for  the  Frenchers  are  running  a  new  line  atween  the  prov- 
inces of  the  King  and  the  Canadas.  It  is  true  that  the  horses 
are  here,  but  the  Hurons  are  gone  ;  let  us  hunt  for  the  path 
by  which  they  departed." 

Hawk-eye  and  the  Mohican  now  applied  themselves  to 
their  task  in  good  earnest.  A  circle  of  a  few  hundred  feet  in 
circumference  was  drawn,  and  each  of  the  party  took  a  seg- 
ment for  his  portion.  The  examination,  however,  resulted  in 
no  discovery.  The  impressions  of  footsteps  were  numerous, 
but  they  all  appeared  like  those  of  men  who  had  wandered 
about  the  spot,  without  any  design  to  quit  it.  Again  the  scout 
and  his  companions  made  the  circuit  of  the  halting-place,  each 
slowly  following  the  other,  until  they  assembled  in  the  centre 
once  more,  no  wiser  than  when  they  started. 

"  Such  cunning  is  not  without  its  deviltry,"  exclaimed 
Hawk-eye,  when  he  met  the  disappointed  looks  of  his  assist- 
ants. 

**  We  must  get  down  to  it,  Sagamore,  beginning  at  the 
spring,  and  going  over  the  ground  by  inches.  The  Huron 
shall  never  brag  in  his  tribe  that  he  has  a  foot  which  leaves  no 
print." 

Setting  the  example  himself,  the  scout  engaged  in  the 
scrutiny  with  renewed  zeal.  Not  a  leaf  was  left  unturned. 
The  sticks  were  .removed,  and  the  stones  lifted — for  Indian 
cunning  was  known  frequently  to  adopt  these  objects  as  covers, 
labor"  ig  with  the  utmost  patience  and  industry,  to  conceal 
(ootstep  as  they  proceeded.  Still  no  discovery  was 


1 20  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICAN'S. 

made.  At  length  Uncas,  whose  activity  had  enabled  him  to 
achieve  his  portion  of  the  task  the  soonest,  raked  the  earth 
across  the  turbid  little  rill  which  ran  from  the  spring,  and  di- 
verted its  course  into  another  channel.  So  soon  as  its  narrow 
bed  below  the  dam  was  dry,  he  stooped  over  it  with  keen  and 
curious  eyes.  A  cry  of  exultation  immediately  announced  the 
success  of  the  young  warrior.  The  whole  party  crowded  to 
the  spot,  where  Uncas  pointed  out  the  impression  of  a  moo 
casin  in  the  moist  alluvium. 

"  The  lad  will  be  an  honor  to  his  people,"  said  Hawk-eye, 
regarding  the  trial  with  as  much  admiration  as  a  naturalist 
would  spend  on  the  tusk  of  a  mammoth,  or  the  rib  of  a  mas- 
todon ;  "  ay,  and  a  thorn  in  the  sides  of  the  Hurons.  Yet 
that  is  not  the  footstep  of  an  Indian  !  the  weight  is  too  much 
on  the  heel,  and  the  toes  are  squared,  as  though  one  of  the 
French  dancers  had  been  in,  pigeon-winging  his  tribe  !  Run 
back,  Uncas,  and  bring  me  the  size  of  the  singer's  foot.  You 
will  find  a  beautiful  print  of  it  just  opposite  yon  rock,  ag'in 
the  hill-side." 

While  the  youth  was  engaged  in  this  commission,  the 
scout  and  Chingachgook  were  attentively  considering  the  im- 
pressions. The  measurements  agreed,  and  the  former  unhesi- 
tatingly pronounced  that  the  footstep  was  that  of  David,  who 
had,  once  more,  been  made  to  exchange  his  shoes  for  moc- 
casins. 

"  I  can  now  read  the  whole  of  it,  as  plainly  as  if  I  had 
seen  the  arts  of  Le  Subtil,"  he  added  ;  "  the  singer  being  a 
man  whose  gifts  lay  chiefly  in  his  throat  and  feet,  was  made 
to  go  first,  and  the  others  have  trod  in  his  steps,  imitating 
their  formation." 

"  But,"  cried  Duncan,  "  I  see  no  signs  of — " 
"  The  gentle    ones,""  interrupted  the  scout ;  "  the  varlet 
has  found  a  way  to   carry  them,  until    he  supposed  he  had 
thrown  any  followers  off  the  scent.     My  life  on  it,  we  see 
their  pretty  little  feet  again,  before  many  rods  go  by." 

The  whole  party  now  proceeded,  following  the  course  ol 
the  rill,  keeping  anxious  eyes  on  the  regular  impressions. 
The  water  soon  flowed  into  its  bed  again,  but  watching  the 
ground  on  either  side,  the  foresters  pursued  their  way,  content 
with  knowing  that  the  trail  lay  beneath.  More  than  half  a 
mile  was  passed  before  the  rill  rippled  close  around  the  base 
of  an  extensive  and  dry  rock.  Here  they  paused  to  make 
sure  that  the  Hurons  had  not  quitted  the  water.- 

It  was  fortunate  they  did  so.     For  the  quick  and  active 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  ui 

Uncas  soon  found  the  impression  of  a  foot  on  a  bunch  ot 
moss,  where  it  would  seem  an  Indian  had  inadvertently  trod- 
den. Pursuing  the  direction  given  by  this  discovery  he  en- 
tered the  neighboting  thicket,  and  struck  the  trail,  as  fresh  and 
obvious  as  it  had  been  before  they  reached  the  spring. 
Another  shout  announced  the  good  fortune  of  the  youth  to 
his  companions,  and  at  once  terminated  the  search. 

"  Ay,  it  has  been  planned  with  Indian  judgment,"  said  the 
scout,  when  the  party  was  assembled  around  the  place  ;  "  and 
would  have  blinded  white  eyes." 

"  Shall  we  proceed  ?  "  demanded  Heyward. 

"  Softly,  softly !  we  know  our  path  ;  but  it  is  good  to  ex- 
amine the  formation  of  things.  This  is  my  schooling,  major  ; 
and  if  one  neglects  the  book,  there  is  little  chance  of  learning 
from  the  open  hand  of  Providence.  All  is  plain  but  one  thing, 
which  is  the  manner  that  the  knave  contrived  to  get  the  gentle 
ones  along  the  blind  trail.  Even  a  Huron  would  be  too 
proud  to  let  their  tender  feet  touch  the  water." 

"Will  this  assist  in  explaining  the  difficulty  ?  "  said  Hey 
ward,  pointing  towards  the  fragments  of  a  sort  of  handbarrow, 
that  had  been  rudely  constructed  of  boughs,  and  bound  to- 
gether with  withes,  and  which  now  seemed  carelessly  cast 
aside  as  useless. 

"  Tis  explained  !  "  cried  the  delighted  Hawk-eye.  "  If 
them  varlets  have  passed  a  minute,  they  have  spent  hours  in 
striving  to  fabricate  a  lying  end  to  their  trail !  Well,  I've 
known  them  waste  a  day  *n  the  same  manner,  to  as  little  pur- 
pose. Here  we  have  three  pair  of  moccasins,  and  two  of 
little  feet.  It  is  amazing  that  any  mortal  beings  can  journey 
on  limbs  so  small !  Pass  me  the  thong  of  buckskin,  Uncas, 
and  let  me  take  the  length  of  this  foot.  By  the  Lord,  it  is  no 
longer  than  a  child's,  and  yet  the  maidens  are  tall  and  comely. 
That  Providence  is  partial  in  its  gifts,  for  its  own  wise  reasons, 
the  best  and  most  contented  of  us  must  allow." 

**  The  tender  limbs  of  my  daughters  are  unequal  to  these 
hardships,"  said  Munro,  looking  at  the  light  footsteps  of  his 
children,  with  a  parent's  love:  "we  shall  find  their  fainting 
forms  in  this  desert." 

"  Of  that  there  is  little  cause  of  fear,"  returned  the  scout, 
slowly  shaking  his  head  ;  "  this  is  a  firm  and  straight,  though  a 
light  step,  and  not  over  long.  See,  the  heel  has  hardly  touched 
the  ground  ;  and  there  the  dark-hair  has  made  a  little  jump, 
from  root  to  root.  No,  no ;  my  knowledge  for  it,  neither  of 
them  was  nigh  fainting,  hereaway.  Now,  the  singer  was  be^ 


222  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

ginning  to  be  foot-sore  and  leg-weary,  as  is  plain  by  his  trail. 
There,  you  see,  he  slipped  ;  here  he  has  travelled  wide,  and 
tottered  ;  and  there,  again,  it  looks  as  though  he  journeyed  on 
snow-shoes.  Ay,  ay,  a  man  who  uses  his  .throat  altogether, 
can  hardly  give  his  legs  a  proper  training." 

From  such  undeniable  testimony,  did  the  practised  woods- 
man arrive  at  the  truth,  with  nearly  as  much  certainty  and 
precision  as  if  he  had  been  a  witness  of  all  those  events,  which 
his  ingenuity  so  easily  elucidated.  Cheered  by  these  assur- 
ances, and  satisfied  by  a  reasoning  that  was  so  "obvious,  while 
it  was  so  simple,  the  party  resumed  its  course,  after  making  a 
short  halt,  to  take  a  hurried  repast. 

When  the  meal  was  ended,  the  scout  cast  a  glance  upwards 
at  the  setting  sun,  and  pushed  forward  with  a  rapidity  which 
compelled  Heyward  and  the  si  ill  vigorous  Munro  to  exert  all 
their  muscles  to  equal.  Their  route,  now,  lay  along  the  bottom 
which  has  already  been  mentioned.  As  the  Hurons  had  made 
no  further  efforts  to  conceal  their  footsteps,  the  progress  of 
the  pursuers  was  no  longer  delayed  by  uncertainty.  Before 
an  hour  had  elapsed,  however,  the  speed  of  Hawk-eye  sensibly 
abated,  and  his  head,  instead  of  maintaining  its  former  direct 
and  forward  look,  began  to  turn  suspiciously  from  side  to  side, 
as  if  he  were  conscious  of  approaching  danger.  He  soon 
stopped  again  and  waited  for  the  whole  party  to  come  up. 

"  I  scent  the  Hurons,"  he  said,  speaking  to  the  Mohicans  ; 
"  yonder  is  open  sky  through  the  tree-tops,  and  we  are  getting 
too  nigh  their  encampment.  Sagamore,  you  will  take  the 
hill-side,  to  the  right ;  Uncas  will  bend  along  the  brook  to  the 
left,  while  I  will  try  the  trail.  If  anything  should  happen,  the 
call  will  be  three  croaks  of  a  crow.  I  saw  one  of  the  birds 
fanning  himself  in  the  air,  just  beyond  the  dead  oak — an- 
other sign  that  we  are  touching  an  encampment." 

The  Indians  departed  their  several  ways  without  reply, 
while  Hawk-eye  cautiously  proceeded  with  the  two  gentlemen. 
Heyward  soon  pressed  to  the  side  of  their  guide,  eager  to 
catch  an  early  glimpse  of  those  enemies  he  had  pursued  with 
so  much  toil  and  anxiety.  His  companion  told  him  to  steal 
to  the  edge  of  the  wood,  which,  as  usual  was  fringed  with  a 
thicket,  and  wait  his  coming,  for  he  wished  to  examine  certain 
suspicious  signs  a  little  on  one  side.  Duncan  obeyed,  and 
soon  found  himself  in  a  situation  to  command  a  view  which 
he  found  as  extraordinary  as  it  was  novel. 

The  trees  of  many  acres  had  been  felled,  and  the  glow  of 
a  mild  summer's  evening  had  fallen  on  the  clearing,  in  beau< 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  223 

tiful  contrast  to  the  gray  light  of  the  forest.  A  short  distance 
from  the  place  where  Duncan  stood,  the  stream  had  seemingly 
expanded  into  a  little  lake,  covering  most  of  the  low  land, 
from  mountain  to  mountain.  The  water  fell  out  of  this  wide 
basin,  in  a  cataract  so  regular  and  gentle,  that  it  appeared 
rather  to  be  the  work  of  human  hands,  than  fashioned  by 
nature.  A  hundred  earthen  dwellings  stood  on  the  margin  of 
the  lake,  and  even  in  its  water,  as  though  the  latter  had  over- 
flowed its  usual  banks.  Their  rounded  roofs,  admirably 
moulded  for  defence  against  the  weather,  denoted  more  of  in- 
dustry and  foresight  than  the  natives  were  wont  to  bestow  on 
their  regular  habitations,  much  less  on  those  they  occupied 
for  the  temporary  purposes  of  hunting  and  war.  In  short,  the 
whole  village  or  town,  whichever  it  might  be  termed,  possessed 
more  of  method  and  neatness  of  execution  than  the  white 
men  had  been  accustomed  to  believe  belonged,  ordinarily,  to 
the  Indian  habits.  It  appeared,  however,  to  be  deserted. 
At  least,  so  thought  Duncan  for  many  minutes  ;  but  at  length 
he  fancied  he  discovered  several  human  forms  advancing 
towards  him  on  all-tours,  and  apparently  dragging  in  their 
train  some  heavy,  and  as  he  was  quick  to  apprehend,  some 
formidable  engine.  Just  then  a  few  dark-looking  heads 
gleamed  out  of  the  dwellings,  and  the  place  seemed  suddenly 
alive  with  beings,  which,  however,  glided  from  cover  to  cover 
so  swiftly  as  to  allow  no  opportunity  of  examining  their 
humors  or  pursuits.  Alarmed  at  these  suspicious  and  inex- 
plicable movements,  he  was  about  to  attempt  the  signal  of 
the  crows,  when  the  rustling  of  leaves  at  hand  drew  his  eyes 
in  another  direction. 

The  young  man  started,  and  recoiled  a  few  paces  instinc- 
tively, when  he  found  himself  within  a  hundred  yards  of  a 
stranger  Indian.  Recovering  his  recollection  on  the  instant, 
instead  of  sounding  an  alarm,  which  might  prove  fatal  to 
himself,  he  remained  stationary,  an  attentive  observer  of  the 
other's  motions. 

An  instant  of  calm  observation  served  to  assure  Duncan 
that  he  was  undiscovered.  The  native,  like  himself,  seemed 
occupied  in  considering  the  low  dwellings  of  the  village,  and 
the  stolen  movements  of  its  inhabitants.  It  was  impossible 
to  discover  the  expression  of  his  features,  through  the  grotesque 
mask  of  paint  under  which  they  were  concealed  ;  though 
Duncan  fancied  it  was  rather  melancholy  than  savage.  His 
head  was  shaved  as  usual,  with  the  exception  of  the  crown, 
from  whose  tuft  three  or  four  faded  feathers  from  a  hawk's 


224  THE  LAST  OP  THE  MOHICANS. 

wing  were  dangling.  A  ragged  calico  mantle  half  encircled 
his  body,  while  his  nether  garment  was  composed  of  an  ordi- 
nary shirt,  the  sleeves  of  which  were  made  to  perform  the 
office  that  is  usually  executed  by  a  much  more  commodious 
arrangement.  His  legs  were  bare,  and  sadly  cut  and  torn  by 
briers.  The  feet  were,  however,  covered  with  a  pair  of  good 
deer-skin  moccasins.  Altogether  the  appearance  of  the  indi 
vidual  was  forlorn  and  miserable. 

Duncan  was  still  curiously  observing  the  person  of  his 
neighbor,  when  the  scout  stole  silently  and  cautiously  to  his 
side. 

"  You  see  we  have  reached  their  settlement  or  encamp- 
ment," whispered  the  young  man  ;  and  here  is  one  of  the 
savages  himself,  in  a  very  embarrassing  position  for  our  fur- 
ther movements." 

Hawk-eye  started,  and  dropped  his  rifle,  when  directed  by 
the  finger  of  his  companion,  the  stranger  came  under  his 
view.  Then  lowering  the  dangerous  muzzle,  he  stretched 
forward  his  long  neck,  as  if  to  assist  a  scrutiny  that  was 
already  intensely  keen. 

"  The  imp  is  not  a  Huron,"  he  said,  "  nor  of  any  of  the 
Canada  tribes  ;  and  yet  you  see  by  his  clothes  the  knave  has 
been  plundering  a  white.  Ay,  Montcalm  has  raked  the  weeds 
for  his  inroad,  and  a  whooping,  murdering  set  of  varlets  has 
he  gathered  together.  Can  you  see  where  he  has  put  his  rifle 
or  his  bow  ?  " 

"  He  appears  to  have  no  arms  \  nor  does  he  seem  to  be 
viciously  inclined.  Unless  he  communicates  the  alarm  to  his 
fellows,  who,  as  you  see,  are  dodging  about  the  water,  we  have 
but  little  to  fear  from  him." 

The  scout  turned  to  Heyward,  and  regarded  him  a  moment 
with  unconcealed  amazement.  Then  opening  wide  his  mouth, 
he  indulged  in  unrestrained  and  heartfelt  laughter,  though  in 
that  silent  and  peculiar  manner  which  danger  had  so  long 
taught  him  to  practice. 

Repeating  the  words,  "  fellows  who  are  dodging  about  the 
Water,"  he  added,  "  so  much  for  schooling  and  passing  a  boy- 
hood  in  the  settlements  !  The  knave  has  long  legs,  though, 
and  shall  not  be  trusted.  Do  you  keep  him  under  your  rifle 
while  I  creep  in  behind,  through  the  bush,  and  take  him  alive, 
Fire  on  no  account." 

Heyward  had  already  permitted  his  companion  to  bury 
part  of  his  person  in  the  thicket,  when,  stretching  forth  an  arm, 
he  arrested  him,  in  order  to  ask, — 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  315 

"  If  I  see  you  in  danger,  may  I  not  risk  a  shot  ? ' 

Hawk-eye  regarded  him  a  moment,  like  one  who  knew  not 
how  to  take  the  question  ;  then  nodding  his  head,  he  an- 
swered, still  laughing,  though  inaudibly, — 

"  Fire  a  whole  platoon,  Major." 

In  the  next  moment  he  was  concealed  by  the  leaves. 
Duncan  waited  several  minutes  in  feverish  impatience,  before 
he  caught  another  glimpse  of  the  scout.  Then  he  re-appeared, 
creeping  along  the  earth,  from  which  his  dress  was  hardly 
distinguishable,  directly  in  the  rear  of  his  intended  captive. 
Having  reached  within  a  few  yards  of  the  latter,  he  arose  to 
his  feet,  silently  and  slowly.  At  that  instant,  several  loud 
blows  were  struck  on  the  water,  and  Duncan  turned  his  eyes 
just  in  time  to  perceive  that  a  hundred  dark  forms  were  plung- 
ing, in  a  body,  into  the  troubled  little  sheet.  Grasping  his 
rifle,  his  looks  were  again  bent  on  the  Indian  near  him. 
Instead  of  taking  the  alarm,  the  unconscious  savage  stretched 
forward  his  neck,  as  if  he  also  watched  the  movements  about 
the  gloomy  lake,  with  a  sort  of  silly  curiosity.  In  the  mean 
time,  the  uplifted  hand  of  Hawk-eye  was  above  him.  But, 
without  any  apparent  reason,  it  was  withdrawn,  and  its  owner 
indulged  in  another  long,  though  still  silent,  fit  of  merriment. 
When  the  peculiar  and  hearty  laughter  of  Hawk-eye  was 
ended,  instead  of  grasping  his  victim  by  the  throat,  he 
tapped  him  lightly  on  the  shoulder,  and  exclaimed  aloud — 

"  How  now,  friend,  have  you  a  mind  to  teach  the  beavers 
to  sing  ? " 

"  Even  so,"  was  the  ready  answer.  "  It  would  seem  that 
the  Being  that  gave  them  power  to  improve  his  gifts  so  well, 
would  not  deny  them  voices  to  proclaim  his  praise." 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

Bof.    Are  we  all  met  ? 
Qui.    Pat  pat;  and  here's  a  marvellous 
Convenient  place  for  our  rehearsal. 

SHAKSPEAKK. 

THE  reader  may  better  imagine,  than  we  describe,  the 
surprise  of  Heyward.  His  lurking  Indians  were  suddenly 
converted  into  four-footed  beasts  ;  his  lake  into  a  beaver 
oond ;  his  cataract  into  a  dam,  constructed  by  those  in* 


22 6  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

dustrious  and  ingenious  quadrupeds ;  and  a  suspected  enemy 
into  his  tried  friend,  David  Gamut,  the  master  of  psalmody. 
The  presence  of  the  latter  created  so  many  unexpected  hopes 
relative  to  the  sisters  that,  without  a  moment's  hesitation,  the 
young  man  broke  out  of  his  ambush,  and  sprang  forward  to 
join  the  two  principal  actors  in  the  scene. 

The  merriment  of  Hawk-eye  was  not  easily  appeased,. 
Without  ceremony,  and  with  a  rough  hand,  he  twirled  the 
supple  Gamut  around  on  his  heel,  and  more  than  once  affirmed 
that  the  Hurons  had  done  themselves  great  credit  in  the 
fashion  of  his  costume.  Then  seizing  the  hand  of  the  other, 
he  squeezed  it  with  a  gripe  that  brought  the  tears  into  the  eyes 
of  the  placid  David,  and  wished  him  joy  on  his  new  con- 
dition. 

"  You  were  about  opening  your  throat-practysings  among 
the  beavers,  were  ye  ?  "  he  said.  "  The  cunning  devils  know 
half  the  trade,  already,  for  they  beat  the  time  with  their  tales, 
as  you  heard  just  now ;  and  in  good  time  it  was  too,  or  *  Kill- 
deer  '  might  have  sounded  the  first  note  among  them.  I  have 
known  greater  fools,  who  could  read  and  write,  than  an  ex- 
perienced old  beaver ;  but  as  for  squalling,  the  animals  are 
born  dumb  ! — What  think  you  of  such  a  song  as  this  ? " 

David  shut  his  sensitive  ears,  and  even  Heyward,  apprised 
as  he  was  of  the  nature  of  the  cry,  looked  upwards  in  quest 
of  the  bird,  as  the  cawing  of  a  crow  rang  in  the  air  about 
them. 

"  See,"  continued  the  laughing  scout,  as  he  pointed  towards 
the  remainder  of  the  party,  who,  in  obedience  to  the  signal, 
were  already  approaching :  "  this  is  music  which  has  its 
natural  virtues ;  it  brings  two  good  rifles  to  my  elbow,  to 
say  nothing  of  the  knives  and  tomahawks.  But  we  see 
that  you  are  safe  ;  now  tell  us  what  has  become  of  the  maid- 
ens." 

"  They  are  captives  to  the  heathen,"  said  David,  "and 
though  greatly  troubled  in  spirit,  enjoying  comfort  and  safetj 
in  the  body." 

"  Both  ?  "  demanded  the  breathless  Heyward. 

"  Even  so.  Though  our  wayfaring  has  been  sore  and  our 
sustenance  scanty,  we  have  had  little  other  cause  for  com- 
plaint, except  the  violence  done  our  feelings,  by  being  thus 
led  in  captivity  into  a  far  land." 

"  Bless  ye  for  these  very  words  ! "  exclaimed  the  trembling 
Munro ;  "  I  shall  then  receive  my  babes,  spotless  and  angcF 
like,  as  I  lost  them  1  " 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  22J 

"  I  know  not  that  their  delivery  is  at  hand,"  returned  the 
doubting  David  ;  "  the  leader  of  these  savages  is  possessed  of 
an  evil  spirit  that  no  power  short  of  Omnipotence  can  tame. 
I  have  tried  him  sleeping  and  waking,  but  neither  sounds  not 
language  seem  to  touch  his  soul." 

"  Where  is  the  knave  ? "  bluntly  interrupted  the  scout. 

"  He  hunts  the  moose  to-day,  with  his  young  men ;  and 
to-morrow,  as  I  hear,  they  pass  further  into  these  forests,  and 
nigher  to  the  borders  of  Canada.  The  elder  maiden  is  con- 
veyed to  a  neighboring  people,  whose  lodges  are  situate 
beyond  yonder  black  pinnacle  of  rock ;  while  the  younger  is 
detained  among  the  women  of  the  Hurons,  whose  dwellings 
are  but  two  short  miles  hence,  on  a  table  land,  where  the  fire 
has  done  the  office  of  the  axe,  and  prepared  the  place  for  their 
reception." 

"  Alice,  my  gentle  Alice  !  "  murmured  Heyward  ;  "  she 
has  lost  the  consolation  of  her  sister's  presence !  " 

"  Even  so.  But  so  far  as  praise  and  thanksgiving  in 
psalmody  can  temper  the  spirit  in  affliction,  she  has  not 
suffered." 

"  Has  she  then  a  heart  for  music  ?  " 

"  Of  the  graver  and  more  solemn  character ;  though  it 
must  be  acknowledged  that,  in  spite  of  all  my  endeavors,  the 
maiden  weeps  oftener  than  she  smiles.  At  such  moments  I 
forbear  to  press  the  holy  songs  ;  but  there  are  many  sweet 
and  comfortable  periods  of  satisfactory  communication,  when 
the  ears  of  the  savages  are  astounded  with  the  upliftings  of 
our  voices." 

"  And  why  are  you  permitted  to  go  at  large,  unwatched  ? " 

David  composed  his  features  into  what  he  intended  should 
express  an  air  of  modest  humility,  before  he  meekly  replied, — • 

"  Little  be  the  praise  to  such  a  worm  as  I.  But,  though 
the  power  of  psalmody  was  suspended  in  the  terrible  business 
of  that  field  of  blood  through  which  we  passed,  it  has  re- 
covered its  influence  even  over  the  souls  of  the  heathen,  and 
I  am  suffered  to  go  and  come  at  will." 

The  scout  laughed,  and  tapping  his  own  forehead  signifi- 
cantly, he  perhaps  explained  the  singular  indulgence  more 
satisfactorily  when  he  said, — 

"  The  Indians  never  harm  a  non-composser.  But  why, 
when  the  path  lay  open  before  your  eyes,  did  you  not  strike 
back  on  your  own  trail  (it  is  not  so  blind  as  that  which  « 
•quirrel  would  make),  and  bring  in  the  tidings  to  Edward  ? " 

The  scout,  remembering  only  his  own  sturdy  and  iroa 


228  TffE  LAST  OF  THE  MOfflCANS. 

nature,  had  probably  exacted  a  task  that  David,  under  no 
circumstances,  could  have  performed.  But,  without  entirely 
losing  the  meekness  of  his  air,  the  latter  was  content  to 
answer — 

"  Though  my  soul  would  rejoice  to  visit  the  habitations  of 
Christendom  once  more,  my  feet  would  rather  follow  the 
tender  spirits  intrusted  to  my  keeping,  even  into  the  idol- 
atrous province  of  the  Jesuits,  than  take  one  step  backward, 
while  they  pined  in  captivity  and  sorrow." 

Though  the  figurative  language  of  David  was  not  very 
intelligible,  the  sincere  and  steady  expression  of  his  eye,  and 
the  glow  on  his  honest  countenance,  were  not  easily  mistaken. 
Uncas  pressed  closer  to  his  side,  and  regarded  the  speaker 
with  a  look  of  commendation,  while  his  father  expressed  his 
satisfaction  by  the  ordinary  pithy  exclamation  of  approbation. 
The  scout  shook  his  head  as  he  rejoiced, — 

"  The  Lord  never  intended  that  the  man  should  place  all 
his  endeavors  in  his  throat,  to  the  neglect  of  other  and  better 
gifts  !  But  he  has  fallen  into  the  hands  of  some  silly  woman, 
when  he  should  have  been  gathering  his  education  under  a 
blue  sky,  among  the  beauties  of  the  forest.  Here,  friend  ;  I 
did  intend  to  kindle  a  fire  with  this  tooting  whistle  of  thine ; 
but  as  you  value  the  thing,  take  it,  and  blow  your  best  on  it !  " 

Gamut  received  his  pitch-pipe  with  as  strong  an  expression 
of  pleasure  as  he  believed  compatible  with  the  grave  functions 
he  exercised.  After  essaying  its  virtues  repeatedly,  in  con- 
trast with  his  own  voice,  and  satisfying  himself  that  none  of 
its  melody  was  lost,  he  made  a  very  serious  demonstration 
towards  achieving  a  few  stanzas  of  one  of  the  longest  effusions 
in  the  little  volume  so  often  mentioned. 

Heyward,  however,  hastily  interrupted  his  pious  purpose, 
by  continuing  questions  concerning  the  past  and  present  con- 
dition of  his  fellow-captives,  and  in  a  manner  more  methodi- 
cal than  had  been  permitted  by  his  feelings  in  the  opening  of 
their  interview.  David,  though  he  regarded  his  treasure  with 
longing  eyes,  was  constrained  to  answer :  especially  as  the 
venerable  father  took  a  part  in  the  interrogatories,  with  an 
interest  too  imposing  to  be  denied.  Nor  did  the  scout  fail  to 
throw  in  a  pertinent  inquiry,  whenever  a  fitting  occasion  pre- 
sented. In  this  manner,  though  with  frequent  interruptions, 
which  were  filled  with  certain  threatening  sounds  from  the 
recovered  instrument,  the  pursuers  was  put  in  possession  of 
such  leading  circumstances  as  were  likely  to  prove  useful  in 
accomplishing  their  great  and  engrossing  object — the  reco* 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS* 


229 


ery  of  the  sisters.  The  narrative  of  David  was  simple,  and 
the  facts  but  few. 

Magua  had  waited  on  the  mountain  until  a  safe  moment 
to  retire  presented  itself,  when  he  had  descended,  and  taken 
the  route  along  the  western  side  of  the  Horican,  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Canadas.  As  the  subtle  Huron  was  familiar  with 
the  paths,  and  well  knew  there  was  no  immediate  danger  of 
pursuit,  their  progress  had  been  moderate,  and  far  from 
fatiguing.  It  appeared,  from  the  unembellished  statement  of 
David,  that  his  own  presence  had  been  rather  epdured  than 
desired  ;  though  even  Magua  had  not  been  entirely  exempt 
from  that  veneration  with  which  the  Indians  regard  those 
whom  the  Great  Spirit  has  visited  in  their  intellects.  At 
night,  the  utmost  care  had  been  taken  of  the  captives,  both 
to  prevent  injury  from  the  damps  of  the  woods,  and  to  guard 
against  an  escape.  At  the  spring,  the  horses  were  turned 
loose,  as  has  been  seen  ;  and  notwithstanding  the  remoteness 
and  length  of  their  trail,  the  artifices  already  named  were  re- 
sorted to,  in  order  to  cut  off  every  clue  to  their  place  of  re- 
treat. On  their  arrival  at  the  encampment  of  his  people, 
Magua,  in  obedience  to  a  policy  seldom  departed  from,  sepa- 
rated his  prisoners.  Cora  had  been  sent  to  a  tribe  that 
temporarily  occupied  an  adjacent  valley,  though  David  was 
far  too  ignorant  of  the  customs  and  history  of  the  natives,  to 
be  able  to  declare  anything  satisfactory  concerning  their  name 
or  character.  He  only  knew  that  they  had  not  engaged  in 
.he  late  expedition  against  William  Henry  ;  that,  like  the 
Harons  themselves,  they  were  allies  of  Montcalm  ;  and  that 
they  maintained  an  amicable,  though  a  watchful  intercourse 
with  the  warlike  and  savage  people,  whom  chance  had,  for  a 
time,  brought  in  such  close  and  disagreeable  contact  with 
themselves. 

The  Mohicans  and  the  scout  listened  to  his  interrupted 
and  imperfect  narrative  with  an  interest  that  obviously  in- 
creased as  he  proceeded  ;  and  it  was  while  attempting  to 
explain  the  pursuits  of  the  community  in  which  Cora  was 
detained,  that  the  latter  abruptly  demanded, — 

"  Did  you  see  the  fashion  of  their  knives  ?  were  they  of 
English  or  French  formation  ?  " 

"  My  thoughts  were  bent  on  no  such  vanities,  but  rather 
mingled  in  consolation  with  those  of  the  maidens." 

"  The  time  may  come  when  you  will  not  consider  the 
knife  of  a  savage  such  a  despisable  vanity,"  returned  the 
scout,  with  a  strong  expression  of  contempt  for  the  other's 


'230  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

dulness.     "  Had  they  held  their  corn-feast, — or  can  you  saj 
anything  of  the  totems  of  their  tribe  ?  " 

"  Of  corn,  we  had  many  and  plentiful  feasts  ;  for  the  grain, 
being  in  the  milk,  is  both  sweet  to  the  mouth  and  comfortable 
to  the  stomach.  Of  totem,  I  know  not  the  meaning  ;  but  if  it 
appertaineth  in  any  wise  to  the  art  of  Indian  music,  it  need 
not  be  inquired  after  at  their  hands.  They  never  join  theif 
voices  in  praise,  and  it  would  seem  that  they  are  among  the 
profanest  of  the  idolatrous." 

"  Therein  you  belie  the  nature  of  an  Indian.  Even  the 
Mingo  adores  but  the  true  and  living  God.  'Tis  a  wicked 
fabrication  of  the  whites,  and  I  say  it  to  the  shame  of  my 
color,  that  would  make  the  warrior  bow  down  before  images 
of  his  own  creation.  It  is  true,  they  endeavor  to  make  truces 
with  the  wicked  one — as  who  would  not  with  an  enemy  he 
cannot  conquer ! — but  they  look  up  for  favor  and  assistance 
to  the  Great  and  Good  Spirit  only." 

"  It  may  be  so,"  said  David  ;  "  but  I  have  seen  strange 
and  fantastic  images  drawn  in  their  paint,  of  which  their  ad- 
miration and  care  savored  of  spiritual  pride  ;  especially  one, 
and  that,  too,  a  foul  and  loathsome  object." 

"  Was  it  a  sarpent  ?  "  quickly  demanded  the  scout. 

"  Much  the  same.  It  was  in  the  likeness  of  an  abject  and 
creeping  tortoise." 

"  Hugh  !  "  exclaimed  both  the  attentive  Mohicans  in  a 
breath ;  while  the  scout  shook  his  head  with  the  air  of  one 
who  had  made  an  important,  but  by  no  means  a  pleasing  dis 
covery.  Then  the  father  spoke,  in  the  language  of  the  Del- 
awares,  and  with  a  calmness  and  dignity  that  instantly  ar- 
rested the  attention  even  of  those  to  whom  his  words  were 
unintelligible.  His  gestures  were  impressive,  and  at  times 
energetic.  Once  he  lifted  his  arm  on  high  ;  and  as  it  de- 
scended, the  action  threw  aside  the  folds  of  his  light  mantle,  a 
ringer  resting  on  his  breast,  as  if  he  would  enforce  his  mean- 
ing by  the  attitude.  Duncan's  eyes  followed  the  movement, 
and  he  perceived  that  the  animal  just  mentioned  was  beauti- 
fully, though  faintly,  worked  in  a  blue  tint,  on  the  swarthy 
breast  of  the  chief.  All  that  he  had  ever  heard  of  the  violent 
separation  of  the  vast  tribes  of  the  Delawares  rushed  across 
his  mind,  and  he  awaited  the  proper  moment  to  speak,  with  a 
suspense  that  was  rendered  nearly  intolerable  by  his  interest 
in  the  stake.  His  wish,  however,  was  anticipated  by  the  scout, 
who  turned  from  his  friend,  saying, — 

"  We  have  found  that  which  may  be  good  or  evil  to  qs,  as 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  231 

Heaven  disposes.  The  Sagamore  is  of  the  high  blood  of  tht 
Delawares,  and  is  the  great  chief  of  their  Tortoises !  That 
some  of  this  stock  are  among  the  people  of  whom  the  singer 
tells  us,  is  plain  by  his  words  ;  and  had  he  but  spent  half  the 
breath  in  prudent  questions,  that  he  has  blown  away  in  mak- 
ing a  trumpet  of  his  throat,  we  might  have  known  how  many 
warriors  they  numbered.  It  is,  altogether,  a  dangerous  path 
we  move  in  ;  for  a  friend  whose  face  is  turned  from  you  often 
bears  a  bloodier  mind  than  the  enemy  who  seeks  your  scaJp." 

"Explain,"  said  Duncan. 

"  'Tis  a  long  and  melancholy  tradition,  and  one  I  little  like 
to  think  of  ;  for  it  is  not  to  be  denied,  that  the  evil  has  been 
mainly  done  by  men  with  white  skins.  But  it  has  ended  in 
turning  the  tomahawk  of  brother  against  brother,  and  brought 
the  Mingo  and  the  Delaware  to  travel  in  the  same  path." 

"  You  then  suspect  it  is  a  portion  of  that  people  among 
whom  Cora  resides  ?  " 

The  scout  nodded  his  head  in  assent,  though  he  seemed 
anxious  to  waive  the  further  discussion  of  a  subject  that  ap- 
peared painful.  The  impatient  Duncan  now  made  several 
hasty  and  desperate  propositions  to  attempt  the  release  of 
the  sisters.  Munro  seemed  to  shake  off  his  apathy,  and  lis- 
tened to  the  wild  schemes  of  the  young  man  with  a  deference 
that  his  gray  hairs  and  reverend  years  should  have  denied. 
But  the  scout,  after  suffering  the  ardor  of  the  lover  to  expend 
itself  a  little,  found  means  to  convince  him  of  the  folly  of  pre- 
cipitation, in  a  matter  that  would  require  their  coolest  judg- 
ment and  utmost  fortitude. 

"  It  would  be  well,"  he  added,  "  to  let  this  man  go  in 
again,  as  usual,  and  for  him  to  tarry  in  the  lodges,  giving  no- 
tice to  the  gentle  ones  of  our  approach,  until  we  call  him  out, 
by  signal,  to  consult.  You  know  the  cry  of  a  crow,  friend, 
from  the  whistle  of  the  whip-poor-will  ?  " 

"  'Tis  a  pleasing  bird,"  returned  David,  "  and  has  a  soft 
and  melancholy  note  !  though  the  time  is  rather  quick  and  ill 
measured." 

"  He  speaks  of  the  wish-ton-wish,"  said  the  scout ;  "  well, 
since  you  like  his  whistle,  it  shall  be  your  signal.  Remember, 
then,  when  you  hear  the  whip-poor-will's  call  three  times  re< 
peated,  you  are  to  come  into  the  bushes  where  the  bird  might 
be  supposed — " 

"  Stop,"  interrupted  Heyward  ;    "  I  will  accompany  him." 

"  You  !  "  exclaimed  the  astonished  Hawk-eye  ;  "  are  you 
tired  of  seeing  the  sun  rise  and  set  ? " 


232  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

"  David  is  a  living  proof  that  the  Huron  can  be  merciful.* 

"  Ay,  but  David  can  use  his  throat,  as  no  man  in  his  senses 
would  pervart  the  gift." 

"I  too  can  play  the  madman,  the  fool,  the  hero;  in  short, 
any  or  everything  to  rescue  her  I  love.  Name  your  objections 
no  longer  ;  I  am  resolved." 

Hawk-eye  regarded  the  young  man  a  moment  in  speech- 
less amazement.  But  Duncan,  who  in  deference  to  the  other's 
skill  and  services,  had  hitherto  submitted  somewhat  implicitly 
to  his  dictation,  now  assumed  the  superior,  with  a  manner 
that  was  not  easily  resisted.  He  waved  his  hand,  in  sign  of 
his  dislike  to  all  remonstrance,  and  then,  in  more  tempered 
language,  he  continued, — 

"  You  have  the  means  of  disguise  ;  change  me ;  paint  me 
too,  if  you  will .  in  short,  alter  me  to  anything — a  fool." 

'•  It  is  not  for  one  like  me  to  say  that  he  who  is  already 
formed  by  so  powerful  a  hand  as  Providence,  stands  in  need  of 
change,"  muttered  the  discontented  scout.  "  When  you  send 
your  parties  abroad  in  war,  you  find  it  prudent,  at  least,  to  ar- 
range the  marks  and  places  of  encampment,  in  order  that  they 
who  fight  on  your  side  may  know  when  and  where  to  expect 
a  friend." 

"  Listen,"  interrupted  Duncan  ;  "  you  have  heard  from  this 
faithful  follower  of  the  captives,  that  the  Indians  are  of  two 
tribes,  if  not  of  different  nations.  With  one,  whom  you  think 
to  be  a  branch  of  the  Delawares,  is  she  you  call  the  '  dark 
hair ;  *  the  other,  and  younger  of  the  ladies,  is  undeniably  with 
our  declared  enemies,  the  Hurons.  It  becomes  my  youth 
and  rank  to  attempt  the  latter  adventure.  While  you,  there- 
fore, are  negotiating  with  your  friends  for  the  release  of  one 
of  the  sisters,  I  will  effect  that  of  the  other,  or  die." 

The  awakened  spirit  of  the  young  soldier  gleamed  in  his 
eyes,  and  his  form  became  imposing  under  its  influence. 
Hawk-eye,  though  too  much  accustomed  to  Indian  artifices 
not  to  foresee  the  danger  of  the  experiment,  knew  not  well 
how  to  combat  this  sudden  resolution. 

Perhaps  there  was  something  in  the  proposal  that  suited 
his  own  hardy  nature,  and  that  secret  love  of  desperate  ad- 
venture, which  had  increased  with  his  experience,  until  hazard 
and  danger  had  become*  in  some  measure,  necessary  to  the 
enjoyment  of  existence.  Instead  of  continuing  to  oppose  the 
scheme  of  Duncan,  his  humor  suddenly  altered,  and  he  lent 
himself  to  its  execution. 

"  Come,"  he  said,  with  a  good-humored  smile ;  "  the  buck 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  233 

that  will  take  to  the  water  must  be  headed,  and  not  followed. 
Chingachgook  has  as  many  different  paints  as  the  engineer 
officer's  wife,  who  takes  down  natur'  on  scraps  of  paper,  mak- 
ing the  mountains  look  like  cocks  of  rusty  hay,  and  placing 
the  blue  sky  in  reach  of  your  hand.  The  Sagamore  can  use 
them  too.  Seat  yourself  on  the  log,  and  my  life  on  it,  he 
can  soon  make  a  natural  fool  of  you,  and  that  well  to  your 
liking." 

Duncan  complied ;  and  the  Mohican,  who  had  been  an  at- 
tentive listener  to  the  discourse,  readily  undertook  the  office. 
Long  practised  in  all  the  subtle  arts  of  his  race,  he  drew,  with 
great  dexterity  and  quickness,  the  fantastic  shadow  that  the 
natives  were  accustomed  to  consider  as  the  evidence  of  a 
friendly  and  jocular  disposition.  Every  line  that  could  possi- 
bly  be  interpreted  into  a  secret  inclination  for  war,  was  care^ 
fully  avoided  ;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  he  studied  those  con- 
ceits that  might  be  construed  into  amity. 

In  short,  he  entirely  sacrificed  every  appearance  of  the 
warrior  to  the  masquerade  of  a  buffoon.  Such  exhibitions 
were  not  uncommon  among  the  Indians,  and  as  Duncan  was 
already  sufficiently  disguised  in  his  dress,  there  certainly  did 
exist  some  reason  for  believing  that,  with  his  knowledge  of 
French,  he  might  pass  for  a  juggler  from  Ticonderoga,  strag- 
gling among  the  allied  and  friendly  tribes. 

When  he  was  thought  to  be  sufficiently  painted,  the  scout 
gave  him  much  friendly  advice,  concerted  signals,  and  ap- 
pointed the  place  where  they  should  meet,  in  the  event  of 
mutual  success.  The  parting  between  Munro  and  his  young 
friend  was  more  melancholy  ;  still,  the  former  submitted  to 
the  separation  with  an  indifference  that  his  warm  and  honest 
nature  would  never  have  permitted  in  a  .more  healthful  state 
of  mind.  The  scout  led  Heyward  aside,  and  acquainted  him 
with  his  intention  to  leave  the  veteran  in  some  safe  encamp- 
ment, in  charge  of  Chingachgook,  while  he  and  Uncas  pursued 
their  inquiries  among  the  people  they  had  reason  to  believe 
were  Delawares.  Then  renewing  his  cautions  and  advice,  he 
concluded  by  saying,  with  a  solemnity  and  warmth  of  feeling 
with  which  Duncan  was  deeply  touched — 

'•  And  now  God  bless  you  !  You  have  shown  a  spirit  that 
I  like  ;  for  it  is  the  gift  of  youth,  more  especially  one  of  warm 
blood  and  a^tout  heart  But  believe  the  warning  of  a  man 
who  has  reason  to  know  all  he  says  to  be  true.  You  will 
have  occasion  for  your  best  manhood,  and  for  a  sharper  wit 
than  what  is  to  be  gathered  in  books,  afore  you  outdo  the  cu»- 


THE  LAST  OP  THE  MOHICANS. 

ning,  or  get  the  better  of  the  courage  of  a  Mingo.  God  b^esa 
you  !  if  the  Hurons  master  your  scalp,  rely  on  the  promise  of 
one  who  has  two  stout  warriors  to  back  him.  They  shall  pay 
for  their  victory,  with  a  life  for  every  hair  it  holds.  I  say, 
young  gentleman,  may  Providence  bless  your  undertaking, 
which  is  altogether  for  good ;  and  remember,  that  to  outwit 
the  knaves  it  is  lawful  to  practise  things  that  may  not  be 
naturally  the  gift  of  a  white  skin." 

Duncan  shook  his  worthy  and  reluctant  associate  warmly 
by  the  hand,  once  more  recommended  his  aged  friend  to  his 
care,  and  returning  his  good  wishes,  he  motioned  to  David  to 
proceed.  Hawk-eye  gazed  after  the  high-spirited  and  adven- 
turous young  man  for  several  moments,  in  open  admiration  \ 
then  shaking  his  head  doubtingly,  he  turned  and  led  his  own 
division  of  the  party  into  the  concealment  of  the  forest. 

The  route  taken  by  Duncan  and  David  lay  directly  across 
the  clearing  of  the  beavers,  and  along  the  margin  of  their 
pond. 

When  the'former  found  himself  alone  with  one  so  simple, 
and  so  little  qualified  to  render  any  assistance  in  desperate 
emergencies,  he  first  began  to  be  sensible  of  the  difficulties  of 
the  task  he  had  undertaken.  The  fading  light  increased  the 
gloominess  of  the  bleak  and  savage  wilderness  that  stretched 
so  far  on  every  side  of  him  ;  and  there  was  even  a  fearful 
character  in  the  stillness  of  those  little  huts,  that  he  knew  was 
so  abundantly  peopled.  It  struck  him,  as  he  gazed  at  the  ad- 
mirable structures  and  the  wonderful  precautions  of  their 
sagacious  inmates,  that  even  the  brutes  of  these  vast  wilds 
were  possessed  of  an  instinct  nearly  commensurate  with  his 
own  reason  ;  and  he  could  not  reflect,  without  anxiety,  on  the 
unequal  contest  that  he  had  so  rashly  courted.  Then  came 
the  glowing  image  of  Alice  ;  her  distress ;  her  actual  danger  ; 
and  all  the  peril  of  his  situation  was  forgotten.  Cheering 
David,  he  moved  on  with  the  light  and  vigorous  step  of  youth 
and  enterprise. 

After  making  nearly  a  semicircle  around  the  pond,  they 
diverged  from  the  water-course,  and  began  to  ascend  to  the 
level  of  a  slight  elevation  in  that  bottom  land,  over  which 
they  journeyed.  Within  half  an  hour  they  gained  the  margin 
of  another  opening  that  bore  all  the  signs  of  having  been  also 
made  by  the  beavers,  and  which  those  sagaciou%  animals  had 
probably  been  induced,  by  some  accident,  to  abandon,  for  the 
more  eligible  position  they  now  occupied.  A  very  natural 
sensation  caused  Duncan  to  hesitate  a  moment,  unwilling  to 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  2  ,-5 

leave  the  cover  of  their  bushy  path,  as  a  man  pauses  to  col- 
Ject  his  energies  before  he  essays  any  hazardous  experiment, 
in  which  he  is  secretly  conscious  they  will  all  be  needed.  He 
profited  by  the  halt,  to  gather  such  information  as  might  be 
obtained  from  his  short  and  hasty  glances. 

On  the  opposite  side  of  the  clearing,  and  near  the  point 
where  the  brook  tumbled  over  some  rocks,  from  a  still  higher 
level,  some  fifty  or  sixty  lodges,  rudely  fabricated  of  logs, 
brush,  and  earth  intermingled,  were  to  be  discovered.  They 
were  arranged  without  any  order,  and  seemed  to  be  con- 
structed with  very  little  attention  to  neatness  or  beauty- 
Indeed,  so  very  inferior  were  they  in  the  two  latter  particu' 
lars  to  the  village  Duncan  had  just  seen,  that  he  began  to  ex 
pect  a  second  surprise,  no  less  astonishing  than  the  former. 
This  expectation  was  in  no  degree  diminished,  when,  by  the 
doubtful  twilight,  he  beheld  twenty  or  thirty  forms  rising 
alternately  from  the  cover  of  the  tall,  coarse  grass,  in  front  of 
the  lodges,  and  then  sinking  again  from  the  sight,  as  it  were 
to  burrow  in  the  earth.  By  the  sudden  and  hasty  glimpses 
that  he  caught  of  these  figures,  they  seemed  more  like  dark 
glancing  spectres,  or  some  other  unearthly  beings,  than  crea- 
tures fashioned  with  the  ordinary -and  vulgar  materials  of 
flesh  and  blood.  A  gaunt,  naked  form  was  seen,  for  a  single 
instant,  tossing  its  arms  wildly  in  the  air,  and  then  the  spot 
it  had  filled  was  vacant ;  the  figure  appearing  suddenly  in 
some  other  and  distant  place,  or  being  succeeded  by  another 
possessing  the  same  mysterious  character.  David  observing 
that  his  companion  lingered,  pursued  the  direction  of  his 
gaze,  and  in  some  measure  recalled  the  recollection  of  Hey- 
ward,  by  speaking. 

"  There  is  much  fruitful  soil  uncultivated  here,"  he  said  j 
"and  I  may  add,  without  the  sinful  leaven  of  self-commenda- 
tion, that  since  my  short  sojourn  in  these  heathenish  abodes, 
much  good  seed  has  been  scattered  by  the  way-side." 

"The  tribes  are  fonder  of  the  chase  than  of  the  arts  of 
men  of  labor,"  returned  the  unconscious  Duncan,  still  gazing 
at  the  objects  of  his  wonder. 

"  It  is  rather  joy  than  labor  to  the  spirit,  to  lift  up  the 
voice  in  praise ;  but  sadly  do  these  boys  abuse  their  gifts. 
Rarely  have  I  found  any  of  their  age,  on  whom  nature  has  so 
freely  bestowed  the  elements  of  psalmody  ;  and  surely,  surely, 
there  are  none  who  neglect  them  more.  Three  nights  have 
I  now  tarried  here,  and  :hree  several  times  have  I  assembled 
the  urchins  to  join  in  sacred  song  ;  and  as  often  have  the^f 


236  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

responded  to  my  efforts  with  whooping  and  howlings  that 
have  chilled  my  soul !  " 

"  Of  whom  speak  you  ?  " 

"  Of  those  children  of  the  devil,  who  waste  the  precious 
moments  in  yonder  idle  antics.  Ah  !  the  wholesome  restraint 
of  discipline  is  but  little  known  among  this  self-abandoned 
people.  In  a  country  of  birches,  a  rod  is  never  seen  ;  and  it 
ought  not  to  appear  a  marvel  in  my  eyes,  that  the  choicest 
blessings  of  Providence  are  wasted  in  such  cries  as  these." 

David  closed  his  ears  against  the  juvenile  pack,  whose 
yell  just  then  rang  shrilly  through  the  forest;  and  Duncan, 
suffering  his  lip  to  curl,  as  in  mockery  of  his  own  superstition, 
said  firmly, — 

"  We  will  proceed." 

Without  removing  the  safeguards  from  his  ears,  the  mas- 
ter of  song  complied,  and  together  they  pursued  their  way 
towards  what  David  was  sometimes  wont  to  call  "  the  tents 
of  the  Philistines." 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

But  though  the  beast  of  game 

The  privilege  of  chase  may  claim  ; 
Though  space  and  law  the  stag  we  lend, 
Ere  hound  we  slip,  or  bow  we  bend  ; 
Who  ever  recked,  where,  how,  or  when 
The  prowling  fox  was  trapped  or  slain  ? 

LADY  OF  THE  LAKE. 

IT  is  unusual  to  find  an  encampment  of  the  natives,  like 
those  of  the  more  instructed  whites,  guarded  by  the  presence 
of  armed  men.  Well  informed  of  the  approach  of  every 
danger,  while  it  is  yet  at  a  distance,  the  Indian  generally 
rests  secure  under  his  knowledge  of  the  signs  of  the  forest, 
and  the  long  and  difficult  paths  that  separate  him  from  those 
he  has  most  reason  to  dread.  But  the  enemy  who,  by  any  lucky 
concurrence  of  accidents,  has  found  means  to  elude  the  vig- 
ilance of  the  scouts,  will  seldom  meet  with  sentinels  nearer 
home  to  sound  the  alarm.  In  addition  to  this  general  usage, 
the  tribes  friendly  to  the  French  knew  too  well  the  weight  of 
the  blow  that  had  just  been  struck,  to  apprehend  any  imme- 
diate danger  from  the  hostile  nations  that  were  tributary  to 
the  crown  of  Britain. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  237 

When  Duncan  and  David,  therefore, .  found  themselves 
in  the  centre  of  the  children,  who  played  the  antics  already 
mentioned,  it  was  without  the  least  previous  intimation  of 
their  approach.  But  so  soon  as  they  were  observed,  the 
whole  of  the  juvenile  pack  raised,  by  common  consent,  a 
shrill  and  warning  whoop  ;  and  then  sank,  as  it  were,  by 
magic,  from  before  the  sight  of  their  visitors.  The  naked, ' 
tawny  bodies  of  the  crouching  urchins  blended  so  nicely,  at 
that  hour,  with  the  withered  herbage,  that  at  first  it  seemed 
as  if  the  earth  had,  in  truth,  swallowed  up  their  forms  ;  though 
when  surprise  permitted  Duncan  to  bend  his  look  more  curi- 
ously about  the  spot,  he  found  it  everywhere  met  by  dark, 
quick,  and  rolling  eye-balls. 

Gathering  no  encouragement  from  this  startling  presage 
of  the  nature  of  the  scrutiny  he  was  likely  to  undergo  from 
the  more  mature  judgments  of  the  men,  there  was  an  in- 
stant when  the  young  soldier  would  have  retreated.  It  was, 
however,  too  late  to  appear  to  hesitate.  The  cry  of  the  chil- 
dren had  drawn  a  dozen  warriors  to  the  door  of  the  nearest 
lodge,  where  they  stood  clustered  in  a  dark  and  savage  group, 
gravely  awaiting  the  nearer  approach  of  those  who  had  un- 
expectedly come  among  them. 

David,  in  some  measure  familiarized  to  the  scene,  led  the 
way,  wkh  a  steadiness  that  no  slight  obstacle  was  likely  to 
disconcert,  into  this  very  building.  It  was  the  principal 
edifice  of  the  village,  though  roughly  constructed  of  the  bark 
and  branches  of  trees ;  being  the  lodge  in  which  the  tribe 
held  its  councils  and  public  meetings  during  their  temporary 
residence  on  the  borders  of  the  English  province.  Duncan 
found  it  difficult  to  assume  the  necessary  appearance  of  un- 
concern, as  he  brushed  the  dark  and  powerful  frames  of  the 
savages  who  thronged  its  threshold  ;  but,  conscious  that  his 
existence  depended  on  his  presence  of  mind,  he  trusted  to 
the  discretion  of  his  companion,  whose  footsteps  he  closely 
followed,  endeavoring,  as  he  proceeded,  to  rally  his  thoughts 
for  the  occasion.  His  blood  curdled  when  he  found  himself 
in  absolute  contact  with  such  fierce  and  implacable  enemies ; 
but  he  so  far  mastered  his  feelings  as  to  pursue  his  way  into 
the  centre  of  the  lodge,  with  an  exterior  that  did  not  betray 
the  weakness.  Imitating  the  example  of  the  deliberate 
Gamut,  he  drew  a  bundle  of  fragrant  brush  from  beneath  a 
pile  .that  filled  a  corner  of  the  hut,  and  seated  himself  ic 
silence. 


238  TUX  LAST  OF  TffE  M\)H£CAN3. 

So  soon  as  their  visitor  had  passed,  the  observant  war. 
riors  fell  back  from  the  entrance,  and  arranging  themselves 
about  him,  they  seemed  patiently  to  await  the  moment 
when  it  might  comport  with  the  dignity  of  the  stranger  to 
speak.  By  far  the  greater  number  stood  leaning,  in  lazy, 
lounging  attitudes,  against  the  upright  posts  that  supported 
the  crazy  building,  while  three  or  four  of  the  oldest  and  most 
distinguished  of  the  chiefs  placed  themselves  on  the  earth  a 
little  more  in  advance. 

A  flaring  torch  was  burning  in  the  place,  and  set  its  red 
glare  from  face  to  face  and  figure  to  figure,  as  it  waved  in  the 
currents  of  air.  Duncan  profited  by  its  light  to  read  the 
probable  character  of  his  reception  in  the  countenances  of 
his  hosts.  But  his  ingenuity  availed  him  little  against  the 
cold  artifices  of  the  people  he  had  encountered.  The  chiefs 
in  front  scarce  cast  a  glance  at  his  person,  keeping  their  eyes 
on  the  ground  with  an  air  that  might  have  been  intended  for 
respect,  but  which  it  was  quite  easy  to  construe  into  distrust. 
The  men  in  shadow  were  less  reserved.  Duncan  soon 
detected  their  searching,  but  stolen  looks,  which,  in  truth, 
scanned  his  person  and  attire  inch  by  inch  ;  leaving  no  emo- 
tion of  the  countenance,  no  gesture,  no  line  of  the  paint,  nor 
even  the  fashion  of  a  garment,  unheeded,  and  without  com- 
ment. 

At  length  one  whose  hair  was  beginning  to  be  sprinkled 
with  gray,  but  whose  sinewy  limbs  and  firm  tread  announced 
that  he  was  still  equal  to  the  duties  of  manhood,  advanced 
out  of  the  gloom  of  a  corner,  whither  he  had  probably  posted 
himself  to  make  his  observations  unseen,  and  spoke.  He 
used  the  language  of  the  Wyandots,  or  Hurons  ;  his  words 
were,  consequently,  unintelligible  to  Heyward,  though  they 
seemed,  by  the  gestures  that  accompanied  them,  to  be  uttered 
more  in  courtesy  than  anger.  The  latter  shook  his  head, 
and  made  a  gesture  indicative  of  his  inability  to  reply. 

"  Do  none  of  my  brothers  speak  the  French  or  the  Eng- 
lish ? "  he  said,  in  the  former  language,  looking  about  him 
from  countenance  to  countenance,  in  hopes  of  finding  a  nod 
of  assent. 

Though  more  than  one  had  turned,  as  if  to  catch  the 
meaning  of  his  words,  they  remained  unanswered. 

"  I  should  be  grieved  to  think,"  continued  Duncan,  speak« 
ing  slowly,  and  using  the  simplest  French  of  which  he  was 
the  master,  "  to  believe  that  none  of  this  wise  and  brave  na- 
tion understand  the  language  that  the  'Grand  Monarqtie' 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


239 


uses  whei?  he  talks  to  his  children.  His  heart  would  be  heavy 
did  he  believe  his  red  warriors  paid  him  so  little  respect !  " 

A  long  and  grave  pause  succeeded,  during  which  no 
movement  of  a  limb,  nor  any  expression  of  an  eye,  betrayed 
the  impression  produced  by  his  remark.  Duncan  who  knew 
that  silence  was  a  virtue  amongst  his  hosts,  gladly  had  re- 
source to  the  custom,  in  order  to  arrange  his  ideas.  At 
length  the  same  warrior  who  had  before  addressed  him  re- 
plied, by  dryly  demanding,  in  the  language  of  the  Canadas, — • 

"  When  our  Great  Father  speaks  to  his  people,  is  it  with 
the  tongue  of  a  Huron  ? " 

"  He  knows  no  difference  in  his  children,  whether  the 
color  of  the  skin  be  red,  or  black,  or  white,"  returned  Duncan, 
evasively ;  "  though  chiefly  is  he  satisfied  with  the  brave 
Hurons." 

"  In  what  manner  will  he  speak,"  demanded  the  wary 
chief,  "  when  the  runners  count  to  him  the  scalps  which  five 
nights  ago  grew  on  the  heads  of  the  Yengeese  ? " 

"  They  were  his  enemies,"  said  Duncan,  shuddering  in- 
voluntarily;  "and,  doubtless,  he  will  say,  It  is  good — my 
Hurons  are  very  gallant." 

"  Our  Canada  father  does  not  think  it.  Instead  of  looking 
forward  to  reward  his  Indians,  his  eyes  are  turned  backward. 
He  sees  the  dead  Yengeese,  but  no  Huron.  What  can  this 
mean  ?  " 

"  A  great  chief  like  him  has  more  thoughts  than  tongues. 
He  looks  to  see  that  no  enemies  are  on  his  trail." 

"  The  canoe  of  a  dead  warrior  will  not  float  on  the  Hori- 
can,"  returned  the  savage  gloomily.  "  His  ears  are  open  to 
the  Delawares,  who  are  not  our  friends,  and  they  will  fill  them 
with  lies." 

"  It  cannot  be.  See  ;  he  has  bid  me,  who  am  a  man  that 
knows  the  art  of  healing,  to  go  to  his  children,  the  red  Hurons 
of  the  great  lakes,  and  ask  if  any  are  sick !  " 

Another  silence  succeeded  this  annunciation  of  the  char- 
acter Duncan  had  assumed.  Every  eye  was  simultaneously 
bent  on  his  person,  as  if  to  inquire  into  the  truth  or  falsehood 
of  the  declaration,  with  an  intelligence  and  keenness  that 
caused  the  subject  of  their  scrutiny  to  tremble  for  the  result. 
He  was,  however,  relieved  again  by  the  former  speaker. 

"  Do  the  cunning  men  of  the  Canadas  paint  their  skins  ?  " 
the  Huron  coldly  continued  ;  "  we  have  heard  them  boast 
that  their  faces  were  pale." 

"  When  an  Indian  chief  comes  among  his  white  fathers," 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

returned  Duncan,  with  great  steadiness,  "he  lays  aside  hit 
buffalo  robe,  to  carry  the  shirt  thac  is  offered  him.  My 
brothers  have  given  me  paint,  and  I  wear  it." 

A  low  murmur  of  applause  announced  that  the  compliment 
to  the  tribe  was  favorably  received.  The  elderly  chief  made 
a  gesture  of  commendation,  which  was  answered  by  rnost  of 
his  companions,  who  each  threw  forth  a  hand,  and  uttered  a 
brief  exclamation  of  pleasure.  Duncan  began  to  breathe 
more  freely,  believing  that  the  weight  of  his  examination  was 
past ;  and  as  he  had  already  prepared  a  simple  and  probable 
tale  to  support  his  pretended  occupation,  his  hopes  of  ulti- 
mate success  grew  brighter. 

After  a  silence  of  a  few  moments,  as  if  adjusting  his 
thoughts,  in  order  to  make  a  suitable  answer  to  the  declar- 
ation their  guests  had  just  given,  another  warrior  arose  and 
placed  himself  in  an  attitude  to  speak.  While  his  lips  were 
yet  in  the  act  of  parting,  a  low  but  fearful  sound  arose  from 
the  forest,  and  was  immediately  succeeded  by  a  high,  shrill 
yell,  that  was  drawn  out,  until  it  equalled  the  longest  and 
most  plaintive  howl  of  the  wolf.  The  sudden  and  terrible  in- 
terruption caused  Duncan  to  start  from  his  seat,  unconscious 
of  everything  but  the  effect  produced  by  so  frightful  a  cry. 
At  the  same  moment,  the  warriors  glided  in  a  body  from  the 
lodge,  and  the  outer  air  was  filled  with  loud  shouts,  that 
nearly  drowned  those  awful  sounds,  which  were  still  ringing 
beneath  the  arches  of  the  woods.  Unable  to  command  him- 
self any  longer,  the  youth  broke  from  the  place,  and  presently 
stood  in  the  centre  of  a  disorderly  throng,  that  included 
nearly  everything  having  life,  within  the  limits  of  the  encamp- 
ment. Men,  women,  and  children  ;  the  aged,  the  infirm,  the 
active,  and  the  strong,  were  alike  abroad,  some  exclaiming 
aloud,  others  clapping  their  hands  with  a  joy  that  seemed 
frantic,  and  all  expressing  their  savage  pleasure  in  some  un- 
expected event.  Though  astounded  at  first  by  the  uproar, 
Hey  ward  was  soon  enabled  to  find  its  solution  by  the  •  scene 
that  followed. 

There  yet  lingered  sufficient  light  in  the  heavens  to  ex- 
hibit those  bright  openings  among  the  tree-tops,  where  differ- 
ent paths  left  the  clearing  to  enter  the  depths  of  the  wilder- 
ness. Beneath  one  of  them,  a  line  of  warriors  issued  from 
the  woods  and  advanced  slowly  towards  the  dwellings.  One 
in  front  bore  a  short  pole,  on  which,  as  it  afterwards  ap- 
peared, were  suspended  several  human  scalps.  The  startling 
sounds  that  Duncan  had  heard,  were  what  the  whites  have, 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  241 

not  inappropriately  called  the  "  death-hallo  ;  "  and  each  repe- 
tition of  the  cry  was  intended  to  announce  to  the  tribe  the 
/ate  of  an  enemy.  Thus  far  the  knowledge  of  Heyward 
assisted  him  in  the  explanation ;  and  as  he  knew  that  the 
interruption  was  caused  by  the  unlooked-for  return  of  a 
successful  war-party,  every  disagreeable  sensation  was  quieted 
in  inward  congratulations,  for  the  opportune  relief  and  insig- 
nificance it  conferred  on  himself. 

When  at  the  distance  of  a  few  hundred  feet  from  the 
lodges,  the  newly  arrived  warriors  halted.  The  plaintive  and 
terrific  cry,  which  was  intended  to  represent  equally  the  wail- 
ings  of  the  dead  and  the  triumph  of  the  victors,  had  entirely 
ceased.  One  of  their  number  now  called  aloud,  in  words  that 
were  far  from  appalling,  "though  not  more  intelligible  to  those 
for  whose  ears  they  were  intended,  than  their  expressive 
yells.  It  would  be  difficult  to  convey  a  suitable  idea  of  the 
savage  ecstasy  with  which  the  news,  thus  imparted,  was 
received.  The  whole  encampment,  in  a  moment,  became  a 
scene  of  the  most  violent  bustle  and  commotion.  The  war 
riors  drew  their  knives,  and  flourishing  them,  they  arranged 
themselves  in  two  lines,  forming  a  lane  that  extended  from 
the  war-party  to  the  lodges.  The  squaws  seized  clubs,  axes, 
or  whatever  weapon  of  offence  first  offered  itself  to  their 
hands,  and  rushed  eagerly  to  act  their  part  in  the  cruel  game 
that  was  at  hane.  Even  the  children  would  not  be  excluded  ; 
but  boys,  little  able  to  wield  the  instruments,  tore  the  toma- 
hawks from  the  belts  of  their  fathers,  and  stole  into  the  ranks, 
apt  imitators  of  the  savage  traits  exhibited  by  their  parents. 

Large  piles  of  brush  lay  scattered  about  the  clearing,  and 
a  wary  and  aged  squaw  was  occupied  firing  as  many  as  might 
serve  to  light  the  coming  exhibition.  As  the  flame  arose,  its 
power  exceeded  that  of  the  parting  day,  and  assisted  to  render 
objects  at  the  same  time  more  distinct  and  more  hideous. 
The  whole  scene  formed  a  striking  picture,  whose  frame  was 
composed  of  the  dark  and  tall  border  of  pines.  The  warriors 
just  arrived  were  the  most  distant  figures.  A  little  in  advance 
stood  two  men,  who  were  apparently  selected  from  the  rest,  as 
the  principal  actors  in  what  was  to  follow.  The  light  was  not 
strong  enough  to  render  their  features  distinct,  though  it  was 
quite  evident  that  they  were  governed  by  very  different  emo- 
tions. While  one  stood  erect  and  firm,  prepared  to  meet  his  fate 
like  a  hero,  the  other  bowed  his  head,  as  if  palsied  by  terror  or 
stricken  with  shame.  The  high-spirited  Duncan  felt  a  power- 
fuHmpulse  of  admiration  and  pity  towards  the  former,  though 


2  42  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

no  opportunity  could  offer  to  exhibit  his  generous  emotion^ 
He  watched  his  slightest  movement,  however,  with  eagel 
eyes  ;  and  as  he  traced  the  fine  outline  of  his  admirably  pro* 
portioned  and  active  frame,  he  endeavored  to  persuade  him* 
self  that  if  the  powers  of  man,  seconded  by  such  noble  reso- 
lution, could  bear  one  harmless  through  so  severe  a  trial,  the 
youthful  captive  before  him  might  hope  for  success  in  the 
hazardous  race  he  was  about  to  run.  Insensibly  the  young 
man  drew  nigher  to  the  swarthy  lines  of  the  Hurons,  and 
scarcely  breathed,  so  intense  became  his  interest  in  the  spec- 
tacle. Just  then  the  signal  yell  was  given,  and  the  momen" 
tary  quiet  which  had  preceded  it  was  broken  by  a  burst  of 
cries,  that  far  exceeded  any  before  heard.  The  most  abject 
of  the  two  victims  continued  motionless ;  but  the  other 
bounded  from  the  place  at  the  cry,  with  the  activity  and 
swiftness  of  a  deer.  Instead  of  rushing  through  the  hostile 
lines,  as  had  been  expected,  he  just  entered  the  dangerous 
defile,  and  before  time  was  given  for  a  single  blow,  turned 
short,  and  leaping  the  heads  of  a  row  of  children,  he  gained 
at  once  the  exterior  and  safer  side  of  the  formidable  array. 
The  artifice  was  answered  by  a  hundred  voices  raised  in  im- 
precations ;  and  the  whole  of  the  excited  multitude  broke 
from  their  order,  and  spread  themselves  about  the  place  in 
wild  confusion. 

A  dozen  blazing  piles  now  shed  their  lurid  brightness  on 
the  place,  which  resembled  some  unhallowed  and  supernatural 
arena,  in  which  malicious  demons  had  assembled  to  act  their 
bloody  and  lawless  rites.  The  forms  in  the  background 
looked  like  unearthly  beings,  gliding  before  the  eye,  and  cleav- 
ing the  air,  with  frantic  and  unmeaning  gestures  ;  while  the 
savage  passions  of  such  as  passed  the  flames,  were  rendered 
fearfully  distinct  by  the  gleams  that  shot  athwart  their  inflamed 
visages. 

It  will  easily  be  understood,  that  amid  such  a  concourse 
of  vindictive  enemies,  no  breathing  time  was  allowed  the  fugi- 
tive. There  was  a  single  moment  when  it  seemed  as  if  he 
would  have  reached  the  forest,  but  the  whole  body  of  his  cap- 
tors threw  themselves  before  him,  and  drove  him  back  into 
the  centre  of  his  relentless  persecutors.  Turning  like  a 
headed  deer,  he  shot,  with  the  swiftness  of  an  arrow,  through 
a  pillar  of  forked  flame,  and  passing  the  whole  multitude 
harmless,  he  appeared  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  clearing. 
Here,  too,  he  was  met  and  turned  by  a  few  of  the  older  and 
more  subtle  of  the  Hurons.  Once  more  he  tried  the  throng, 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  $43 

as  If  seeking  safety  in  its  blindness,  and  then  several  momenta 
succeeded,  during  which  Duncan  believed  the  active  and 
courageous  young  stranger  was  lost. 

Nothing  could  be  distinguished  but  a  dark  mass  of  human 
forms  tossed  and  involved  in  inexplicable  confusion.  Arms, 
gleaming  knives,  and  formidable  clubs,  appeared  above  them, 
but  the  blows  were  evidently  given  at  random.  The  awful 
effect  was  heightened  by  the  piercing  shrieks  of  the  women 
and  the  fierce  yells  of  the  warriors.  Now  and  then  Duncan 
caught  a  glimpse  of  a  light  form  cleaving  the  air  in  some  des- 
perate bound,  and  he  rather  hoped  than  believed  that  the 
captive  yet  retained  the  command  of  his  astonishing  powers 
of  activity.  Suddenly  the  multitude  rolled  backward,  and  ap- 
proached the  spot  where  he  himself  stood.  The  heavy  body 
in  the  rear  pressed  upon  the  women  and  children  in  front,  and 
bore  them  to  the  earth.  The  stranger  reappeared  in  the  con- 
fusion. Human  power  could  not,  however,  much  longer  endure 
so  severe  a  trial.  Of  this  the  captive  seemed-  conscious. 
Profiting  by  the  momentary  opening,  he  darted  from  among 
the  warriors,  and  made  a  desperate,  and,  what  seemed  to  Dun- 
can, a  final  effort  to  gain  the  wood.  As  if  aware  that  no 
danger  was  td  be  apprehended  from  the  young  soldier,  the 
fugitive  nearly  brushed  his  person  in  his  flight.  A  tall  and 
powerful  Huron,  who  had  husbanded  his  forces,  pressed  close 
upon  his  heels,  and  w?.th  an  uplifted  arm  menaced  a  fatal 
blow.  Duncan  thrust  forth  a  foot,  and  the^shock  precipitated 
the  eager  savage  headlong,  many  feet  in  advance  of  his  in- 
tended victim.  Thought  itself  is  not  quicker  than  was  the 
motion  with  which  the  latter  profited  by  the  advantage  ;  he 
turned,  gleamed  like  a  meteor  again  before  the  eyes  of  Dun- 
can, and  at  the  next  moment,  when  the  latter  recovered  his 
recollection,  and  gazed  around  in  quest  of  the  captive,  he  saw 
him  quietly  leaning  against  a  small  painted  post,  which  stood 
before  the  door  of  the  principal  lodge. 

Apprehensive  that  the  part  he  had  taken  in  the  escape 
might  prove  fatal  to  himself,  Duncan  left  the  place  without 
delay.  He  followed  the  crowd,  which  drew  nigh  the  lodges, 
gloomy  and  sullen,  like  any  other  multitude  that  had  been 
disappointed  in  an  execution.  Curiosity,  or  perhaps  a  better 
feeling,  induced  him  to  approach  the  stranger.  He  found 
him  standing  with  one  arm  cast  about  the  protecting  post, 
and  breathing  thick  and  hard,  after  his  exertions,  but  disdain- 
ing *;o  permit  a  single  sign  of  suffering  to  escape.  His  perso^ 
was  now  protected  by  immemorial  and  sacred  usage,  until  the 


244 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


tribe  in  council  had  deliberated  and  determined  on  his  fate, 
It  was  not  difficult,  however,  to  foretell  the  result,  if  any  pre- 
sage could  be  drawn  from  the  feelings  of  those  who  crowded 
the  place. 

There  was  no  term  of  abuse  known  to  the  Huron  vocabu-. 
lary  that  the  disappointed  women  did  not  lavishly  expend  on 
the  successful  stranger.  They  flouted  at  his  efforts  and  told 
him,  with  bitter  scoffs,  that  his  feet  were  better  than  his  hands, 
and  that  he  merited  wings,  while  he  knew  not  the  use  of  an 
arrow  or  a  knife.  To  all  this  the  captive  made  no  reply,  but 
was  content  to  preserve  an  attitude  in  which  dignity  was  sin- 
gularly blended  with  disdain.  Exasperated  as  much  by  his 
composure  as  by  his  good  fortune,  their  words  became  unin- 
telligible, and  were  succeeded  by  shrill  piercing  yells.  Just 
then  the  crafty  squaw,  who  had  taken  the  necessary  precau- 
tions to  fire  the  piles,  made  her  way  through  the  throng,  and 
cleared  a  place  for  herself  in  front  of  the  captive.  The  squalid 
and  withered  person  of  this  hag  might  well  have  obtained  for 
her  the  character  of  possessing  more  than  human  cunning. 
Throwing  back  her  light  vestment,  she  stretched  forth  her  long 
skinny  arm,  in  derision,  and  using  the  language  of  the  Lenape, 
as  more  intelligible  to  the  subject  of  her  jibes,  she  commenced 
aloud, — 

"  Look  you,  Delaware  !  "  she  said,  snapping  her  ringers  in 
his  face  ;  "  your  nation  is  a  race  of  women,  and  the  hoe  is 
better  fitted  to  your  hands  than  the  gun.  Your  squaws  are 
the  mothers  of  deer  ;  but  if  a  bear,  or  a  wild  cat,  or  a  serpent, 
were  born  among  you,  ye  would  flee.  The  Huron  girls  shall 
make  you  petticoats,  and  we  will  find  you  a  husband." 

A  burst  of  savage  laughter  succeeded  this  attack,  during 
which  the  soft  and  musical  merriment  of  the  younger  females 
strangely  chimed  with  the  cracked  voice  of  their  older  and 
more  malignant  companion.  But  the  stranger  was  superior  to 
all  their  efforts. .  His  head  was  immovable  ;  nor  did  he  betray 
the  slightest  consciousness  that  any  were  present,  except  when 
his  haughty  eye  rolled  tov/ards  the  dusky  forms  of  the  war- 
riors, who  stalked  in  the  background,  silent  and  sullen  obser- 
vers of  the  scene. 

Infuriated  at  the  self-command  of  the  captive,  the  woman 
placed  her  arms  akimbo,  and  throwing  herself  into  a  posture 
of  defiance,  she  broke  out  anew,  in  a  torrent  of  words  that  no 
art  of  ours  could  commit  successfully  to  paper.  Her  breath 
was,  however,  expended  in  vain  ;  for,  although  distinguished 
in  her  nation  as  a  oroficient  in  the  art  of  abuse,  she  was  per 


THE  LAST  OF  7 HE  MOHICANS.  245 

mitted  to  work  herself  into  such  a  fury  as  actually  to  foam  a* 
the  mouth,  without  causing  a  muscle  to  vibrate  in  the  motion- 
less figure  of  the  stranger.  The  effect  of  his  indifference 
began  to  extend  itself  to  the  other  spectators,  and  a  youngster, 
who  was  just  quitting  the  condition  of  a  boy,  to  enter  the 
state  of  manhood,  attempted  to  assist  the  termagant,  by  flour- 
ishing his  tomahawk  before  their  victim,  and  adding  his  empty 
boasts  to  the  taunts  of  the  woman.  Then,  indeed,  the  captive 
turned  his  face  towards  the  light,  and  looked  down  on  the 
stripling  with  an  expression  that  was  superior  to  contempt. 
At  the  next  moment  he  resumed  his  quiet  and  reclining  atti- 
tude against  the  post.  But  the  change  of  posture  had  per- 
mitted Duncan  to  exchange  glances  with  the  firm  and  pierc- 
ing eyes  of  Uncas. 

Breathless  with  amazement,  and  heavily  oppressed  with 
the  critical  situation  of  his  friend,  Heyward  recoiled  before 
the  look,  trembling  lest  its  meaning  might,  in  some  unknown 
manner,  hasten  the  prisoner's  fate.  There  was  not  however, 
any  instant  cause  for  such  an  apprehension.  Just  then  a 
warrior  forced  his  way  into  the  exasperated  crowd.  Motioning 
the  women  and  children  aside  with  a  stern  gesture,  he  took 
Uncas  by  the  arm,  and  led  him  towards  the  door  of  the  council 
lodge.  Thither  all  the  chiefs,  and  most  of  the  distinguished 
warriors  followed,  among  whom  the  anxious  Heyward  found 
means  to  enter  without  attracting  any  dangerous  attention  to 
himself. 

A  few  minutes  were  consumed  in  disposing  of  those  present 
in  a  manner  suitable  to  their  rank  and  influence  in  the  tribe. 
An  order  very  similar  to  that  adopted  in  the  preceding  inter- 
view was  observed  ;  the  aged  and  superior  chiefs  occupying  the 
area  of  the  spacious  apartment,  within  the  powerful  light  of  a 
glaring  torch,  while  their  juniors  and  inferiors  were  arranged 
in  the  background,  presenting  a  dark  outline  of  swarthy 
and  marked  visages.  In  the  very  centre  of  the  lodge,  im- 
mediately under  an  opening  that  admitted  the  twinkling  light 
of  one  or  two  stars,  stood  Uncas,  calm,  elevated,  and  collected. 
His  high  and  haughty  carriage  was  not  lost  on  his  captors, 
who  often  bent  their  looks  on  his  person,  with  eyes  which, 
while  they  lost  none  of  their  inflexibility  of  purpose,  plainly 
betrayed  their  admiration  of  the  stranger's  daring. 

The  case  was  different  with  the  individual  whom  Duncan 
had  observed  to  stand  forth  with  his  friend,  previously  to  the 
desperate  trial  of  speed  ;  and  who,  instead  of  joining  in  the 
chase,  had  remained  throughout  its  turbulent  uproar  like  a 


246  THE  LAST  OF  TIf£  MOHICANS. 

cringing  statue,  expressive  of  shame  and  disgrace.  Though 
not  a  hand  had  been  extended  to  greet  him,  nor  yet  an  eye 
had  condescended  to  watch  his  movements,  he  had  also 
entered  the  lodge,  as  though  impelled  by  a  fate  to  whose  d& 
crees  he  submitted,  seemingly,  without  a  struggle.  Heyward 
profited  by  the  first  opportunity  to  gaze  in  his  face,  secretly 
apprehensive  he  might  find  the  features  of  another  acquaint 
ance ;  but  they  proved  to  be  those  of  a  stranger,  and,  what 
was  still  more  inexplicable,  of  one  who  bore  all  the  distinctive 
marks  of  a  Huron  warrior.  Instead  of  mingling  with  his 
tribe,  however,  he  sat  apart,  a  solitary  being  in  a  multitude, 
his  form  shrinking  into  a  crouching  and  abject  attitude,  as  if 
anxious  to  fill  as  little  space  as  possible.  When  each  in- 
dividual had  taken  his  proper  station,  and  silence  reigned  in 
the  place,  the  gray-haired  chief  already  introduced  to  the 
reader  spoke  aloud,  in  the  language  of  the  Lenni  Lenape. 

"  Delaware,"  he  said,  "  though  one  of  a  nation  of  women, 
you  have  proved  yourself  a  man.  I  would  give  you  food ; 
but  he  who  eats  with  a  Huron  should  become  his  friend. 
Rest  in  peace  till  the  morning  sun,  when  our  last  words  shall 
be  spoken." 

"  Seven  nights,  and  as  many  summer  days,  have  I  fasted 
on  the  trail  of  the  Hurons,"  Uncas  coldly  replied ;  "  the 
children  of  the  Lenape  know  how  to  travel  the  path  of  the 
just  without  lingering  to  eat." 

"  Two  of  my  young  men  are  in  pursuit  of  your  companion," 
resumed  the  other,  without  appearing  to  regard  the  boast  of 
his  captive  ;  "  when  they  get  back,  then  will  our  wise  men 
say  to  you  '  live  or  die.'  ' 

"  Has  a  Huron  no  ears  ?  "  scornfully  exclaimed  Uncas  ; 
"  twice,  since  he  has  been  your  prisoner,  has  the  Delaware 
heard  a  gun  that  he  knows.  Your  young  men  will  never 
come  back." 

A  short  and  sullen  pause  succeeded  this  bold  assertion. 
Duncan,  who  understood  the  Mohican  to  allude  to  the  fatal 
rifle  of  the  scout,  bent  forward  in  earnest  observation  of  the 
effect  it  might  produce  on  the  conquerors  ;  but  the  chief  was 
content  with  simply  retorting, — 

"  If  the  Lenape  are  so  skilful,  why  is  one  of  their  bravest 
warriors  here  ?  " 

"  He  followed  in  the  steps  of  a  flying  coward,  and  fell 
into  a  snare.  The  cunning  beaver  may  be  caught." 

As  Uncas  thus  replied,  he  pointed  with  his  finger  towards 
the  solitary  Huron,  but  without  deigning  to  bestow  any  other 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


247 


notice  on  so  unworthy  an  object.  The  words  of  the  answer 
and  the  air  of  the  speaker  produced  a  strong  sensation  among 
his  auditors.  Every  eye  rolled  sullenly  towards  the  individ- 
ual indicated  by  the  simple  gesture,  and  a  low,' threatening 
murmur  passed  through  the  crowd.  The  ominous  sounds 
reached  the  outer  door,  and  the  women  and  children  pressing 
into  the  throng,  no  gap  had  been  left,  between  shoulder  and 
shoulder,  that  was  not  now  filled  with  the  dark  lineaments  of 
some  eager  and  curious  human  countenance. 

In  the  mean  time  the  more  aged  chiefs,  in  the  centre,  com- 
muned with  each  other  in  short  and  broken  sentences.  Not 
a  word  was  uttered  that  did  not  convey  the  meaning  of  the 
speaker,  in  the  simplest  and  most  energetic  form.  Again,  a 
long  and  deeply  solemn  pause  took  place.  It  was  known, 
by  all  present,  to  be  the  grave  precurser  of  a  weighty  and 
important  judgment.  They  who  composed  the  outer  circle  of 
faces  were  on  tiptoe  to  gaze  ;  and  even  the  culprit  for  an  in- 
stant forgot  his  shame  in  a  deeper  emotion,  and  exposed  his 
abject  features,  in  order  to  cast  an  anxious  and  troubled 
glance  at  the  dark  assemblage  of  chiefs.  The  silence  was 
finally  broken  by  the  aged  warrior  so  often  named.  He  arose 
from  the  earth,  and  moving  past  the  immovable  form  of  Uncas, 
placed  himself  in  a  dignified  attitude  before  the  offender. 
At  that  moment,  the  withered  squaw  already  mentioned  moved 
into  the  circle,  in  a  slow,  sideling  sort  of  a  dance,  holding 
the  torch,  and  muttering  the  indistinct  words  of  what  might 
have  been  a  species  of  incantation.  Though  her  presence 
was  altogether  an  intrusion,  it  was  unheeded. 

Approaching  Uncas,  she  held  the  blazing  brand  in  such 
a  manner  as  to  cast  its  red  glare  on  his  person,  and  to  expose 
the  slightest  emotion  of  his  countenance.  The  Mohican 
maintained  his  firm  and  haughty  attitude  ;  and  his  eye,  so  far 
from  deigning  to  meet  her  inquisitive  look,  dwelt  steadily  on 
the  distance,  as  though  it  penetrated  the  obstacles  which  im- 
peded the  view,  and  looked  into  futurity.  Satisfied  with  her 
examination,  she  left  him,  with  a  slight  expression  of  pleasure, 
and  proceeded  to  practise  the  same  trying  experiment  on  her 
delinquent  countrymen. 

The  young  Huron  was  in  his  war  paint,  and  very  little  of 
a  finely  moulded  form  was  concealed  by  his  attire0  The  light 
rendered  every  limb  and  joint  discernible,  and  Duncan  turned 
away  in  horror  when  he  saw  they  were  writhing  in  inexpres- 
sible agony.  The  woman  was  commencing  a  low  and  plaintive 
howl  at  the  sad  and  shameful  spectacle,  when  the  chief  put 
forth  his  hand  and  gently  pushed  her  aside. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

"  Reed-that-bends,"  he  said,  addressing  the  young  culprit 
by  name,  and  in  his  proper  language,  "  though  the  Great 
Spirit  has  made  you  pleasant  to  the  eyes,  it  would  have  been 
better  that  you  had  not  been  born.  Your  tongue  is  loud  in 
the  village,  but  in  battle  it  is  till.  None  of  my  young  men 
strike  the  tomahawk  deeper  into  the  war-post — none  of  them 
so  lightly  on  the  Yengeese.  The  enemy  know  the  shape  of 
your  back,  but  they  hav  never  seen  the  color  of  your  eyes, 
Three  times  have  they  called  on  you  to  come,  and  as  often 
did  you  forget  to  answer.  Your  name  will  never  be  mentioned 
again  in  your  tribe — it  is  already  forgotten." 

As  the  chief  slowly  uttered  these  words,  pausing  impres- 
sively between  each  sentence,  the  culprit  raised  his  face,  in 
deference  to  the  other's  rank  and  years.  Shame,  horror,  and 
pride  struggled  in  its  lineaments.  His  eye,  which  was  con- 
tracted with  inward  anguish,  gleamed  on  the  persons  of  those 
whose  breath  was  his  fame  ;  and  the  latter  emotion  for  an  in- 
stant predominated.  He  arose  to  his  feet,  and  baring  his 
bosom,  looked  steadily  on  the  keen,  glittering  knife,  that 
was  already  upheld  by  his  inexorable  judge.  As  the  weap- 
on passed  slowly  into  his  heart  he  even  smiled,  as  if  in  joy  at 
having  found  death  less  dreadful  than  he  had  anticipated,  and 
fell  heavily  on  his  face,  at  the  feet  of  the  rigid  and  unyielding 
form  of  Uncas. 

The  squaw  gave  a  loud  and  plaintive  yell,  dashed  the 
torch  to  the  earth,  and  buried  everything  in  darkness.  The 
whole  shuddering  groups  of  spectators  glided  from  the  lodge, 
like  troubled  sprites  ;  and  Duncan  thought  that  he  anc  the 
yet  throbbing  body  of  the  victim  of  an  Indian  judgment,  had 
now  become  its  only  tenan 


CHAPTER  XXIV, 

Thus  spoke  the  sage :  the  kings  without  delay 
Dissolve  the  council,  and  their  chief  obey. 

POPE'S  ILIAD, 

A  SINGLE  moment  served  to  convince  the  youth  that  he 
was  mistaken.  A  hand  was  laid,  with  a  powerful  pressure,  on 
his  arm,  and  the  low  voice  of  Uncas  muttered  in  his  ears, — 

"The  Hurons  are  dogs.     The  sight  of  a  coward's  blood 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  24) 

can  never  make  a  warrior  tremble.  The  '  Grey  Head  '  and 
the  Sagamore  are  safe,  and  the  rifle  of  Hawk-eye  is  not  asleep. 
Go — Uncas  and  the  *  Open  Hand  '  are  now  strangers.  It  is 
enough." 

Heyward  would  gladly  have  heard  more,  but  the  gentle 
push  from  his  friend  urged  him  towards  the  door,  and  admon- 
ished him  of  the  danger  that  might  attend  the  discovery  of 
their  intercourse.  Slowly  and  reluctantly  yielding  to  the  ne- 
cessity, he  quitted  the  place,  and  mingled  with  the  throng  that 
hovered  nigh.  The  dying  fires  in  the  clearing  cast  a  dim  and 
uncertain  light  on  the  dusky  figures  that  were  silently  stalk- 
ing to  and  fro  ;  and  occasionally  a  brighter  gleam  than  com- 
mon glanced  into  the  lodge,  and  exhibited  the  figure  of  Uncas 
still  maintaining  his  upright  attitude  near  the  dead  body  of 
the  Huron. 

A  knot  of  warriors  soon  entered  the  place  again,  and  re- 
issuing they  bore  the  senseless  remains  into  the  adjacent 
woods.  After  this  termination  of  the  scene,  Duncan  wandered 
among  the  lodges,  unquestioned  and  unnoticed,  endeavoring 
to  find  some  trace  of  her  in  whose  behalf  he  incurred  the  risk 
he  ran.  In  the  present  temper  of  the  tribe,  it  would  have 
been  easy  to  have  fled  and  rejoined  his  companions,  had  such 
a  wish  crossed  his  mind.  But,  in  addition  to  the  naver-ceas- 
ing  anxiety  on  account  of  Alice,  a  fresher,  though  feebler,  in- 
terest in  the  fate  of  Uncas  assisted  to  chain  him  to  the  spot. 
He  continued,  therefore,  to  stray  from  hut  to  hut,  looking 
into  each  only  to  encounter  additional  disappointment,  until 
he  had  made  the  entire  circuit  of  the  village.  Abandoning  a 
species  of  inquiry  that  proved  so  fruitless,  he  retraced  his  steps 
to  the  council  lodge,  resolved  to  seek  and  question  David,  in 
order  to  put  an  end  to  his  doubts. 

On  reaching  the  building  which  had  proved  alike  the  seat 
of  judgment  and  the  place  of  execution,  the  young  man  found 
that  the  excitement  had  already  subsided.  The  warriors  had 
re-assembled,  and  were  now  calmly  smoking,  while  they  con- 
versed gravely  on  the  chief  incidents  of  their  recent  expedi- 
tion to  the  head  of  the  Horican.  Though  the  return  of  Dun- 
can was  likely  to  remind  them  of  his  character,  and  the  sus- 
picious circumstances  of  his  visit,  it  produced  no  visible  sen- 
sation. So  far,  the  terrible  scene  that  had  just  occurred 
proved  favorable  to  his  views,  and  he  required  no  other 
prompter  than  his  own  feelings  to  convince  him  of  the  expedi- 
ency of  profiting  by  so  unexpected  an  advantage. 

Without  seeming  to  hesitate,  he  walked  into  the  lodge 


*S0  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

and  took  his  seat  with  a  gravity  that  accorded  admirably  with 
the  deportment  of  his  hosts.  A  hasty  but  searching  glance 
sufficed  to  tell  him  that,  though  Uncas  still  remained  where 
he  had  left  him,  David  had  not  reappeared.  No  other  re- 
straint was  imposed  on  the  former  than  the  watchful  looks  of 
a  young  Huron,  who  had  placed  himself  at  hand  ;  though  an 
armed  warrior  leaned  against  the  post  that  formed  one  side 
of  the  narrow  door-way.  In  every  other  respect,  the  captive 
seemed  at  liberty  ;  still  he  was  excluded  from  all  participation 
in  the  discourse,  and  possessed  much  more  of  the  air  of  some 
finely  moulded  statue  than  a  man  having  life  and  volition. 

Hey  ward  had  too  recently  witnessed  a  frightful  instance  oi 
the  prompt  punishments  of  the  people  into  whose  hands  he 
had  fallen,  to  hazard  an  exposure  by  any  officious  boldness. 
He  would  greatly  have  preferred  silence  and  meditation  to 
speech,  when  a  discovery  of  his  real  condition  might  prove 
so  instantly  fatal.  Unfortunately  for  this  prudent  resolution, 
his  entertainers  appeared  otherwise  disposed.  He  had  not 
long  occupied  the  seat  wisely  taken  a  little  in  the  shade,  when 
another  of  the  elder  warriors,  who  spoke  the  French  language, 
addressed  him  : — 

"  My  Canada  father  does  not  forget  his  children,"  said  the 
chief ;  "  I  thank  him.  An  evil  spirit  lives  in  the  wife  of  one 
of  my  young  men.  Can  the  cunning  stranger  frighten  him 
away  ? " 

Heyward  possessed  some  knowledge  of  the  mummery 
practised  among  the  Indians,  in  the  cases  of  such  supposed 
visitations.  He  saw  at  a  glance,  that  the  circumstances  might 
possibly  be  improved  to  further  his  own  ends.  It  would, 
therefore,  have  been  difficult,  just  then,  to  have  uttered  a  pro- 
posal that  would  have  given  him  more  satisfaction.  Aware 
of  the  necessity  of  preserving  the  dignity  of  his  imaginary 
character,  however,  he  repressed  his  feelings,  and  answered 
with  suitable  mystery, — 

"  Spirits  differ  ;  some  yield  to  the  power  of  wisdom,  while 
others  are  too  strong." 

"  My  brother  is  a  great  medicine,"  said  the  cunning 
savage  ;  "  he  will  try  ? " 

A  gesture  of  assent  was  the  answer.  The  Huron  was  con* 
tent  with  the  assurance,  and  resuming  his  pipe,  he  awaited 
the  proper  moment  to  move.  The  impatient  Heyward,  in^ 
wardly  execrating  the  cold  customs  of  the  savages,  which  re- 
quired such  sacrifices  to  appearance,  was  fain  to  assume  an 
air  of  indifference,  equal  to  that  maintained  by  the  chief,  who 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  35. 

was,  in  truth,  a  near  relative  of  the  afflicted  woman.  The 
minutes  lingered,  and  the  delay  had  seemed  an  hour  to  the 
adventurer  in  empiricism,  when  the  Huron  laid  aside  his  pipe, 
and  drew  his  robe  across  his  breast,  as  if  about  to  lead  the 
way  to  the  lodge  of  the  invalid.  Just  then  a  warrior  of  power- 
ful frame  darkened  the  door,  and  stalking  silently  among  the 
attentive  group,  he  seated  himself  on  one  end  of  the  low  pile 
of  brush  which  sustained  Duncan.  The  latter  cast  an  im- 
patient look  at  his  neighbor,  and  felt  his  flesh  creep  with  un- 
controllable horror  when  he  found  himself  in  actual  contact 
with  Magua. 

The  sudden  return  of  this  artful  and  dreaded  chief  caused 
a  delay  in  the  departure  of  the  Huron.  Several  pipes,  that 
had  been  extinguished,  were  lighted  again,  while  the  new^ 
comer,  without  speaking  a  word,  drew  his  tomahawk  from  his 
girdle,  and  filling  the  bowl  on  its  head,  began  to  inhale  the 
vapors  of  the  weed  through  the  hollow  handle,  with  as  much 
indifference  as  if  he  had  not  been  absent  two  weary  days  on  a 
long  and  toilsome  hunt.  Ten  minutes,  which  appeared  so 
many  ages  to  Duncan,  might  have  passed  in  this  manner ;  and 
the  warriors  were  fairly  enveloped  in  a  cloud  of  white  smoke 
before  any  of  them  spoke. 

"  Welcome  !  "  one  at  length  uttered  ;  "  has  my  friend 
found  the  moose  ?  " 

"  The  young  men  stagger  under  their  burdens,"  returned 
Magua.  "  Let  '  Reed-that-bends  '  go  on  the  hunting  path ; 
he  will  meet  them." 

A  deep  and  awful  silence  succeeded  the  utterance  of  the 
forbidden  name.  Each  pipe  dropped  from  the  lips  of  its 
owner  as  though  all  had  inhaled  an  impurity  at  the  same  in- 
stant. The  smoke  wreathed  above  their  heads  in  little  eddies, 
and  curling  in  a  spiral  form,  it  ascended  swiftly  through  the 
opening  in  the  roof  of  the  lodge,  leaving  the  place  beneath 
clear  of  its  fumes,  and  each  dark  visage  distinctly  visible. 
The  looks  of  most  of  the  warriors  were  riveted  on  the  earth  ; 
though  a  few  of  the  younger  and  less  gifted  of  the  party  suf- 
fered their  wild  and  glaring  eye-balls  to  roll  in  the  direction 
of  a  white-headed  savage,  who  sat  between  two  of  the  most 
venerated  chiefs  of  the  tribe.  There  was  nothing  in  the  air 
or  attire  of  this  Indian  that  would  seem  to  entitle  him  to  such 
a  distinction.  The  former  was  rather  depressed,  than  re- 
markable for  the  bearing  of  the  natives  ;  and  the  latter  was 
such  as  was  commonly  worn  by  the  ordinary  men  of  the 
nation.  Like,  most  around  him,  for  more  than  a  minute  hi» 


252  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

look  too  was  on  the  ground  ;  but,  trusting  his  eyes  at  length 
to  steal  a  glance  aside,  he  perceived  he  was  becoming  an  ob« 
ject  of  general  attention.  Then  he  arose  and  lifted  his  voice 
in  the  general  silence. 

"  It  was  a  lie,"  he  said  ;  "  I  had  no  son.  He  who  was 
called  by  that  name  is  forgotten ;  his  blood  was  pale,  and  it 
came  not  from  the  veins  of  a  Huron  ;  the  wicked  Chippewas 
cheated  my  squaw.  The  Great  Spirit  has  said,  that  the  family 
of  Wiss-en-tush  should  end — he  is  happy  who  knows  that  the 
evil  of  his  race  dies  with  himself.  I  have  done." 

The  speaker,  who  was  the  father  of  the  recreant  young 
Indian,  looked  round  and  about  him,  as  if  seeking  commenda- 
tion of  his  stoicism  in  the  eyes  of  his  auditors.  But  the 
stern  customs  of  his  people  had  made  too  severe  an  exaction 
of  the  feeble  old  man.  The  expression  of  his  eye  contradicted 
his  figurative  and  boastful  language,  while  every  muscle  in  his 
wrinkled  visage  was  working  with  anguish.  Standing  a  single 
minute  to  enjoy  his  bitter  triumph,  he  turned  away,  as  if 
sickening  at  the  gaze  of  men,  and  veiling  his  face  in  his 
blanket,  he  walked  from  the  lodge  with  the  noiseless  step  of 
an  Indian,  seeking,  in  the  privacy  of  his  own  abode,  the  sym- 
pathy of  one  like  himself,  aged,  forlorn,  and  childless. 

The  Indians,  who  believe  in  the  hereditary  transmission 
of  virtues  and  defects  in  character,  suffered  him  to  depart  in 
silence.  Then,  with  an  elevation  of  breeding  that  many  in  a 
more  cultivated  state  of  society  might  profitably  emulate,  one 
of  the  chiefs  drew  the  attention  of  the  young  men  from  the 
weakness  they  had  just  witnessed,  by  saying  in  a  cheerful 
voice,  addressing  himself  in  courtesy  to  Magua,  as  the  newest 
comer, — 

"  The  Delawares  have  been  like  bears  after  the  honeypots, 
prowling  around  my  village.  But  who  has  ever  found  a  Huron 
asleep  ? " 

The  darkness  of  the  impending  cloud  which  precedes  a 
burst  of  thunder  was  not  blacker  than  the  brow  of  Magua  as 
he  exclaimed, — 

"  The  Delawares  of  the  Lakes  !  " 

"  Not  so.  They  who  wear  the  petticoats  of  squaws,  on 
their  own  river.  One  of  them  has  been  passing  the  tribe." 

"  Did  my  young  men  take  his  scalp  ? " 

"  His  legs  were  good,  though  his  arm  is  better  for  the  hoe 
than  the  tomahawk,"  returned  the  other,  pointing  to  the  im- 
movable form  of  Uncas. 

Instead  of  manifesting  any  womanish  curiosity  to  feast  his 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICAN'S. 


2S3 


eyes  with  the  sight  of  a  captive  from  a  people  he  was  known 
to  have  so  much  reason  to  hate,  Magua  continued  to  smoke, 
with  the  meditative  air  that  he  usually  maintained,  when  thert 
was  no  immediate  call  on  his  cunning  or  his  eloquence. 
Although  secretly  amazed  at  the  facts  communicated  by  the 
speech  of  the  aged  father,  he  permitted  himself  to  ask  no 
questions,  reserving  his  inquiries  for  a  more  suitable  moment. 
It  was  only  after  a  sufficient  interval  that  he  shook  the  ashes 
from  his  pipe,  replaced  the  tomahawk,  tightened  his  girdle, 
and  arose,  casting  for  the  first  time  a  glance  in  the  direction 
of  the  prisoner,  who  stood  a  little  behind  him.  The  wary, 
though  seemingly  abstracted  Uncas,  caught  a  glimpse  of  the 
movement,  and  turning  suddenly  to  the  light  their  looks  met. 
Near  a  minute  these  two  bold  and  untamed  spirits  stood  re- 
garding one  another  steadily  in  the  eye,  neither  quailing  in 
the  least  before  the  fierce  gaze  he  encountered.  The  form  of 
Uncas  dilated,  and  his  nostrils  opened  like  those  of  a  tiger  at 
bay ;  but  so  rigid  and  unyielding  was  his  posture,  that  he 
might  easily  have  been  converted  by  the  imagination  into  an 
exquisite  and  faultless  representation  of  the  warlike  deity  of 
his  tribe.  The  lineaments  of  the  quivering  features  of  Magua 
proved  more  ductile  ;  his  countenance  gradually  lost  its  char- 
acter of  defiance  in  an  expression  of  ferocious  joy,  and  heav- 
ing a  breath  from  the  very  bottom  of  his  chest,  he  pronounced 
aloud  the  formidable  name  of, — 

"  Le  Cerf  agile  ! " 

Each  warrior  sprang  upon  his  feet  at  the  utterance  of  the 
well-known  appellation,  and  there  was  a  short  period  during 
which  the  stoical  constancy  of  the  natives  was  completely 
conquered  by  surprise.  The  hated  and  yet  respected  name 
was  repeated  as  by  one  voice,  carrying  the  sound  even  beyond 
the  limits  of  the  lodge.  The  women  and  children  who  lingered 
around  the  entrance,  took  up  the  words  in  an  echo,  which  was 
succeeded  by  another  shrill  and  plaintive  howl.  The  latter 
was  not  yet  ended,  when  the  sensation  among  the  men  had 
entirely  abated.  Each  one  in  presence  seated  himself,  as 
though  ashamed  of  his  precipitation  ;  but  it  was  many  minutes 
before  their  meaning  eyes  ceased  to  roll  towards  their  captive, 
in  curious  examination  of  a  warrior  who  had  so  often  proved 
his  prowess  on  the  best  and  proudest  of  their  nation.  Uncas 
enjoyed  his  victory,  but  was  content  with  merely  exhibiting 
his  triumph  by  a  quiet  smile — an  emblem  of  scorn  which  be- 
longs to  all  time  and  every  nation. 

Magua  caught  the  expression,  and  raising  his  arm,  he 


254  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS, 

shook  it  at  the  captive — the  light  silver  ornaments  attached 
to  his  bracelet  rattling  with  the  trembling  agitation  of  the  limb 
as,  in  a  tone  of  vengeance,  he  exclaimed,  in  English, — 

"  Mohican,  you  die  !  " 

"  The  healing  waters  will  never  bring  the  dead  Hurons  to 
life,"  returned  Uncas,  in  the  music  of  the  Delawares  ;  "  the 
tumbling  river  washes  their  bones  ;  their  men  are  squaws  ; 
their  women  owls.  Go  call  together  the  Huron  dogs,  that 
they  may  look  upon  a  warrior.  My  nostrils  are  offended; 
they  sent  the  blood  of  a  coward." 

The  latter  allusion  struck  deep,  and  the  injury  rankled. 
Many  of  the  Hurons  understood  the  strange  tongue  in  which 
the  captive  spoke,  among  which  number  was  Magua.  This 
cunning  savage  beheld,  and  instantly  profited  by  his  ad- 
vantage. Dropping  the  light  robe  of  skin  from  his  shoulder,  he 
stretched  forth  his  arm,  and  commenced  a  burst  of  his  danger- 
ous and  artful  eloquence.  However  much  his  influence  among 
his  people  had  been  impaired  by  his  occasional  and  besetting 
weakness,  as  well  as  by  his  desertion  of  the  tribe,  his  courage 
and  his  fame  as  an  orator  were  undeniable.  He  never  spoke 
without  auditors,  and  rarely  without  making  converts  to  his 
opinions.  On  the  present  occasion,  his  native  powers  were 
stimulated  by  the  thirst  of  revenge. 

He  again  recounted  the  events  of  the  attack  on  the  Island 
at  Glenn's  ;  the  death  of  his  associates  ;  and  the  escape  of  their 
most  formidable  enemies.  Then  he  described  the  nature  and 
position  of  the  mount  whither  he  had  led  such  captives  as  had 
fallen  into  their  hands.  Of  his  own  bloody  intentions  towards 
the  maidens,  and  of  his  baffled  malice  he  made  no  mention, 
but  passed  rapidly  on  to  the  surprise  of  the  party  by  "  La 
longue  Carabine,"  and  its  fatal  termination.  Here  he  paused 
and  looked  about  him,  in  affected  veneration  for  the  departed, 
but,  in  truth,  to  note  the  effect  of  his  opening  narrative.  As 
usual,  every  eye  was  riveted  on  his  face.  Each  dusky  figure 
seemed  a  breathing  statue,  so  motionless  was  the  posture,  so 
intense  the  attention  of  the  individual. 

Then  Magua  dropped  his  voice,  which  had  hitherto  been 
clear,  strong,  and  elevated,  and  touched  upon  the  merits  of 
the  dead.  No  quality  that  was  likely  to  command  the  sym 
pathy  of  an  Indian  escaped  his  notice.  One  had  never  been 
known  to  follow  the  chase  in  vain ;  another  had  been  inde- 
fatigable on  the  trail  of  their  enemies.  This  was  brave,  that 
generous.  In  short,  he  so  managed  his  allusions,  that  in  a 
nation  which  was  composed  of  so  few  families  he  contrived  to 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  255 

strike  every  chord  that  might  find,  in  its  turn,  some  breast  in 
which  to  vibrate. 

"  Are  the  bones  of  my  young  men,"  he  concluded,  "  in 
the  burial  place  of  the  Hurons  ?  You  know  they  are  not. 
Their  spirits  are  gone  towards  the  setting  sun,  and  are  ai 
ready  crossing  the  great  waters,  to  the  happy  hunting-grounds. 
But  they  departed  without  food,  without  guns  or  knives,  with- 
out moccasins,  naked  and  poor  as  they  were  born.  Shall 
this  be  ?  Are  their  souls  to  enter  the  land  of  the  just  like 
hungry  Iroquois  or  unmanly  Delawares ;  or  shall  they  meet 
their  friends  with  arms  in  their  hands  and  robes  on  their 
backs  ?  What  will  our  fathers  think  the  tribes  of  the  Wyan- 
dots  have  become  ?  They  will  look  on  their  children  with  a 
dark  eye,  and  say,  Go  ;  a  Chippewa  has  come  hither  with 
the  name  of  a  Huron.  Brothers,  we  must  not  forget  the  dead  ; 
a  red-skin  never  ceases  to  remember.  We  will  load  the  back 
of  this  Mohican  until  he  staggers  under  our  bounty,  and  dis- 
patch him  after  my  young  men.  They  call  to  us  for  aid, 
though  our  ears  are  not  open;  they  say,  Forget  us  not. 
When  they  see  the  spirit  of  this  Mohican  toiling  after  them 
with  his  burden,  they  will  know  we  are  of  that  mind.  Then 
will  they  go  on  happy;  and  our  children  will  say,  'So  did 
our  fathers  to  their  friends,  so  must  we  do  to  them.'  What 
is  a  Yengee  ?  we  have  slain  many,  but  the  earth  is  still  pale. 
A  stain  on  the  name  of  a  Huron  can  only  be  hid  by  blood 
that  comes  from  the  veins  of  an  Indian.  Let  this  Delaware 
die." 

The  effect  of  such  an  harangue,  delivered  in  the  nervous 
language  and.  with  the  emphatic  manner  of  a  Huron  orator, 
could  scarcely  be  mistaken.  Magua  had  so  artfully  blended 
the  natural  sympathies  with  the  religious  superstition  of  his 
auditors,  that  their  minds,  already  prepared  by  custom  to 
sacrifice  a  victim  to  the  manes  of  their  countrymen,  lost  every 
vestige  of  humanity  in  a  wish  for  revenge.  One  warrior  in 
particular,  a  man  of  wild  and  ferocious  mien,  had  been  con- 
spicuous for  the  attention  he  had  given  to  the  words  of  the 
speaker.  His  countenance  had  changed  with  each  passing 
emotion,  until  it  settled  into  a  look  of  deadly  malice.  As 
Magua  ended  he  arose,  and  uttering  the  yell  of  a  demon,  his 
polished  little  axe  was  seen  glancing  in  the  torchlight  as  he 
whirled  it  above  his  head.  The  motion  and  the  cry  were  too 
sudden  for  words  to  interrupt  his  bloody  intention.  It  ar> 
peared  as  if  a  bright  gleam  shot  from  his  hand,  which  was 
crossed  at  the  same  moment  by  a  dark  and  powerful  li 


256  THE  LAST  OP  THE  MOHICANS. 

The  former  was  the  tomahawk  in  its  passage  ;  the  latter  the 
arm  that  Magua  darted  forward  to  divert  its  aim.  The  quick 
and  ready  motion  of  the  chief  was  not  entirely  too  late.  The 
keen  weapon  cut  the  war-plume  from  the  scalping  tuft  of 
Uncas,  and  passed  through  the  frail  wall  of  the  lodge  as 
though  it  were  hurled  from  some  formidable  engine. 

Duncan  had  seen  the  threatening  action,  and  sprang  upon 
his  feet,  with  a  heart  which,  while  it  leaped  into  his  throat, 
swelled  with  the  most  generous  resolution  in  behalf  of  his 
friend.  A  glance  told  him  that  the  blow  failed,  and  terror 
changed  to  admiration.  Uncas  stood  still,  looking  his  enemy 
in  the  eye  with  features  that  seemed  superior  to  emotion. 
Marble  could  not  be  colder,  calmer,  or  steadier  than  the 
countenance  he  put  upon  this  sudden  and  vindictive  attack. 
Then,  as  if  pitying  a  want  of  skill  which  had  proved  so  for- 
tunate to  himself,  he  smiled,  and  muttered  a  few  words  of 
contempt  in  his  own  tongue. 

"  No  !  "  said  Magua,  after  satisfying  himself  of  the  safety 
of  the  captive  ;  "  the  sun  must  shine  on  his  shame ;  the 
squaws  must  see  his  flesh  tremble,  or  our  revenge  will  be  like 
the  play  of  boys.  Go — take  him  where  there  is  silence  ;  let 
us  see  if  a  Delaware  can  sleep  at  night,  and  in  the  morning 
die." 

The  young  men  whose  duty  it  was  to  guard  the  prisoner 
instantly  passed  their  ligaments  of  bark  across  his  arms,  and 
led  him  from  the  lodge,  amid  a  profound  and  ominous  silence. 
It  was  only  as  the  figure  of  Uncas  stood  in  the  opening  of 
the  door  that  his  firm  step  hesitated.  .There  he  turned,  and, 
in  the  sweeping  and  haughty  glance  that  he  threw  around  the 
circle  of  his  enemies,  Duncan  caught  a  look,  which  he  was 
glad  to  construe  into  an  expression  that  he  was  not  entirely 
deserted  by  hope. 

Magua' was  content  with  his  success,  or  too  much  occupied 
with  his  secret  purposes  to  push  his  inquiries  any  further. 
Shaking  his  mantle,  and  folding  it  on  his  bosom,  he  also 
quitted  the  place,  without  pursuing  a  subject  which  might 
have  proved  so  fatal  to  the  individual  at  his  elbow.  Notwith- 
standing his  rising  resentment,  his  natural  firmness,  and  his 
anxiety  in  behalf  of  Uncas,  Heyward  felt  sensibly  relieved  by 
the  absence  of  so  dangerous  and  so  subtle  a  foe.  The  ex. 
citement  produced  by  the  speech  gradually  subsided.  The 
warriors  resumed  their  seats,  and  clouds  of  smoke  once  more 
filled  the  lodge.  For  near  half  an  hour,  not  a  syllable  was 
uttered,  or  scarcely  a  look  cast  aside — a  grave  and  meditative 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICAN'S.  257 

silence  being  in  the  ordinary  succession  to  every  scene  o.1 
violence  and  commotion  amongst  those  beings,  who  were 
alike  so  impetuous  and  yet  so  self-restrained. 

When  the  chief  who  had  solicited  the  aid  of  Duncan 
finished  his  pipe,  he  made  a  final  and  successful  movement 
towards  departing.  A  motion  of  a  finger  was  the  intimation 
he  gave  the  supposed  physician  to  follow ;  and  passing 
through  the  clouds  of  smoke,  Duncan  was  glad,  on  more  ac- 
counts than  one,  to  be  able,  at  last,  to  breathe  the  pure  air  of 
a  cool  and  refreshing  summer  evening. 

Instead  of  pursuing  his  way  among  those  lodges  where  Hey- 
ward  had  already  made  his  unsuccessful  search,  his  companion 
turned  aside,  and  proceeded  directly  towards  the  base  of  an  ad- 
jacent mountain,  which  overhung  the  temporary  village.  A 
thicket  of  brush  skirted  its  foot,  and  it  became  necessary  to 
proceed  through  a  crooked  and  narrow  path.  The  boys  had 
resumed  their  sports  in  the  clearing,  and  were  enacting  a  mimic 
chase  to  the  post  among  themselves.  In  order  to  render  their 
games  as  like  the  reality  as  possible,  one  of  the  boldest  of  their 
number  had  conveyed  a  few  brands  into  some  piles  of  tree  tops 
that  had  hitherto  escaped  the  burning.  The  blaze  of  one  of 
these  fires  lighted  the  way  of  the  chief  and  Duncan,  and  gave 
a  character  of  additional  wildness  to  the  rude  scenery.  At  a 
little  distance  from  a  bald  rock,  and  directly  in  its  front,  they 
entered  a  grassy  opening,  which  they  prepared  to  cross.  Just 
then  fresh  fuel  was  added  to  the  fire,  and  a  powerful  light  pen- 
etrated even  to  that  distant  spot.  It  fell  upon  the  white  surface 
of  the  mountain  and  was  reflected  downwards  upon  a  dark  and 
mysterious-looking  being  that  arose  unexpectedly  in  their  path. 

The  Indian  paused,  as  if  doubtful  whether  to  proceed,  and 
permitted  his  companion  to  approach  his  side.  A  large  black 
ball,  which  at  first  seemed  stationary,  now  began  to  move  in  a 
manner  that  to  the  latter  was  inexplicable.  Again  the  fire 
brightened,  and  its  glare  fell  more  distinctly  on  the  object. 
Then,  even  Duncan  knew  it — by  its  restless  and  sideling  atti 
tudes,  which  kept  the  upper  part  of  its  form  in  constant  motion 
while  the  animal  itself  appeared  seated — to  be  a  bear.  Though 
it  growled  loudly  and  fiercely,  and  there  were  instants  when  its 
glistening  eyeballs  might  be  seen,  it  gave  no  other  indications 
of  hostility.  The  Huron,  at  least,  seemed  assured  that  the  in- 
tuitions  of  this  singular  intruder  were  peaceable,  for,  after  giv- 
ing it  an  attentive  examination,  he  quietly  pursued  his  course. 

Duncan,  who  knew  that  the  animal  was  often  domesticated 
among  the  Indians,  followed  the  example  of  his  companion,  b^. 


258  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

lieving  that  some  favorite  of  the  tribe  had  found  its  way  mta 
the  thicket,  in  search  of  food.  They  passed  it  unmolested. 
Though  obliged  to  come  nearly  in  contact  with  the  monster, 
the  Huron,  who  had  at  first  so  warily  determined  the  character 
of  his  strange  visitor,  was  now  content  with  proceeding  without 
wasting  a  moment  in  further  examination  ;  but  Heyward  wai 
unable  to  prevent  his  eyes  from  looking  backward,  in  salutary 
watchfulness  against  attacks  in  the  rear.  His  uneasiness  was 
in  no  degree  diminished  when  he  perceived  the  beast  rolling 
along  their  path  and  following  their  footsteps.  He  would  have 
spoken,  but  the  Indian  at  that  moment  shoved  aside  a  door  of 
bark,  and  entered  a  cavern  in  the  bosom  of  the  mountain. 

Profiting  by  so  easy  a  method  of  retreat,  Duncan  stepped 
after  him,  and  was  gladly  closing  the  slight  cover  to  the  open- 
ing when  he  felt  it  drawn  from  his  hand  by  the  beast,  whose 
shaggy  form  immediately  darkened  the  passage.  They  were 
now  in  a  straight  and  long  gallery,  in  a  chasm  of  the  rocks 
where  retreat  without  encountering  the  animal  was  impossible. 
Making  the  best  of  the  circumstances,  the  young  man  pressed 
forward,  keeping  as  close  as  possible  to  his  conductor.  The 
bear  growled  frequently  at  his  heels,  and  once  or  twice  its 
enormous  paws  were  laid  on  his  person,  as  if  disposed  to  pre- 
vent his  further  passage  into  the  den. 

How  long  the  nerves  of  Heyward  would  have  sustained  him 
in  this  extraordinary  situation,  it  might  be  difficult  to  decide  ; 
for,  happily,  he  soon  found  relief.  A  glimmer  of  light  had  con- 
stantly been  in  their  front,  and  they  now  arrived  at  the  place 
whence  it  proceeded. 

A  large  cavity  in  the  rock  had  been  rudely  fitted  to  answer 
the  purposes  of  many  apartments.  The  subdivisions  were  sim- 
ple but  ingenious,  being  composed  of  stone,  sticks,  and  bark 
intermingled.  Openings  above  admitted  the  light  by  day,  and 
at  night  fires  and  torches  supplied  the  place  of  the  sun.  Hither 
the  Hurons  had  brought  most  of  their  valuables,  especially 
those  which  more  particularly  pertained  to  the  nation  ;  and 
hither,  as  it  now  appeared,  the  sick  woman,  who  was  believed 
to  be  the  victim  of  supernatural  power,  had  been  transported 
also,  under  an  impression  that  her  tormentor  would  find  more 
difficulty  in  making  his  assaults  through  walls  of  stone  than 
through  the  leafy  coverings  of  the  lodges.  The  apartment  into 
which  Duncan  and  his  guide  first  entered  had  been  exclusively 
devoted  to  her  accommodation.  The  latter  approached  i»et 
bedside,  which  was  surrounded  by  females,  in  the  centre  --*.* 


TftE  LAS?  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


259 


whom    Heyward   was    surprised  to    find   his   missing   friend 
David. 

A  single  look  was  sufficient  to  apprise  the  pretended  leech 
that  the  invalid  was  far  beyond  his  powers  of  healing.  She 
lay  in  a  sort  of  paralysis,indifferent  to  the  objects  which  crowded 
before  her  sight,  and  happily  unconscious  of  suffering.  Hey- 
ward was  far  from  regretting  that  his  mummeries  were  to  be 
performed  on  one  who  was  much  too  ill  to  take  an  interest  in 
their  failure  or  success.  The  slight  qualm  of  conscience  which 
had  been  excited  by  the  intended  deception  was  instantly  ap- 
peased, and  he  began  to  collect  his  thoughts,  in  order  to  enact 
his  part  with  suitable  spirit,  when  he  found  he  was  about  to  be 
anticipated  in  his  skill  by  an  attempt  to  prove  the  power  of 
music. 

Gamut,  who  had  stood  prepared  to  pour  forth  his  spirit  in 
song  when  the  visitors  entered,  after  delaying  a  moment,  drew  a 
strain  from  his  pipe,  and  commenced  a  hymn  that  might  have 
worked  a  miracle,  had  faith  in  its  efficacy  been  of  much  avail. 
He  was  allowed  to  proceed  to  the  close,  the  Indians  respecting 
his  imaginary  infirmity,  and  Duncan  too  glad  of  the  delay  to 
hazard  the  slightest  interruption.  As  the  dying  cadence  of  his 
strains  was  falling  on  the  ears  of  the  latter,  he  started  aside  at 
hearing  them  repeated  behind  him,  in  a  voice  half  human  and 
half  sepulchral.  Looking  round,  he  beheld  the  shaggy  monster 
seated  on  end  in  a  shadow  of  the  cavern,  where,  while  his  rest- 
less body  swung  in  the  uneasy  manner  of  the  animal,  it  re- 
peated, in  a  sort  of  low  growl,  sounds,  if  not  words,  which  bore 
some  slight  resemblance  to  the  melody  of  the  singer. 

The  effect  of  so  strange  an  echo  on  David  may  better  be 
imagined  than  described.  His  eyes  opened  as  if  ^  he  doubted 
their  truth  ;  and  his  voice  became  instantly  mute  in  excess  ol 
wonder.  A  deep-laid  scheme,  of  communicating  some  impor- 
tant intelligence  to  Heyward.  was  driven  from  his  recollection 
by  an  emotion  which  very  nearly  resembled  fear,  but  which  he 
was  fain  to  believe  was  admiration.  Under  its  influence,  he 
exclaimed  aloud — "  She  expects  you  and  is  at  hand ; "  and 
precipitately  left  the  cavern. 


t6o  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

Snug.    Have  you  the  lion's  part  written  ?    Pray  you,  if  it  be,  give  it  me,  for  I  a* 
slow  of  study. 

ince.    You  may  do  it  extempore,  for  it  is  nothing  but  roaring. 

MIDSUMMER  NIGHT'S  DREAM. 

THERE  was  a  strange  blending  of  the  ridiculous  with  that 
which  was  solemn  in  this  scene.  Trie  beast  still  continued 
its  rolling,  and  apparently  untiring  movements,  though  its  lu- 
dicrous attempt  to  imitate  the  melody  of  David  ceased  the 
instant  the  latter  abandoned  the  field.  The  words  of  Gamut 
were,  as  has  been  seen,  in  his  native  tongue ;  and  to  Duncan 
they  seemed  pregnant  with  some  hidden  meaning,  though  noth- 
ing present  assisted  him  in  discovering  the  object  of  their 
allusion.  A  speedy  end  was,  however,  put  to  every  conjecture 
on  the  subject,  by  the  manner  of  the  chief,  who  advanced  to 
the  bedside  of  the  invalid,  and  beckoned  away  the  whole 
group  of  female  attendants  that  had  clustered  there  to  wit- 
ness the  skill  of  the  stranger.  He  was  implicitly,  though  re- 
luctantly, obeyed  ;  and  when  the  low  echo  which  rang  along 
the  hollow,  natural  gallery,  from  the  distant  closing  door,  had 
ceased,  pointing  towards  his  insensible  daughter,  he  said, — 

"  Now  let  my  brother  show  his  power." 

Thus  unequivocally  called  on  to  exercise  the  functions  of 
his  assumed  character,  Heyward  was  apprehensive  that  the 
smallest  delay  might  prove  dangerous.  Endeavoring  then  to 
collect  his  ideas,  he  prepared  to  perform  that  species  of  incan- 
tation, and  those  uncouth  rites  under  which  the  Indian  con- 
jurers are  accustomed  to  conceal  their  ignorance  and  impo* 
tency.  It  is  more  than  probable  that,  in  the  disordered  state 
of  his  thoughts,  he  would  soon  have  fallen  into  some  suspi- 
cious, if  not  fatal  error,  had  not  his  incipient  attempts  been 
interrupted  by  a  fierce  growl  from  the  quadruped.  Three  sev- 
eral times  did  he  renew  his  efforts  to  proceed,  and  as  often 
was  he  met  by  the  same  unaccountable  opposition,  each  in- 
terruption seeming  more  savage  and  threatening  than  the 
preceding. 

"  The  cunning  ones  are  jealous,"  said  the  Huron ;  "  I  go, 


*'2>4  LA±2  31'  TH£.  MOHICAN*.  -_ 

brother,  the  woman  is  the  wife  of  one  ot  my  bravest  young 
men  :  deal  justly  by  her.  Peace  !  "  he  added,  beckoning  to 
the  discontented  beast  to  be  quiet :  "  I  go." 

The  chief  was  as  good  as  his  word,  and  Duncan  now  found 
himself  alone  in  that  wild  and  desolate  abode,  with  the  help- 
less invalid,  and  the  fierce  and  dangerous  brute.  The  latter 
listened  to  the  movements  of  the  Indian  with  that  air  of  saga 
city  that  a  bear  is  known  to  possess  until  another  echo  an- 
nounced that  he  had  also  left  the  cavern,  when  it  turned  and 
oam*.  waddling  up  to  Duncan,  before  whom  it  seated  itself, 
in  its  natural  attitude,  erect  like  a  man.  The  youth  looked 
anxiously  about  him  for  some  weapon  with  which  he  might 
make  a  resistance  against  the  attack  he  now  seriously  ex- 
pected. 

It  seemed,  however,  as  if  the  humor  of  the  animal  had 
suddenly  changed.  Instead  of  continuing  its  discontented 
growls,  or  manifesting  any  further  signs  of  anger,  the  whole 
of  its  shaggy  body  shook  violently,  as  if  agitated  by  some 
strange  internal  convulsion.  The  huge  and  unwieldly  talons 
pawed  stupidly  about  the  grinning  muzzle,  and  while  Heyward 
kept  his  eyes  riveted  on  its  movements  with  jealous  watchful- 
ness, the  grim  head  fell  on  one  side,  and  in  its  place  appeared 
the  honest,  sturdy  countenance  of  the  scout,  who  was  indulg 
ing,  from  the  bottom  of  his  soul,  in  his  own  peculiar  expres- 
sion of  merriment.  "  Hist !  "  said  the  wary  woodsman,  inter- 
rupting Heyward's  exclamation  of  surprise  :  "  the  varlets  are 
about  the  place,  and  any  sounds  that  are  not  natural  to  witch- 
craft would  bring;  them  back  upon  us  in  a  body/' 

"Tell  me  the  meaning  of  this  masquerade,  and  vvfcy  r/or 
have  attempted  so  desperate  an  adventure  ?  " 

**  Ah  !  reason  any  calculation  are  often  o  one  oy  acci- 
dent," returned  the  scout.  "  But  as  a  story  should  always 
commence  at  the  beginning,  I  will  tell  you  the  whole  in  order. 
After  we  parted  I  placed  the  commandant  and  the  Sagamore 
in  an  old  beaver  lodge,  wher~  lliey  are  afer  from  the  Hurons 
than  they  would  be  in  the  garrison  of  Edward  ;  for  your  high 
northv/est  Indians,  not  having  as  yet  got  the  traders  among 
them,  continue  to  venerate  the  beaver.  After  which  Uncas 
and  I  pushed  for  the  other  encampment,  as  was  agreed ;  have 
you  seen  the  lad  ?  " 

"  To  my  great  grief ! — he  is  captive,  and  condemned  to 
die  at  the  rising  of  the  sun." 

a  I  had  misgivings  that  such  would  be  his  fate,"  resumed 
the  scout,  in  a  less  confident  and  joyous  tone.  But,  soon  r* 


262  TffE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

gaining  his  naturally  firm  voice  again,  he  continued, — ••  His 
bad  fortune  is  the  true  reason  of  my  being  here,  for  it  would 
never  do  to  abandon  such  a  boy  to  the  Hurons.  A  rare  time 
the  knaves  would  have  of  it,  could  they  tie  '  The  bounding  Elk' 
and  'The  long  Carabine,'  as  they  call  me,  to  the  same  stake! 
Though  why  they  have  given  me  such  a  name  I  never  knew, 
there  being  as  little  likeness  between  the  gifts  of  '  Kill-deer y 
and  the  performance  of  one  of  your  real  Canada  carabynes,  as 
there  is  between  the  natur'  of  a  pipe-stone  and  a  flint !  " 

"  Keep  to  your  tale,"  said  the  impatient  Heyward ;  "  we 
know  not  at  what  moment  the  Hurons  may  return." 

"  No  fear  of  them.  A  conjurer  must  have  his  time,  like 
a  straggling  priest  in  the  settlements.  We  are  as  safe  from 
interruption  as  a  missionary  would  be  at  the  beginning  of  a 
two  hours'  discourse.  Well,  Uncas  and  I  fell  in  with  a  return 
party  of  the  varlets  ;  the  lad  was  much  too  forward  for  a  scout ; 
nay,  for  that  matter,  being  of  hot  blood,  he  was  not  so  much 
to  blame  ;  and,  after  all,  one  of  the  Hurons  proved  a  coward, 
and  in  fleeing  led  him  into  an  ambushment." 

"  And  dearly  has  he  paid  for  the  weakness  !  " 

The  scout  significantly  passed  his  hand  across  his  own 
throat,  and  nodded,  as  if  he  said,  "  I  comprehend  your  mean- 
ing." After  which  he  continued,  in  a  more  audible  though 
scarcely  more  intelligible  language, — 

"  After  the  loss  of  the  boy  I  turned  upon  the  Hurons,  as 
you  may  judge.  There  have  been  skrimmages  atween  one  or 
two  of  their  outlyers  and  myself ;  but  that  is  neither  here  nor 
there.  So,  after  I  had  shot  the  imps,  I  got  in  pretty  nigh  to 
the  lodges  without  further  commotion.  Then  what  should 
luck  do  in  my  favor,  but  lead  me  to  the  very  spot  where  one 
of  the  most  famous  conjurers  of  the  tribe  was  dressing  him- 
self, as  I  well  knew,  for  some  great  battle  with  Satan — though 
why  should  I  call  that  luck,  which  it  now  seems  was  an  es- 
pecial ordering  from  Providence.  So  a  judgmatical  rap  over 
ihe  head  stiffened  the  lying  impostor  for  a  time,  and  leaving 
him  a  bit  of  walnut  for  his  supper,  to  prevent  an  uproar,  and 
stringing  him  up  atween  two  saplings,  I  made  free  with  his 
finery,  and  took  the  part  of  the  bear  on  myself,  in  order  that 
the  operations  might  proceed." 

"  And  admirably  did  you  enact  the  character  ;  the  animal 
itself  might  have  been  shamed  by  the  representation." 

"  Lord,  major,"  returned  the  flattered  woodsman,  "  I 
should  be  but  a  poor  scholar  for  one  who  has  studied  so  long 
in  the  wilderness,  did  I  not  know  how  to  set  forth  the  move 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  263 

ments  and  natur'  of  such  a  beast.  Had  it  been  now  a  cata- 
mount or  even  a  full-sized  panther,  I  would  have  embellished 
a  performance  for  you  worth  regarding.  nit  it  is  no  such 
marvellous  feat  to  exhibit  the  feats  of  so  dull  a  beast ;  though, 
for  that  matter,  too,  a  bear  may  be  over-acted.  Yes,  yes  ;  if 
is  not  every  imitator  that  knows  natur'  may  be  outdone  easier 
than  she  is  equalled.  But  all  our  work  is  yet  before  us 
Where  is  the  gentle  one  ?  " 

"  Heaven  knows  ;  I  have  examined  every  lodge  in  the  vil 
lage,  without  discovering  the  slightest  trace  of  her  presence 
in  the  tribe." 

"  You  heard  what  the  singer  said,  as  he  left  us, — *  She  is 
at  hand,  and  expects  you.'  ' 

"  I  have  been  compelled  to  believe  he  alluded  to  this  un- 
happy woman." 

"  The  simpleton  was  frightened,  and  blundered  through 
his  message  ;  but  he  had  a  deeper  meaning.  Here  are  walls 
enough  to  separate  the  whole  settlement.  A  bear  ought  to 
climb  ;  therefore  will  I  take  a  look  above  them.  There  may 
be  honey-pots  hid  in  these  rocks,  and  I  am  a  beast,  you  know, 
that  has  a  hankering  for  the  sweets." 

The  scout  looked  behind  him.  laughing  at  his  own  conceit, 
while  he  clambered  up  the  partition,  imitating,  as  he  went, 
the  clumsy  motions  of  the  beast  he  represented ;  but  the 
instant  the  summit  was  gained  he  made  a  gesture  for  silence, 
and  slid  down  with  the  utmost  precipitation. 

"  She  is  here,"  he  whispered,  "  and  by  that  door  you  will 
find  her.  I  would  have  spoken  a  word  of  comfort  to  the  af- 
flicted soul ;  but  the  sight  of  such  a  monster  might  upset  her 
reason.  Though  for  that  matter,  major,  you  are  none  of  the 
most  inviting  yourself  in  your  paint." 

Duncan,  who  had  already  sprung  eagerly  forward,  drew 
instantly  back  on  hearing  these  discouraging  words. 

"  Am  I,  then,  so  very  revolting  ?  "  he  demanded  with  an 
air  of  chagrin. 

"  You  might  not  startle  a  wolf,  or  turn  the  Royal  Ameri 
cans  from  a  charge  ;  but  I  have  seen  the  time  when  you  had 
a  better-favored  look.  Your  streaked  countenances  are  not  ill- 
judged  of  by  the  squaws,  but  young  women  of  white  blood  give 
the  preference  to  their  own  color.  See,"  he  added,  pointing 
to  a  place  where  the  water  trickled  from  a  rock,  forming  a 
little  crystal  spring  before  it  found  an  issue  through  the  ad- 
jacent crevice  ;  "  you  may  easily  get  rid  of  the  Sagamore's 
daub,  and  when  you  come  back  I  will  try  my  hand  at  a  new 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

embellishment.     It's  as  common  for  a  conjurer  to  alter  nil 
paint  as  for  a  buck  in  the  settlements  to  change  his  finery." 

The  deliberate  woodsman  had  little  occasion  to  hunt  foi 
arguments  to  enforce  his  advice.  He  was  yet  speaking  when 
Duncan  availed  himself  of  the  water.  In  a  moment  every 
frightful  or  offensive  mark  was  obliterated,  and  the  youth  ap< 
peared  again  in  the  lineaments  with  which  he  had  been  gifted 
by  nature.  Thus  prepared  for  an  interview  with  his  mistress, 
he  took  a  hasty  leave  of  his  companion,  and  disappeared 
through  the  indicated  passage.  The  scout  witnessed  his  de- 
parture with  complacency,  nodding  his  head  after  him,  and 
muttering  his  good  wishes ;  after  which  he  very  coolly  set 
about  an  examination  of  the  state  of  the  larder,  among  the 
Hurons — the  cavern,  among  other  purposes,  being  used  as 
a  receptacle  for  the  fruits  of  their  hunts. 

Duncan  had  no  other  guide  than  a  distant  glimmering 
light,  which  served,  however,  the  office  of  a  polar  star  to  the 
lover.  By  its  aid  he  was  able  to  enter  the  haven  of  his  hopes, 
which  was  merely  another  apartment  of  the  cavern,  that  had 
been  solely  appropriated  to  the  safe-keeping  of  so  important 
a  prisoner  as  a  daughter  of  the  commandant  of  William 
Henry.  It  was  profusely  strewed  with  the  plunder  of  that 
unlucky  fortress.  In  the  midst  of  this  confusion  he  found 
her  he  sought,  pale,  anxious,  and  terrified,  but  lovely.  David 
had  prepared  her  for  such  a  visit. 

"  Duncan  !  "  she  exclaimed,  in  a  voice  that  seemed  to 
tremble  at  the  sounds  created  by  himself. 

"  Alice  !  "  he  answered,  leaping  carelessly  among  trunks, 
boxes,  arms,  and  furniture,  until  he  stood  at  her  side. 

"  I  knew  that  you  would  never  desert  me,"  she  said,  looking 
up  with  a  momentary  glow  on  her  otherwise  dejected  counte- 
nance. "  But  you  are  alone  !  grateful  as  it  is  to  be  thus  re- 
membered, I  could  wish  to  think  you  are  not  entirely  alone." 

Duncan  observing  that  she  trembled  in  a  manner  which 
betrayed  her  inability  to  stand,  gently  induced  her  to  be 
seated  while  he  recounted  those  leading  incidents  which  it 
has  been  our  task  to  record.  Alice  listened  with  breathless 
interest ;  and  though  the  young  man  touched  lightly  on  the 
sorrows  of  the  stricken  father,  taking  care,  however,  not  to 
Wound  the  self-love  of  his  auditor,  the  tears  ran  as  freely 
down  the  cheeks  of  the  daughter  as  though  she  had  never  wept 
before.  The  soothing  tenderness  of  Duncan,  however,  soon 
quieted  the  first  bur^t  of  her  emotions,  and  she  then  heard 
him  to  the  close  with  undivided  attention,  if  not  with  com- 
posure. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  26± 

"And" now,  Alice,"  he  added,  "you  will  see  how  much  is 
allll  expected  of  you.  By  the  assistance  of  our  experienced 
and  invaluable  friend,  the  scout,  we  may  find  our  way  from 
this  savage  people,  but  you  will  have  to  exert  your  utmost 
fortitude.  Remember  that  you  fly  to  the  arms  of  your  vener- 
able parent,  and  how  much  his  happiness,  as  well  as  your 
own,  depends  on  those  exertions." 

"  Can  I  do  otherwise  for  a  father  who  has  done  so  much 
for  me  ? " 

"  And  for  me  too,"  continued  the  youth,  gently  pressing 
the  hand  he  held  In  both  his  own. 

The  look  01  innocence  ana  surprise  wmcn  he  received  m 
eturn  convinced  Duncan  of  the  necessity  of  being  more  ex- 
plicit;^ 

"  This  is  neither  the  place  nor  the  occasion  to  detain  you 
with  selfish  wishes,"  he  added ;  "  but  what  heart  loaded  like 
mine  would  not  wish  to  cast  its  burden  ?  They  say  misery  is 
the  closest  of  all  ties ;  our  common  suffering  in  your  behalf 
left  but  little  to  be  explained  between  vour  father  and  my- 
self." 

"  And  dearest  Cora,  Duncan ;  surely,  Cora  was  not  for 
gotten?" 

"  Not  forgotten !  no ;  regretted,  as  woman  was  seldom 
mourned  before.  Your  venerable  father  knew  no  difference 
between  his  children  ;  but  I — Alice,  you  will  not  be  offended 
when  I  say,  that  to  me,  her  worth  was  in  a  degree  obscured — " 

"Then  you  knew  not  the  merit  of  my  sister,"  said  Alice, 
Withdrawing  her  hand ;  "  of  you  she  ever  speaks  as  of  one 
who  is  her  dearest  friend." 

c'  I  would  gladly  believe  her  such,"  returned  Duncan, 
.hastily ;  "  I  could  wish  her  to  be  even  more  ;  but  with  you, 
Alice,  I  have  the  permission  of  your  father  to  aspire  to  a  still 
icarer  and  dearer  tie." 

Alice  trembled  violently,  and  there  was  an  instant  during 
>i/hich  she  bent  her  face  aside,  yielding  to  the  emotions  com- 
mon to  her  sex ;  but  they  quickly  passed  away,  leaving  her 
Bistress  of  her  deportment,  if  not  of  her  affections. 

"  Hayward,"  she  said,  looking  him  full  in  the  face  with  * 
xmching  expression  of  innocence  and  dependency,  "  give  me 
.lie  sacred  presence  and  the  holy  sanction  of  that  parent 
lefore  you  urge  me  further." 

"Though  more  I  should  not,  less  I  could  not  say/'  ihe 
h  was  about,  to  answer,  when  he  was  interrupted  by  a 
tap  or?  his  shoulder.  Starting  to  his  feet  he  turned  and 


2  66  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

confronting  the  intruder,  his  looks  fell  on  the  dark  form  and 
malignant  visage  of  Magua.  The  deep,  guttural  laugh  of  the 
savage  sounded,  at  such  a  moment,  to  Duncan  like  the  hellish 
taunt  of  a  demon.  Had  he  pursued  the  sudden  and  fierce  im- 
pulse of  the  instant,  he  would  have  cast  himself  on  the  Huron, 
and  committed  their  fortunes  to  the  issue  of  a  deadly  struggle, 
But,  without  arms  of  any  description,  ignorant  of  what  succoi 
his  subtle  enemy  could  command,  and  charged  with  the  safety 
of  one  who  was'just  then  dearer  than  ever  to  his  heart,  he  no 
sooner  entertained  than  he  abandoned  the  desperate  inten- 
tion. 

"  What  is  your  purpose  ?  "  said  Alice,  meekly  folding  her 
arms  on  her  bosom,  and  struggling  to  conceal  an  agony  oi 
apprehension  in  behalf  of  Heyward,  in  the  usual  cold  and 
distant  manner  with  which  she  received  the  visits  of  her  captor. 

The  exulting  Indian  had  resumed  his  austere  countenance, 
though  he  drew  warily  back  before  the  menacing  glance  of 
the  young  man's  fiery  eye.  He  regarded  both  his  captives 
for  a  moment  with  a  steady  look,  and  then  stepping  aside,  he 
dropped  a  log  of  wood  across  a  door  different  from  that  by 
which  Duncan  had  entered.  The  latter  now  comprehended 
the  manner  of  his  surprise,  and  believing  himself  irretrievably 
lost,  he  drew  Alice  to  his  bosom,  and  stood  prepared  to  meet 
a  fate  which  he  hardly  regretted,  since  it  was  to  be  suffered 
in  such  company.  But  Magua  meditated  no  immediate  vio- 
lence. His  first  measures  were  very  evidently  taken  to  secure 
his  new  captive  ;  nor  did  he  even  bestow  a  second  glance  at 
the  motionless  form  in  the  centre  of  the  cavern,  until  he  had 
completely  cut  off  every  hope  of  retreat  through  the  private 
outlet  he  had  himself  used.  He  was  watched  in  all  his  move- 
ments by  Heyward,  who,  however,  remained  firm,  still  hold- 
ing the  fragile  form  of  Alice  to  the  heart,  at  once  too  proud 
and  too  hopeless  to  ask  favor  of  an  enemy  so  often  foiled. 
When  Magua  had  effected  his  object  he  approached  his  prison- 
ers, and  said  in  English — 

"  The  pale-faces  trap  the  cunning  beavers  ;  but  the  red* 
skins  know  how  to  take  the  Yengeese." 

"  Huron,  do  your  worst !  "  exclaimed  the  excited  Heyward, 
forgetful  that  a  double  stake  was  involved  in  his  life  ;  "  you 
and  your  vengeance  are  alike  despised." 

"  Will  the  white  man  speak  these  words  at  the  stake  ?  " 
asked  Magua,  manifesting  at  the  same  time  how  little  faith 
he  had  in  the  other's  resolution  by  the  sneer  that  accow 
parried  his  words. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  267 

"  Here,  singly  to  your  face,  or  in  the  presence  of  youi 
nation  ? " 

"  Le  Renard  Subtil  is  a  great  chief  !  "  returned  the  Indian  ; 
"  he  will  go  and  bring  his  young  men,  to  see  how  bravely  a 
pale-face  can  laugh  at  the  tortures." 

He  turned  away  while  speaking,  and  was  about  to  leave 
the  place  through"  the  avenue  by  which  Duncan  had  ap- 
proached, when  a  growl  caught  his  ear,  and  caused  him  to 
hesitate.  The  figure  of  the  bear  appeared  in  the  door,  where 
it  sat,  rolling  from  side  to  side  in  its  customary  restlessness. 
Magua,  like  the  father  of  the  sick  woman,  eyed  it  keenly  for  a 
moment,  as  if  to  ascertain  its  character.  He  was  far  above 
the  more  vulgar  superstitions  of  his  tribe,  and  so  soon  as  he 
recognized  the  well-known  attire  of  the  conjurer,  he  prepared 
to  pass  it  in  cool  contempt.  But  a  louder  and  more  threat- 
ening growl  caused  him  again  to  pause.  Then  he  seemed  as 
if  suddenly  resolved  to  trifle  no  longer,  and  moved  resolutely 
forward.  The  mimic  animal,  which  had  advanced  a  little,  re- 
tired slowly  in  his  front,  until  it  arrived  again  at  the  pass, 
when  rearing  on  its  hinder  legs  it  beat  the  air  with  its  paws, 
in  the  manner  practised  by  its  brutal  prototype. 

"Fool!"  exclaimed  the  chief,  in  Huron,  "go  play  with 
the  children  and  squaws  ;  leave  men  to  their  wisdom." 

He  once  more  endeavored  to  pass  the  supposed  empiric, 
scorning  even  the  parade  of  threatening  to  use  the  &nife,  or 
tomahawk,  that  was  pendent  from  his  belt.  Suddenly  the 
beast  extended  its  arms,  or  rather  legs,  and  enclosed  him  in  a 
grasp,  tharmight  have  vied  with  the  far-famed  power  of  the 
bear's  "  hug  "  itself.  Heyward  had  watched  the  whole  pro- 
cedure, on  the  part  of  Hawk-eye,  with  breathless  interest.  At 
first  he  relinquished  his  hold  of  Alice  ;  then  he  caught  up  a 
thong  of  buckskin,  which  had  been  used  around  some  bundle, 
and  when  he  beheld  his  enemy  with  his  two  arms  pinned  to 
his  side  by  the  iron  muscles  of  the  scout,  he  rushed  upon  him, 
and  effectually  secured  them  there.  Arms,  legs,  and  feet  were 
encircled  in  twenty  folds  of  the  thong,  in  less  time  than  we 
have  taken  to  record  the  circumstance.  When  the  formid- 
able Huron  was  completely  pinioned,  the  scout  released  his 
hold,  and  Duncan  laid  his  enemy  on  his  back,  utterly  helpless. 

Throughout  the  whole  of  this  sudden  and  extraordinary 
operation  Magua,  though  he  had  struggled  violently,  until 
assured  he  was  in  the  hands  of  one  whose  nerves  were  far 
better  ^strung  than  his  own,  had  not  uttered  the  slightest  ex- 
clamation. But  when  Hawk-eye,  by  way  of  making  a  sum- 


»68  THh  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

mary  explanation  of  his  conduct,  removed  the  shaggy  jaws  of 
the  beast,  and  exposed  his  own  rugged  and  earnest  counte- 
nance to  the  gaze  of  the  Huron,  the  philosophy  of  the  latter 
was  so  far  mastered  as  to  permit  him  to  utter  the  never* 
failing — 

"  Hugh  !  " 

"  Ay  !  you've  found  your  tongue,"  said  his  undisturbed 
conqueror ;  "  now,  in  order  that  you  shall  not  use  it  to  our 
ruin,  I  must  make  free  to  stop  your  mouth." 

As  there  was  no  time  to  be  lost,  the  scout  immediately  set 
about'  effecting  so  necessary  a  precaution  ;  and  when  he  had 
gagged  the  Indian,  his  enemy  might  safely  have  been  con- 
sidered  as  "  hors  de  combat." 

"  By  what  place  did  the  imp  enter  ?  "  asked  the  industri- 
ous scout,  when  his  work  was  ended.  "  Not  a  soul  has  passed 
my  way  since  you  left  me." 

Duncan  pointed  out  the  door  by  which  Magua  had  come, 
and  which  now  presented  too  many  obstacles  to  a  quick 
retreat. 

"  Bring  on  the  gentle  one  then,"  continued  his  friend ;  "  we 
must  make  a  push  for  the  woods  by  the  other  outlet," 

"  Tis  impossible  !  "  said  Duncan  ,  "  fear  has  overcome  her, 
and  she  is  helpless.  Alice  I  my  sweet,  my  own  Alice,  arouse 
yourself !  now  is  the  moment  to  fly.  Tis'in  vain  !  she  hears, 
but  is  unable  to  follow.  Go,  noble  and  worthy  friend ;  save 
youiseif,  and  leave  me  to  my  fate  ! " 

"  Every  trail   has  its  end,  and  every  calamity  brings  its 
essor    "  returned  the  scout.     "  There,  wrap  her  in  them  In- 
dian  cloths      Conceal  all  of  her  little  form.     Nay,  that  foot 
ha;"  ,o  tellow  in  the  wilderness  ;  it  will  betray  her.    All,  every 
part     Now  take  her   in  your  arms,  and  follow.     Leave  the 

rest  to  me." 

Duncan,  as  may  be  gathered  from  the  words  of  his  com- 
panion, was  eagerly  obeying  ;  and  as  the  other  finished  speak- 
ing, he  took  the  light  person  of  Alice  in  his  arms,  and  fol- 
lowed on  the  footsteps  of  the  scout.  They  found  the  sick 
woman  as  they  had  left  her,  still  alone,  and  passed  swiftly  on, 
by  the  natural  gallery,  to  the  place  of  entrance.  As  they  ap- 
proached the  little  door  of  bark,  a  murmur  of  voices  without 
announced  that  the  friends  and  relatives  of  the  invalid  were 
gathered  about  the  place,  patiently  awaiting  a  summons  to  re- 

n  "If  I  open  my  lips  to  speak,"  Hawk-eye  whispered   "  my 
English,  which  is  the  genuine  tongue  of  a  white-skin,  will  teU 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICAN'S,  269 

the  varlets  that  an  enemy  is  among  them.  You  mustgive  'em 
your  jargon,  major  ;  and  say  that  we  have  shut  the  evil  spirit 
in  the  cave,  and  are  taking  the  woman  to  the  woods  in  order 
to  find  strengthening  roots.  Practyse  all  your  cunning,  for  it 
is  a  lawful  undertaking." 

The  door  opened  a  little,  as  if  one  without  was  listening  to 
the  proceedings  within,  and  compelled  the  scout  to  cease  his 
directions.  A  fierce  growl  repelled  the  eaves-dropper,  and 
then  the  scout  boldly  threw  open  the  covering  of  bark,  and 
left  the  place,  enacting  the  character  of  the  bear  as  he  pro- 
ceeded. Duncan  kept  close  at  his  heels,  and  soon  found  him- 
self in  the  centre  of  a  cluster  of  twenty  anxious  relatives  and 
friends. 

The  crowd  fell  back  a  little,  and  permitted  the  father,  and 
one  who  appeared  to  be  the  husband  of  the  woman  to  ap- 
proach. 

"  Has  my  brother  driven  away  the  evil  spirit  ?  "  demanded 
the  former.  "  What  has  he  in  his  arms  ?  " 

"Thy  child,"  returned  Duncan,  gravely  ;  "  the  disease  'has 
gone  out  of  her ;  it  is  shut  up  in  the  rocks.  I  take  the  woman 
to  a  distance,  where  I  will  strengthen  her  against  any  further 
attacks.  She  shall  be  in  the  wigwam  of  the  young  man  when 
the  sun  comes  again." 

When  the  father  had  translated  the  meaning  of  the 
stranger's  words  into  the  Huron  language,  a  suppressed  mur- 
mur announced  the  satisfaction  with  which  this  intelligence 
was  received.  The  chief  himself  waved  his  hand  for  Duncan 
to  proceed,  saying  aloud,  in  a  firm  voice,  and  with  a  lofty 
manner, — 

"  Go — I  am  a  man,  and  I  will  enter  the  rock  and  fight  the 
wicked  one." 

Heyward  had  gladly  obeyed,  and  was  already  past  the 
little  group,  when  these  startling  words  arrested  him. 

"  Is  my  brother  mad  !  "  he  exclaimed ;  "  is  he  cruel !  He 
will  meet  the  disease,  and  it  will  enter  him  ;  or  he  will  drive 
out  the  disease,  and  it  will  chase  his  daughter  into  the  woods. 
No—let  my  children  wait  without,  and  if  the  spirit  appears 
beat  him  down  with  clubs.  He  is  cunning,  and  will  bury  him- 
self in  the  mountain  when  he  sees  how  many  are  ready  to  fight 
him," 

This  singular  warning  had  the  desired  effect.  Instead  of 
entering  the  cavern  the  father  and  husband  drew  their  toma- 
hawks and  posted  themselves  in  readiness  to  deal  their  ven- 
geance on  the  imaginary  tormentor  of  their  sick  relative,  whil* 
the  women  and  children  broke  branches  from  the  bushes,  or 


2 70  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS'. 

seized  fragments  of  the  rock,  with  a  similar  intention.     Al 
this  favorable  moment  the  counterfeit  conjurers  disappeared 

Hawk-eye,  at  the  same  time  that  he  had  presumed  so  fat 
on  the  nature  of  the  Indian  superstitions,  was  not  ignorant 
that  they  were  rather  tolerated  than  relied  on  by  the  wisest 
of  the  chiefs.  He  well  knew  the  value  of  time  in  the  present 
emergency.  Whatever  might  be  the  extent  of  the  self-delu- 
sions of  his  enemies,  and  however  it  had  tended  to  assist  his 
schemes,  the  slightest  cause  of  suspicion,  acting  on  the  subtle 
nature  of  an  Indian,  would  be  likely  to  prove  fatal.  Taking 
the  path,  therefore,  that  was  most  likely  to  avoid  observation, 
he  rather  skirted  than  entered  the  village.  The  warriors  were 
still  to  be  seen  in  the  distance,  by  the  fading  light  of  the  fires, 
stalking  from  lodge  to  lodge.  But  the  children  had  aban- 
doned their  sports  for  their  beds  of  skin,  and  the  quiet  of 
night  was  already  beginning  to  prevail  over  the  turbulence 
and  excitement  of  so  busy  and  important  an  evening. 

Alice  revived  under  the  renovating  influence  of  the  open 
air,  and  as  her  physical  rather  than  her  mental  powers  had 
been  the  subject  of  weakness,  she  stood  in  no  need  of  any 
explanation  of  that  which  had  occurred. 

"  Now  let  me  make  an  effort  to  walk,"  she  said,  when  they 
had  entered  the  forest,  blushing,  though  unseen,  that  she  had 
not  been  sooner  able  to  quit  the  arms  of  Duncan ;  "  I  am  in- 
deed restored." 

"  Nay,  Alice,  you  are  yet  too  weak." 

The  maiden  struggled  gently  to  release  herself,  and  Hey- 
ward  was  compelled  to  part  with  his  precious  burden.  The 
representative  of  the  bear  had  certainly  been  an  entire  stranger 
to  the  delicious  emotions  of  the  lover  while  his  arms  encircled 
his  mistress ;  and  he  was,  perhaps,  a  stranger  also  to  the 
nature  of  that  feeling  of  ingenuous  shame  that  oppressed  the 
trembling  Alice.  But  when  he  found  himself  at  a  suitable 
distance  from  the  lodges  he  made  a  halt,  and  spoke  on  a  sub- 
ject of  which  he  was  thoroughly  the  master. 

"This  path  will  lead  you  to  the  brook,"  he  said  :  "follow 
its  northern  bank  until  you  come  to  a  fall  ;  mount  the  hill  on 
your  right,  and  you  will  see  the  fires  of  the  other  people. 
There  you  must  go,  and  demand  protection  ;  if  they  are  true 
Delawares,  you  will  be  safe.  A  distant  flight  with  that  gentle 
one,  just  now,  is  ir/ipossible.  The  Hurons  would  follow  up 
our  trail,  and  master  our  scalps  before  we  had  got  a  dozen 
miles.  Go,  and  Providence  be  with  you." 

'*  And  you  ! "  demanded  Heyward,  ii>  surprise  ;  "  surety 
We  part  not  here  ? " 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOfffCAJVS.  ?T 

"The  Hurons  hold  the  pride  of  the  Delawares :  the  last 
of  the  high  blood  of  the  Mohicans  is  in  their  power,"  returned 
their  scout ;  "  I  go  to  see  what  can  be  done  in  his  favor.  Had 
they  mastered  your  scalp,  major,  a  knave  should  have  fallen 
for  every  hair  it  held,  as  I  promised ;  but  if  the  young  Saga- 
more is  to  be  led  to  the  stake,  the  Indians  shall  see,  also,  how 
a  man  without  a  cross  can  die." 

Not  in  the  least  offended  with  the  decided  preference  that 
the  sturdy  woodsman  gave  to  one  who  might,  in  some  degree, 
be  called  the  child  of  his  adoption,  Duncan  still  continued  to 
urge  such  reasons  against  so  desperate  an  effort  a*  presented 
themselves.  He  was  aided  by  Alice,  who  mingled  her  entreat- 
ies with  those  of  Heyward  that  he  would  abandon  a  resolu- 
tion that  promised  so  much  danger,  with  so  little  hope  of 
success.  Their  eloquence  and  ingenuity  were  expended  in 
vain.  The  scout  heard  them  attentively,  but  impatiently, 
and  finally  closed  the  discussion  by  answering,  in  a  tone  that 
instantly  silenced  Alice,  while  it  told  Heyward  how  fruitless 
any  further  remonstrances  would  be. 

«  I  have  heard,'*'  he  said,  "  that  there  is  a  feeling  in  youth 
which  binds  man  to  woman  closer  than  the  father  is  tied  to 
the  son.  It  may  be  so.  I  have  seldom  been  where  women 
of  my  color  dwell ;  but  such  may  be  the  gifts  of  nature  in  the 
settlements.  You  have  risked  life  and  all  that  is  dear  to  you 
to  bring  off  this  gentle  one,  and  I  suppose  that  some  such 
disposition  is  at  the  bottom  of  it  all.  As  for  me,  I  taught 
the  lad  the  real  character  of  a  rifle  ;  and  well  has  he  paid  me 
for  it.  I  have  fou't  at  his  side  in  many  a  bloody  skrimmage  ; 
and  so  long  as  I  could  hear  the  crack  of  his  piece  in  one  ear 
and  that  of  the  Sagamore  in  the  other,  I  knew  no  enemy  was 
on  my  back.  Winters  and  summers,  nights  and  days,  have 
we  roved  the  wilderness  in  company,  eating  of  the  same  dish, 
one  sleeping  while  the  other  watched  ;  and  afore  it  shall  be 
said  that  Uncas  was  taken  to  the  torment,  and  I  at  hand- 
There  is  but  a  single  ruler  of  us  all,  whatever  may  be  the 
color  of  the  skin  ;  and  him  I  call  to  witness — that  before  the 
Mohican  boy  shall  perish  for  the  want  of  a  friend,  good  faith 
shall  depart  the  'arth,  and  '  Kill-deer '  become  as  harmless  as 
the  tooting  we'pon  of  the  singer  ! " 

Duncan  released  his  hold  on  the  arm  of  the  scout,  who 
turned  and  steadily  retraced  his  steps  towards  the  lodges. 
After  passing  a  moment  to  gaze  at  his  retiring  form,  the  suc- 
cessful and  yet  sorrowful  Heyward  and  Alice  took  their  way 
together  towards  the  distant  village  of  the  Delawares. 


OF  THE  MOHICANS 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

Bot.        Let  me  play  the  lion,  too. 

MIDSUMMER  NIGHT'S  DREAM. 

NOTWITHSTANDING  the  high  resolution  of  Hawk-eye,  he  fully 
comprehended  all  the  difficulties  and  dangers  he  was  about 
to  incur.  In  his  return  to  the  camp,  his  acute  and  practised 
intellects  were  intently  engaged  in  devising  means  to  counter- 
act a  watchfulness  and  suspicion  on  the  part  of  his  enemies, 
that  he  knew  were  in  no  degree  inferior  to  his  own.  Nothing 
but  the  color  of  his  skin  had  saved  the  lives  of  Magua  and 
the  conjurer,  who  would  have  been  the  first  victims  sacrificed 
to  his  own  security,  had  not  the  scout  believed  such  an  act, 
however  congenial  it  might  be  to  the  nature  of  an  Indian, 
utterly  unworthy  of  one  who  boasted  a  descent  from  men 
that  knew  no  cross  of  blood.  Accordingly,  he  trusted  to  the 
withes  and  ligaments  with  which  he  had  bound  his  captives, 
and  pursued  his  way  directly  towards  the  centre  of  the 
Jodges. 

As  he  approached  the  buildings,  his  steps  became  more 
deliberate,  and  his  vigilant  eye  suffered  no  sign,  whether 
friendly  or  hostile,  to  escape  him.  A  neglected  hut  was  a 
little  in  advance  of  the  others,  and  appeared  as  if  it  had  been 
deserted  when  half  completed — most  probably  on  account  of 
failing  in  some  of  the  more  important  requisites  ;  such  as 
wood  or  water.  A  faint  light  glimmered  through  its  cracks, 
however,  and  announced  that,  notwithstanding  its  imperfect 
structure,  it  was  not  without  a  tenant.  Thither,  then,  the 
scout  proceeded  like  a  prudent  general,  who  was  about  to  feel 
the  advance  positions  of  his  enemy,  before  he  hazarded  the 
main  attack. 

Thr  wing  himself  into  a  suitable  posture  for  the  beast  he 
represented,  Hawk-eye  crawled  to  a  little  opening,  where  he 
might  command  a  view  of  the  interior.  It  proved  to  be  the 
abiding-place  of  David  Gamut.  Hither  the  faithful  singing- 
master  had  now  brought  himself,  together  with  all  his  sorrows, 
his  apprehensions,  and  his  meek  dependence  en  the  protection 
of  Providence.  At  the  precise  moment  when  his  ungainly 
person  came  under  the  observation  of  the  scout,  in  the  man- 
ner just  mentioned,  the  woodsman  himself,  though  in  his 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  273 

assumed  character,  was,  the  subject  of  the  solitary  being's 
profoundest  reflections. 

However  implicit  the  faith  of  David  was  in  the  performance 
of  ancient  miracles,  he  eschewed  the  belief  of  any  direct 
supernatural  agency  in  the  management  of  modern  morality. 
In  other  words,  while  he  had  implicit  faith  in  the  ability  of 
Balaam's  ass  to  speak,  he  was  somewhat  skeptical  on  the 
subject  of  a  bear's  singing ;  and  yet  he  had  been  assured  of 
the  latter,  on  the  testimony  of  his  own  exquisite  organs. 
There  was  something  in  his  air  and  manner  that  betrayed  to 
the  scout  the  utter  confusion  of  the  state  of  his  mind.  He 
was  seated  on  a  pile  of  brush,  a  few  twigs  from  which  occasion- 
ally fed  his  low  fire,  with  his  head  leaning  on  his  arm,  in  a 
posture  of  melancholy  musing.  The  costume  of  the  votary  of 
music  had  undergone  no  other  alteration  from  that  so  lately 
described,  except  that  he  had  covered  his  bald  head  with  the 
triangular  beaver,  which  had  not  proved  sufficiently  alluring 
to  excite  the  cupidity  of  any  of  his  captors. 

The  ingenious  Hawk-eye,  who  recalled  the  hasty  manner 
in  which  the  other  had  abandoned  his  post  at  the  bedside  of 
the  sick  woman,  was  not  without  his  suspicions  concerning 
the  subject  of  so  much  solemn  deliberation.  First  making  the 
circuit  of  the  hut,  and  ascertaining  that  it  stood  quite  alone, 
and  that  the  character  of  its  inmate  was  likely  to  protect  it 
from  visitors,  he  ventured  through  its  low  door,  into  the  very 
presence  of  Gamut.  The  position  of  the  latter  brought  the 
fire  between  them  ;  and  when  Hawk-eye  had  seated  himself 
on  end,  near  a  minute  elapsed,  during  which  the  two  re- 
mained regarding  each  other  without  speaking.  The  sudden- 
ness and  the  nature  of  the  surprise  had  nearly  proved  too 
much  for — we  will  not  say  the  philosophy — but  for  the  faith 
and  resolution  of  David.  He  fumbled  for  his  pitch-pipe,  and 
arose  with  a  confused  intention  of  attempting  a  musical  ex* 
orcism. 

"  Dark  and  mysterious  monster  ! "  he  exclaimed,  while 
with  trembling  hands  he  disposed  of  his  auxiliary  eyes,  and 
sought  his  never-failing  resource  in  trouble,  the  gifted  version 
of  the  Psalms  ;  "  I  know  not  your  nature  nor  intents  ;  but  if 
aught  you  meditate  against  the  person  and  rights  of  one  of 
the  humblest  servants  of  the  temple,  listen  to  the  inspired 
language  of  the  youth  of  Israel,  and  repent." 

The  bear  shook  his  shaggy  sides,  and  then  a  well-known 
voice  replied, — 

"  Put  up  the  tooting  we'pon,  and  teach  your  throat  modesty. 


4 y 4  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

.Five  words  of  plain  and  comprehendible  English  are  worth, 
just  now,  an  hour  of  squalling." 

"  What  art  thou  ?  "  demanded  David,  utterly  disqualified 
to  pursue  his  original  intention,  and  nearly  gasping  for 
breath. 

"  A  man  like  yourself ;  and  one  whose  blood  is  as  little 
tainted  by  the  cross  of  a  bear,  or  an  Indian,  as  your  own. 
Have  you  so  soon  forgotten  from  whom  you  received  the 
foolish  instrument  you  hold  in  your  hand  ? " 

"  Can  these  things  be  ?  "  returned  David,  breathing  more 
freely,  as  the  truth  began  to  dawn  upon  him.  "  I  have  found 
many  marvels  during  my  sojourn  with  the  heathen,  but  surely 
nothing  to  excel  this!" 

"  Come,  come,"  returned  Hawk-eye,  uncasing  his  honest 
countenance,  the  better  to  assure  the  wavering  confidence  of 
his  companion  \  "  you  may  see  a  skin,  which,  if  it  be  not  as 
white  as  one  of  the  gentle  ones,  has  no  tinge  of  red  to  it  that 
the  winds  of  the  heaven  and  the  sun  have  not  bestowed.  Now 
let  us  to  business." 

"  First,  tell  me  of  the  maiden,  and  of  the  youth  who  so 
bravely  sought  her,"  interrupted  David. 

"  Ay,  they  are  happily  freed  from  the  tomahawks  of  these 
varlets.  But  can  you  put  me  on  the  scent  of  Uncas  ? " 

"  The  young  man  is  in  bondage,  and  much  I  fear  his  death 
is  decreed.  I  greatly  mourn  that  one  so  well-disposed  should 
die  in  his  ignorance,  and  I  have  sought  a  goodly  hymn — " 

"  Can  you  lead  me  to  him  ?  " 

"  The  task  will  not  be  difficult,"  returned  David,  hesita- 
ting ;  "  though  I  greatly  fear  your  presence  would  rather  in- 
crease than  mitigate  his  unhappy  fortunes." 

"  No  more  words,  but  lead  on,"  returned  Hawk-eye,  con- 
cealing his  face  again,  and  setting  the  example  in  his  own 
person  by  instantly  quitting  the  lodge. 

As  they  proceeded,  the  scout  ascertained  that  his  com- 
panion found  access  to  Uncas,  under  privilege  of  his  imagin- 
ary infirmity,  aided  by  the  favor  he  had  acquired  with  one  of 
the  guards  who,  in  consequence  of  speaking  a  little  English, 
had  been  selected  by  David  as  the  subject  of  a  religious  con- 
version. How  far  the  Huron  comprehended  the  intentions 
of  his  new  friend,  may  well  be  doubted  ;  but  as  exclusive 
attention  is  as  flattering  to  a  savage  as  to  a  more  civilized 
individual,  it  had  produced  the  effect  we  have  mentioned.  It 
is  unnecessary  to  repeat  the  shrewd  manner  with  which  the 
scout  extracted  these  particulars  from  the  simple  David; 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  275 

neither  shall  we  dwell,  in  this  place,  on  the  nature  of  the  in- 
structions he  delivered,  when  completely  master  of  all  the 
necessary  facts ;  as  the  whole  will  be  sufficiently  explained  to 
the  reader  in  the  course  of  the  narrative. 

The  lodge  in  which  Uncas  was  confined  was  in  the  very 
centre  of  the  village,  and  in  a  situation,  perhaps,  more  diffi- 
cult than  any  other  to  approach,  or  leave,  without  observation. 
But  it  was  not  the  policy  of  Hawk-eye  to  affect  the  least  con- 
cealment. Presuming  on  his  disguise,  and  his  ability  to 
sustain  the  character  he  had  assumed,  he  took  the  most  plain 
and  direct  route  to  the  place..  The  hour,  however,  afforded 
him  some  little  of  that  protection  which  he  appeared  so  much 
to  despise.  The  boys  were  already  buried  in  sleep,  and  all 
the  women  and  most  of  the  warriors  had  retired  to  the  lodges 
for  the  night.  Four  or  five  of  the  latter  only  lingered  about 
the  door  of  the  prison  of  Uncas,  wary  but  close  observers  of 
the  manner  of  their  captive. 

At  the  sight  of  Gamut,  accompanied  by  one  in  the  well 
known  masquerade  of  their  most  distinguished  conjurer,  they 
readily  made  way  for  them  both.  Still  they  betrayed  no  in- 
tention to  depart.  On  the  other  hand,  they  were  evidently 
disposed  to  remain  bound  to  the  place  by  an  additional  inter- 
est in  the  mysterious  mummeries  that  they  of  course  expected 
from  such  a  visit 

From  the  total  inability  of  the  scout  to  address  the  Hurons 
in  their  own  language,  he  was  compelled  to  trust  the  con- 
versation entirely  to  David.  Notwithstanding  the  simplicity 
of  the  latter,  he  did  ample  justice  to  the  instructions  he  had 
received,  more  than  fulfilling  the  strongest  hopes  of  his 
teacher. 

"The  Delawares  are  women  !  "  he  exclaimed,  addressing 
himself  to  the  savage  who  had  a  slight  understanding  of  the 
language  in  which  he  spoke ;  "  the  Yengeese,  my  foolish 
countrymen,  have  told  them  to  take  up  the  tomahawk,  and 
strike  their  fathers  in  the  Canadas,  and  they  have  forgotten 
their  sex.  Does  my  brother  wish  to  hear  *  Le  Cerf  agile '  ask 
for  his  petticoats,  and  see  him  weep  before  the  Hurons  at  the 
stake  ?  " 

The  exclamation  "  hugh  ! "  delivered  in  a  strong  tone  of 
assent,  announced  the  gratification  the  savage  would  receive 
in  witnessing  such  an  exhibition  of  weakness  in  an  enemy  so 
long  hated  and  so  much  feared. 

"  Then  let  him  step  aside,  and  the  cunning  man  will  blew 
upon  the  dog  J  Tell  it  to  my  brothers." 


476  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

The  Huron  explained  the  meaning  of  David  to  his  fellows, 
who,  in  their  turn,  listened  to  the  project  with  that  sort  oi 
satisfaction  that  their  untamed  spirits  might  be  expected  to 
find  in  such  a  refinement  in  cruelty.  They  drew  back  a 
Kttle  from  the  entrance,  and  motioned  to  the  supposed  con- 
jurer to  enter.  But  the  bear,  instead  of  obeying,  maintained 
the  seat  it  had  taken,  and  growled. 

"  The  cunning  man  is  afraid  that  his  breath  will  blow  upon 
his  brothers,  and  take  away  their  courage  too,"  continued 
David,  improving  the  hint  he  had  received  ;  "  they  must  stand 
further  off." 

The  Hurons,  who  would  have  deemed  such  a  misfortune 
the  heaviest  calamity  that  could  befall  them,  fell  back  in  a 
body,  taking  a  position  where  they  were  out  of  earshot,  though 
at  the  same  time  they  could  command  a  view  of  the  entrance 
of  the  lodge.  Then,  as  if  satisfied  of  their  safety,  the  scout 
left  his  position,  and  slowly  entered  the  place.  It  was  silent 
and  gloomy,  being  tenanted  solely  by  the  captive,  and  lighted 
by  the  dying  embers  of  a  fire,  which  had  been  used  for  the 
purposes  of  cookery. 

Uncas  occupied  a  distant  corner,  in  a  reclining  attitude, 
being  rigidly  bound,  both  hands  and  feet,  by  strong  and  pain- 
ful withes.  When  the  frightful  object  first  presented  itself  to 
the  young  Mohican,  he  did  not  deign  to  bestow  a  single  glance 
on  the  animal.  The  scout,  who  had  left  David  at  the  door, 
to  ascertain  they  were  not  observed,  thought  it  prudent  to 
preserve  his  disguise  until  assured  of  their  privacy.  Instead 
of  speaking,  therefore,  he  exerted  himself  to  enact  one  of  the 
antics  of  the  animal  he  represented.  The  young  Mohican, 
who  at  first  believed  his  enemies  had  sent  in  a  real  beast  to 
torment  him,  and  try  his  nerves,  detected,  in  those  perform- 
ances that  to  Heyward  had  appeared  so  accurate,  certain 
blemishes,  that  at  once  betrayed  the  counterfeit.  Had  Hawk- 
eye  been  aware  of  the  low  estimation  in  which  the  more  skil- 
ful Uncas  held  his  representations,  he  would  probably  have 
prolonged  the  entertainment  a  little  in  pique.  But  the  scorn* 
ful  expression  of  the  young  man's  eye  admitted  of  so  many 
constructions,  that  the  worthy  scout  was  spared  the  mortifi- 
cation of  such  a  discovery.  As  soon,  therefore,  as  David 
gave  the  preconcerted  signal,  a  low  hissing  sound  was  heard 
in  the  lodge,  in  place  of  the  fierce  growlings  of  the  bear. 

Uncas  had  cast  his  body  back  against  the  wall  of  the  hut, 
and  closed  his  eyes,  as  if  willing  to  exclude  so  contemptible 
and  disagreeable  an  object  from  his  sight.  But  the  momenj 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  277 

the  noise  of  the  serpent  was  heard,  he  arose,  and  cast  his 
looks  on  each  side  of  him,  bending  his  head  low,  and  turning 
it  inquiringly  in  every  direction,  until  his  keen  eye  rested  on 
the  shaggy  monster  where  it  remained  riveted,  as  though  fixed 
by  the  power  of  a  charm.  Again  the  same  sounds  were  repeated, 
evidently  proceeding  from  the  mouth  of  the  beast.  Once 
more  the  eyes  of  the  youth  roamed  over  the  interior  of  the 
lodge,  and  returning  to  their  former  resting-place,  he  uttered, 
in  a  deep,  suppressed  voice, — 

"  Hawk-eye !  " 

"  Cut  his  bands,"  said  Hawk-eye  to  David,  who  just  then 
approached  them. 

The  singer  did  as  he  was  ordered,  and  Uncas  found  his 
limbs  released.  At  the  same  moment  the  dried  skin  of  the 
animal  rattled,  and  presently  the  scout  arose  to  his  feet,  in 
proper  person.  The  Mohican  appeared  to  comprehend  the 
nature  of  the  attempt  his  friend  had  made,  intuitively  ;  neither 
tongue  nor  feature  betraying  another  symptom  of  surprise. 
When  Hawk-eye  had  cast  his  shaggy  vestment,  which  was 
done  by  simply  loosing  certain  thongs  of  skin,  he  drew  a  long 
glittering  knife,  and  put  it  in  the  hands  of  Uncas. 

"  The  red  Hurons  are  without,"  he  said  ;  "  let  us  be 
ready  " 

At  the  same  time  he  laid  his  ringer  significantly  on  another 
similar  weapon,  both  being  the  fruits  of  his  prowess  among 
their  enemies  during  the  evening. 

"  We  will  go,"  said  Uncas. 

"  Whither  ? " 

"  To  the  tortoises  ;  they  are  the  children  of  my  grand- 
fathers." 

"  Ay,  lad,"  said  the  scout  in  English — a  language  he  was 
Apt  to  use  when  a  little  abstracted  in  mind  ;  ' l  the  same  blood 
runs  in  your  veins,  I  believe ;  but  time  and  distance  has  a 
little  changed  its  color.  What  shall  we  do  with  the  Mingoes 
at  the  door  ?  They  count  six,  and  this  singer  is  as  good  as 
nothing." 

"  The  Hurons  are  boasters,"  said  Uncas  scornfully ; 
"  their  '  totem  '  is  a  moose,  and  they  run  like  snails.  The 
Delawares  are  children  of  the  tortoise,  and  they  outstrip  the 
deer." 

"  Ay,  lad,  there  is  truth  in  what  you  say  ;  and  I  doubt  not, 
on  a  rush,  you  would  pass  the  whole  nation ;  and  in  a  straight 
race  of  two  miles,  would  be  in,  and  get  your  breath  again, 
afore  a  knave  of  them  all  was  within  hearing  of  the  other 


*7g  Tff-E  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

village.  But  the  gift  of  a  white  man  lies  more  in  his  armi 
than  in  his  legs.  As  for  myself,  I  can  brain  a  Huron  as  well 
as  a  better  man  ;  but  .when  it  comes  to  a  race,  the  knaves 
would  prove  too  much  for  me." 

Uncas,  who  had  already  approached  the  door,  in  readiness 
to  lead  the  way,  now  recoiled  and  placed  himself,  once  more3 
in  the  bottom  of  the  lodge.  But  Hawk-eye,  who  was  too 
much  occupied  with  his  own  thoughts  to  note  the  movement, 
continued  speaking  more  to  himself  than  to  his  companion. 

"  After  all,"  he  said,  "  it  is  unreasonable  to  keep  one  man 
in  bondage  to  the  gifts  of  another.  So,  Uncas,  you  had 
better  take  the  leap,  while  I  put  on  the  skin  again,  and  trust 
to  cunning  for  want  of  speed." 

The  young  Mohican  made  no  reply,  but  quietly  folded  his 
arms,  and  leaned  his  body  against  one  of  the  upright  posts 
that  supported  the  wall  of  the  hut. 

"Well,"  said  the  scout,  looking  up  at  him,  "why  do  you 
tarry  ?  There  will  be  time  enough  for  me,  as  the  knaves  will 
give  chase  to  you  at  first." 

"Uncas  will  stay,"  was  the  calm  reply. 

"  For  what  ?  " 

"  To  fight  with  his  father's  brother,  and  die  with  the  friend 
of  the  Delawares." 

"Ay,  lad,"  returned  Hawk-eye,  squeezing  the  hand  of 
Uncas  between  his  own  iron  fingers ;  "  'twould  have  been 
more  like  a  Mingo  than  a  Mohican  had  you  left  me.  But  I 
thought  I  would  make  the  offer,  seeing  that  youth  commonly 
loves  life.  Well,  what  can't  be  done  by  main  courage  in  war, 
must  be  done  by  circumvention.  Put  on  the  skin  ;  I  doubt 
not  you  can  play  the  bear  nearly  as  well  as  myself." 

Whatever  might  have  been  the  private  opinion  of  Uncas 
of  their  respective  abilities  in  this  particular,  his  grave  counte- 
nance manifested  no  opinion  of  his  own  superiority.  He 
silently  and  expeditiously  encased  himself  in  the  covering  of 
the  beast,  and  then  awaited  such  other  movements  as  his  more 
aged  companion  saw  fit  to  dictate. 

"  Now,  friend,"  said  Hawk-eye,  addressing  David,  "an 
exchange  of  garments  will  be  a  great  convenience  to  you, 
inasmuch  as  you  are  but  little  accustomed  to  the  make-shifts  of 
the  wilderness.  Here,  take  my  hunting  shirt  and  cap,  and 
give  me  your  blanket  and  hat.  You  must  trust  me  with  the 
book  and  spectacles,  as  well  as  the  tooter,  too  ;  if  we  evet 
meet  again,  in  better  times,  you  shall  have  all  back  again, 
with  many  thanks  into  the  bargain." 


LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


279 


David  parted  with  the  several  articles  named  with  a  readi- 
ness that  would  have  clone  great  credit  to  his  liberality,  had 
he  not  certainly  profited,  in  many  particulars,  by  the  exchange. 
Hawk-eye  was  not  long  in  assuming  his  borrowed  garments  ; 
and  when  his  restless  eyes  were  hid  behind  the  glasses,  and 
his  head  was  surmounted  by  the  triangular  beaver,  as  their 
statures  were  not  dissimilar,  he  might  readily  have  passed  for 
the  singer  by  star-light.  As  soon  as  these  dispositions  were 
made,  the  scout  turned  to  David,  and  gave  him  his  parting 
instructions. 

"  Are  you  much  given  to  cowardice  ?  "  he  bluntly  asked, 
by  way  of  obtaining  a  suitable  understanding  of  the  whole 
case  before  he  ventured  a  prescription. 

'  '  My  pursuits  are  peaceful,  and  my  temper,  I  humbly 
trust,  is  greatly  given  to  mercy  and  love, '  returned  David,  a 
little  nettled  at  so  direct  an  attack  on  his  manhood ;  "  but 
there  are  none  who  can  say  that  I  have  ever  forgotten  my  faith 
in  the  Lord,  even  in  the  greatest  straits." 

"  Your  chiefest  danger  will  be  at  the  moment  when  the 
savages  find  out  that  they  have  been  deceived.  If  you  are 
not  then  knocked  in  the  head,  your  being  a  non-composser 
will  protect  you  ;  and  you'll  then  have  good  reason  to  expecl 
to  die  in  your  bed.  If  you  stay,  it  must  be  to  sit  down  here 
.n  the  shadow,  and  take  the  part  of  Uncas,  until  such  times  as 
-he  cunning  of  the  Indians  discover  the  cheat,  when,  as  I  have 
already  said,  your  time  of  trial  will  come.  So  choose  for  your- 
self,— to  make  a  rush  or  tarry  here." 

"  Even  so,"  said  David,  firmly  ;  "  I  will  abide  in  the  place 
of  the  Delaware.  Bravely  and  generously  has  he  battled  in 
my  behalf  ;  and  this,  and  more,  will  I  dare  in  his  service." 

"  You  have  spoken  as  a  man,  and  like  one  who,  under 
wiser  schooling,  would  have  been  brought  to  better  things. 
Hold  your  head  down,  and  draw  in  your  legs  ;  their  formation 
might  tell  the  truth  too  early.  Keep  silent  as  long  as  may 
be  ;  and  it  would  be  wise  when  you  do  speak,  to  break  out  sud- 
denly in  one  of  your  shoutings,  which  will  serve  to  remind  the 
Indians  that  you  are  not  altogether  as  responsible  as  men 
should  be.  If,  however,  they  take  your  scalp,  as  I  trust  and 
believe  they  will  not,  depend  on  it,  Uncas  and  I  will  not  forget 
the  deed,  but  revenge  it  as  becomes  true  warriors  and  trusty 
friends." 

"  Hold  !  "  said  David,  perceiving  that  with  this  assurance 
they  were  about  to  leave  him  ;  "  I  am  an  unworthy  and  hum* 
ble  follower  of  one  who  taught  not  the  damnable  principle  of 


2So  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

revenge.  Should  I  fall,  therefore,  seek  no  victims  to  my 
manes,  but  rather  forgive  my  destroyers  ;  and  if  you  remembei 
them  at  all,  let  it  be  in  prayers  for  the  enlightening  of  theii 
minds  and  for  their  eternal  welfare." 

The  scout  hesitated,  and  appeared  to  muse. 

"  There  is  a  principle  in  that,"  he  said,  "  different  from  the 
law  of  the  woods  ;  and  yet  it  is  fair  and  noble  to  reflect  upon." 
Then,  heaving  a  heavy  sigh,  probably  among  the  last  he  ever 
drew  in  pining  for  a  condition  he  had  so  long  abandoned,  he 
added, — "  it  is  what  I  would  wish  to  practise  myself,  as  one 
without  a  cross  of  blood,  though  it  is  not  always  easy  to  deal 
with  an  Indian  as  you  would  with  a  fellow-Christian.  God 
bless  you,  friend  ;  I  do  believe  your  scent  is  not  greatly  wrong, 
when  the  matter  is  duly  considered,  and  keeping  eternity  be- 
fore the  eyes,  though  much  depends  on  the  natural  gifts,  and 
the  force  of  temptation." 

So  saying,  the  scout  returned  and  shook  David  cordially 
by  the  hand  ;  after  which  act  of  friendship  he  immediately  left 
the  lodge,  attended  by  the  new  representative  of  the  beast. 

The  instant  Hawk-eye  found  himself  under  the  observation 
of  the  Hurons,  he  drew  up  his  tall  form  in  the  rigid  manner 
of  David,  threw  out  his  arm  in  the  act  of  keeping  time,  and 
commenced  what  he  intended  for  an  imitation  of  his  psalmody. 
Happily  for  the  success  of  this  delicate  adventure,  he  had  to 
deal  with  ears  but  little  practised  in  the  concord  of  sweet 
sounds,  or  the  miserable  effort  would  infallibly  have  been  de- 
tected. It  was  necessary  to  pass  within  a  dangerous  proximity 
of  the  dark  group  of  the  savages,  and  the  voice  of  the  scout 
grew  louder  as  they  drew  nigher.  When  at  the  nearest  point, 
the  Huron  who  spoke  the  English  thrust  out  an  arm,  and 
stopped  the  supposed  singing  master. 

"  The  Delaware  dog ! "  he  said,  leaning  forward,  and 
peering  through  the  dim  light  to  catch  the  expression  of  the 
other's  features ;  "  is  he  afraid  ?  will  the  Hurons  hear  his 
groans  ? " 

A  growl  so  exceedingly  fierce  and  natural  proceeded  from 
the  beast,  that  the  young  Indian  released  his  hold  and  started 
aside,  as  if  to  assure  himself  that  it  was  not  a  veritable  bear, 
and  no  counterfeit,  that  was  rolling  before  him.  Hawk-eye, 
who  feared  his  voice  would  betray  him  to  his  subtle  enemies, 
gladly  profited  by  the  interruption,  to  break  out  anew  in  such 
a  burst  of  musical  expression  as  would  probably,  in  a  more 
refined  state  of  society,  have  been  termed  "  a  grand  crash." 
Among  his  actual  auditors,  however,  it  merely  gave  him  an 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  28^ 

additional  claim  to  that  respect  which  they  never  withhold 
from  such  as  are  believed  to  be  the  subjects  of  mental  aliena- 
tion. The  little  knot  of  Indians  drew  back  in  a  body  and 
suffered,  as  they  thought,  the  conjurer  and  his  inspired  assist- 
ant to  proceed. 

It  required  no  common  exercise  of  fortitude  in  Uncas  and 
the  scout,  to  continue  the  dignified  and  deliberate  pace  they 
had  assumed  in  passing  the  lodges  \  especially  as  they  imme- 
diately perceived  that  curiosity  had  so  far  mastered  fear,  as  to 
induce  the  watchers  to  approach  the  hut,  in  order  to  witness 
the  effect  of  the  incantations.  The  least  injudicious  or  im- 
patient movement  on  the  part  of  David  might  betray  them, 
and  time  was  absolutely  necessary  to  insure  the  safety  of  the 
scout.  The  loud  noise  the  latter  conceived  it  politic  to  con 
tinue,  drew  many  curious  gazers  to  the  doors  of  the  different 
huts  as  they  passed  •  and  once  or  twice  a  dark-looking  warrior 
stepped  across  their  path,  led  to  the  act  by  superstition  or 
watchfulness.  They  were  not,  however,  interrupted ;  the 
darkness  of  the  hour  and  the  boldness  of  the  attempt,  prov- 
ing their  principal  friends. 

The  adventurers  had  got  clear  of  the  village,  and  were  now 
swiftly  approaching  the  shelter  of  the  woods,  when  a  loud  and 
long  cry  arose  from  the  lodge  where  Uncas  had  been  confined. 
The  Mohican  started  on  his  feet,  and  shook  his  shaggy  cover- 
ing,  as  though  the  animal  he  counterfeited  was  about  to  make 
some  desperate  effort. 

"  Hold ! "  said  the  scout,  grasping  his  friend  by  the 
shoulder,  "  let  them  yell  again.  'Twas  nothing  but  wonder- 
ment." 

He  had  no  occasion  to  delay,  for  at  the  next  instant  a 
burst  of  cries  filled  the  outer  air,  and  ran  along  the  whole  ex- 
tent of  the  village.  Uncas  cast  his  skin,  and  stepped  forth  in 
his  own  beautiful  proportions.  Hawk-eye  tapped  him  lightly 
on  the  shoulder,  and  glided  ahead. 

"  Now  let  the  devils  strike  our  scent,"  said  the  scout,  tear- 
ing two  rifles,  with  all  their  attendant  accoutrements,  from 
beneath  a  bush,  and  flourishing  "kill-deer"  as  he  handed 
Uncas  his  weapon  ;  "  two  at  least,  will  find  it  to  their  deaths." 

Then  throwing  their  pieces  to  a  low  trail,  like  sportsmen 
in  readiness  for  their  game,  they  dashed  forward,  and  were 
soon  buried  in  the  sombre  darkness  of  the  forest. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICAN'S 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

Ant.  I  shall  remember : 

When  Caesar  says,  do  (/its,  it  is  performed. 

JULIUS 

THE  impatience  of  the  savages  who  lingered  about  the 
prison  of  Uncas,  as  has  been  seen,  had  overcome  their  dread 
of  the  conjurer's  breath.  They  stole  cautiously,  and  with 
beating  hearts,  to  a  crevice,  through  which  the  faint  light  of 
the  fire  was  glimmering.  For  several  minutes  they  mistook 
the  form  of  David  for  that  of  their  prisoner  ;  but  the  very 
accident  which  Hawk-eye  had  foreseen  occurred.  Tired  of 
keeping  the  extremities  of  his  long  person  so  near  together, 
the  singer  gradually  suffered  the  lower  limbs  to  extend  them- 
selves, until  one  of  his  misshapen  feet  actually  came  in  con- 
tact with  and  shoved  aside  the  embers  of  the  fire.  At  first 
the  Hurons  believed  the  Delaware  had  been  thus  deformed 
by  witchcraft.  But  when  David,  unconscious  of  being  ob- 
served, turned  his  head,  and  exposed  his  simple,  mild  coun- 
tenance, in  place  of  the  haughty  lineaments  of  their  prisoner, 
it  would  have  exceeded  the  credulity  of  even  a  native  to  have 
doubted  any  longer.  They  rushed  together  into  the  lodge, 
and  laying  their  hands,  with  but  little  ceremony,  on  their  cap- 
tive, immediately  detected  the  imposition.  Then  arose  the 
cry  first  heard  by  the  fugitives.  It  was  succeeded  by  the 
most  frantic  arid  angry  demonstrations  of  vengeance.  David, 
however  firm  in  his  determination  to  cover  the  retreat  of  his 
friends,  was  compelled  to  believe  that  his  own  final  hour  had 
come.  Deprived  of  his  book  •  and  his  pipe,  he  was  fain  to 
trust  to  a  memory  that  rarely  failed  him  on  such  subjects  : 
and  breaking  forth  in  a  loud  and  impassioned  strain,  he  en- 
deavored to  smooth  his  passage  into  the  other  world,  by  sing- 
ing the  opening  verse  of  a  funeral  anthem.  The  Indians 
were  seasonably  reminded  of  his  infirmity,  and  rushing  into 
the  open  air,  they  aroused  the  village  in  the  manner  de- 
scribed. 

A  native  warrior  fights  as  he  sleeps,  without  the  protec* 
don  of  anything  defensive.  The  sounds  of  the  alarm  were, 
therefore,  hardly  uttered,  before  two  hundred  men  were  afoot, 
and  ready  for  the  battle  or  the  chase,  as  either  might  be  re' 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  283 

quired.  The  escape  was  soon  known  ;  and  the  whole  tribe 
crowded,  in  a  body,  around  the  council  lodge,  impatiently 
awaiting  the  instruction  of  their  chiefs.  In  such  a  sudden 
demand  on  their  wisdom,  the  presence  of  the  cunning  Magua 
could  scarcely  fail  of  being  needed.  His  name  was  men- 
tioned, and  all  looked  round  in  wonder  that  he  did  not  ap 
pear.  Messengers  were  then  despatched  to  his  lodge,  requir- 
ing his  presence. 

In  the  mean  time,  some  of  the  swiftest  and  most  discreet 
of  the  young  men  were  ordered  to  make  the  circuit  of  the 
clearing,  under  cover  of  the  woods,  in  order  to  ascertain  that 
their  suspected  neighbors,  the  Delawares,  designed  no  mis- 
chief. Women  and  children  ran  to  and  fro ;  and,  in  short, 
the  whole  encampment  exhibited  another  scene  of  wild  and 
savage  confusion.  Gradually,  however,  these  symptoms  of 
disorder  diminished  ;  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  oldest  and 
most  distinguished  chiefs  were  assembled  in  the  lodge,  in 
grave  consultation. 

The  clamor  of  many  voices  soon  announced  that  a  party 
approached,  who  might  be  expected  to  communicate  some 
intelligence  that  would  explain  the  mystery  of  the  novel  sur- 
prise. The  crowd  without  gave  way,  and  several  warriors 
entered  the  place,  bringing  with  them  the  hapless  conjurer, 
who  had  been  left  so  long  by  the  scout  in  duress. 

Notwithstanding  this  man  was  held  in  very  unequal  esti- 
mation among  the  Hurons,  some  believing  implicitly  in  his 
power,  and  others  deeming  him  an  impostor,  he  was  now 
listened  to  by  all  with  the  deepest  attention.  When  his  brief 
story  was  ended,  the  father  of  the  sick  woman  stepped  forth, 
and,  in  a  few  pithy  expressions,  related,  in  his  turn,  what  he 
knew.  These  two  narratives  gave  a  proper  direction  to  the 
subsequent  inquiries,  which  were  now  made  with  the  charac- 
teristic cunning  of  savages. 

Instead  of  rushing  in  a  confused  and  disorderly  throng  to 
the  cavern,  ten  of  the  wisest  and  firmest  among  the  chiefs 
were  selected  to  prosecute  the  investigation.  As  no  time  was 
to  be  lost,  the  instant  the  choice  was  made  the  individuals 
appointed  arose  in  a  body,  and  left  the  place  without  speak- 
ing. On  reaching  the  entrance,  the  younger  men  in  advance 
made  way  for  their  seniors  ;  and  the  whole  proceeded  along 
the  low,  dark  gallery,  with  the  firmness  of  warriors  ready  to 
devote  themselves  to  the  public  good,  though,  at  the  same 
time,  secretly  doubting  the  nature  of  the  power  with  which 
they  were  about  to  contend. 


484  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

The  outer  apartment  of  the  cavern  was  silent  ana  gloomy. 
The  woman  lay  in  her  usual  place  and  posture,  though  there 
were  those  present  who  affirmed  that  they  had  seen  her  borne 
to  the  woods,  by  the  supposed  "  medicine  of  the  white  man." 
Such  a  direct  and  palpable  contradiction  of  the  tale  related 
by  the  father,  caused  all  eyes  to  be  turned  on  him.  Chafed 
by  the  silent  imputation,  and  inwardly  troubled  by  so  unac- 
countable a  circumstance,  the  chief  advanced  to  the  side  of  the 
bed,  and  stooping,  cast  an  incredulous  look  at  the  features, 
as  if  distrusting  their  reality.  His  daughter  was  dead. 

The  unerring  feeling  of  nature  for  a  moment  prevailed, 
and  the  old  warrior  hid  his  eyes  in  sorrow.  Then  recovering 
his  self-possession,  he  faced  his  companions,  and  pointing 
towards  the  corpse,  he  said,  in  the  language  of  his  people, — 

"  The  wife  of  my  young  man  has  left  us  !  the  Great  Spirit 
is  angry  with  his  children." 

The  mournful  intelligence  was  received  in  solemn  silence. 
After  a  short  pause,  one  of  the  elder  Indians  was  about  to 
speak,  when  a  dark-looking  object  was  seen  rolling  out  of  an 
adjoining  apartment,  into  the  very  centre  of  the  room  where 
they  stood.  Ignorant  of  the  nature  of  the  beings  they  had  to 
deal  with,  the  whole  pa.Cy  drew  back  a  little,  and  gazed  in 
admiration,  until  the  object  fronted  the  light,  and  rising  on 
end,  exhibited  the  distorted,  but  still  fierce  and  sullen,  feat- 
ures of  Magua.  The  discovery  was  succeeded  by  a  general 
exclamation  of  amusement. 

As  soon,  however,  as  the  true  situation  of  the  chief  was 
understood,  several  ready  knives  appeared,  and  his  limbs  and 
tongue  were  quickly  released.  The  Huron  arose,  and  shook 
himself  like  a  lion  quitting  his  lair.  Not  a  word  escaped  him, 
though  his  hand  played  convulsively  with  the  handle  of  his 
knife,  while  his  lowering  eyes  scanned  the  whole  party,  as  if 
they  sought  an  object  suited  to  the  first  burst  of  his  vengeance. 

It  was  happy  for  Uncas  and  the  scout,  and  even  David, 
that  they  were  all  beyond  the  reach  of  his  arm  at  such  a  mo 
ment ;  for,  assuredly,  no  refinement  in  cruelty  would  then 
have  deferred  their  death,  in  opposition  to  the  promptings  oi 
the  fierce  temper  that  nearly  choked  him.  Meeting  every- 
where faces  that  he  knew  as  friends,  the  savage  grated  his 
teeth  together  like  rasps  of  iron,  and  swallowed  his  passion 
for  want  of  a  victim  on  whom  to  vent  it.  This  exhibition  of 
anger  was  noted  by  all  present  •  and,  from  an  apprehension 
of  exasperating  a  temper  that  was  already  chafed  nearly  to 
madness,  several  minutes  were  suffered  to  pass  before  anothe/ 


,       THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  385 

word  was  uttered.     When,  however,  suitable  time  had  elapsed, 
the  oldest  of  the  party  spoke. 

"  My  friend  has  found  an  enemy,"  he  said.  "  Is  he  nigh, 
that  the  Hurons  may  take  revenge  ? " 

*'  Let  the  Delaware  die  !  "  exclaimed  Magua,  in  a  voice  of 
thunder. 

Another  long  and  expressive  silence  was  observed,  and 
was  broken,  as  before,  with  due  precaution,  by  the  same  in- 
dividual. 

"  The  Mohican  is  swift  of  foot,  and  leaps  far,"  he  said ; 
"  but  my  young  men  are  on  his  trail." 

"  Is  he  gone  ? "  demanded  Magua  in  tones  so  deep  and 
guttural,  that  they  seemed  to  proceed  from  his  inmost  chest. 

"  An  evil  spirit  has  been  among  us,  and  the  Delaware  has 
blinded  our  eyes." 

"  An  evil  spirit !  "  repeated  the  other  mockingly ;  "  'tis  the 
spirit  that  has  taken  the  lives  of  so  many  Hurons.  The  spirit 
that  slew  my  young  men  at  '  the  tumbling  river ; '  that  took 
their  scalps  at  the  *  healing  spring  ; '  and  who  has,  now,  bound 
the  arms  of  Le  Renard  Subtil  ! " 

"  Of  whom  does  my  friend  speak  ?  " 

"  Of  the  dog  who  carries  the  heart  and  cunning  of  a  Huron 
under  a  pale  skin — La  longue  Carabine." 

The  pronunciation  of  so  terrible  a  name  produced  the 
usual  effect  among  his  auditors.  But  when  time  was  given  foi 
reflection,  and  the  warriors  remembered  that  their  formidable 
and  daring  enemy  had  even  been  in  the  bosom  of  their  en- 
campment, working  injury,  fearful  rage  took  the  place  of 
wonder,  and  all  those  fierce  passions  with  which  the  bosom  of 
Magua  had  just  been  struggling  were  suddenly  transferred  to 
his  companions.  Some  among  them  gnashed  their  teeth  in 
anger,  others  vented  their  feelings  in  yells,  and  some,  again, 
beat  the  air  as  frantically  as  if  the  object  of  their  resentment 
were  suffering  under  their  blows.  But  this  sudden  outbreak- 
ing of  temper  as  quickly  subsided  in  the  still  and  sullen 
restraint  they  most  affected,  in  their  moments, of  inaction. 

Magua,  who  had,  in  his  turn,  found  leisure  for  reflection, 
now  changed  his  manner,  and  assumed  the  air  of  one  who 
knew  how  to  think  and  act  with  a  dignity  worthy  of  so  grave 
a  subject. 

"  Let  us  go  to  my  people,"  he  said  ;  "  they  wait  for  us." 

His  companions  consented  in  silence,  and  the  whole  of  the 
savage  party  left  the  cavern  and  returned  to  the  council 
lodge.  When  they  were  seated,  all  eyes  turned  on  Magua, 


j86  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

who  understood,  from  such  an  indication,  that,  by  common 
consent,  they  had  devolved  the  duty  of  relating  what  had 
passed  on  him.  He  arose,  and  told  his  tale,  without  duplicity 
or  reservation.  The  whole  deception  practised  by  both  Dun- 
can and  Hawk-eye  was,  of  course,  laid  naked  ;  and  no  room 
was  found,  even  for  the  most  superstitious  of  the  tribe,  any 
longer  to  affix  a  doubt  on  the  character  of  the  occurrences.  It 
was  but  too  apparent  that  they  had  been  insultingly,  shame- 
fully, disgracefully,  deceived.  When  he  had  ended,  and  re- 
sumed his  seat,  the  collected  tribe — for  his  auditors,  in  sub- 
stance, included  all  the  fighting  men  of  the  party — sat  regard- 
ing each  other  like  men  astonished  equally  at  the  audacity 
and  the  success  of  their  enemies.  The  next  consideration, 
however,  was  the  means  and  opportunities  for  revenge. 

Additional  pursuers  were  sent  on  the  trail  of  the  fugi- 
tives ;  and  then  the  chiefs  applied  themselves,  in  earnest,  to 
the  business  of  consultation.  Many  different  expedients 
were  proposed  by  the  elder  warriors,  in  succession,  to  all  of 
which  Magua  was  a  silent  and  respectful  listener.  That  subtle 
savage  had  recovered  his  artifice  and  self-command,  and  now 
proceeded  towards  his  object  with  his  customary  caution  and 
skill.  It  was  only  when  each  one  disposed  to  speak  had  ut- 
tered his  sentiments,  that  he  prepared  to  advance  his  own 
opinions.  They  were  given  with  additional  weight  from  the 
circumstance,  that  some  of  the  runners  had  already  returned, 
and  reported,  that  their  enemies  had  been  traced  so  far  as  to 
leave  no  doubt  of  their  having  sought  safety  in  the  neighbor- 
ing camp  of  their  suspected  allies  the  Delawares.  •  With  the 
advantage  of  possessing  this  important  intelligence,  the  chief 
warily  laid  his  plans  before  his  fellows,  and,  as  might  have 
been  anticipated  from  his  eloquence  and  cunning,  they  were 
adopted  without  a  dissenting  voice.  They  were,  briefly,  as 
follows,  both  in  opinions  and  in  motives. 

It  has  been  already  stated  that,  in  obedience  to  a  policy 
rarely  departed  from,  the  sisters  were  separated  as  soon  as 
they 'reached  the  Huron  village.  Magua  had  early  discovered, 
that  in  retaining  the  person  of  Alice,  he  possessed  the  most 
effectual  check  on  Cora.  When  they  parted,  therefore,  he 
kept  the  former  within  reach  of  his  hand,  consigning  the  one 
he  most  valued  to  the  keeping  of  their  allies.  The  arrange- 
ment was  understood  to  be  merely  temporary,  and  was  made 
as  much  with  a  view  to  flatter  his  neighbors  as  in  obedience  to 
the  invariable  rule  of  Indian  policy. 

While  goaded  incessantly  by  those  revengeful    impulses 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS  287 

that  in  a  savage  seldom  slumber,  the  chief  was  still  attentive 
to  his  more  permanent  personal  interests.  The  follies  and 
disloyalty  committed  in  his  youth  were  to  be  expiated  by  a 
long  and  painful  penance  ere  he  could  be  restored  to  the  full 
enjoyment  of  the  confidence  of  his  ancient  people,  and  without 
confidence  there  could  be  no  authority  in  an  Indian  tribe.  In 
this  delicate  and  arduous  situation,  the  crafty  native  had  neg- 
lected no  means  of  increasing  his  influence  ;  and  one  of  the 
liappiest  of  his  expedients  had  been,  the  success  with  which 
he  had  cultivated  the  favor  of  their  powerful  and  dangerous 
neighbors.  The  result  of  his  experiment  had  answered  all 
the  expectations  of  his  policy ;  for  the  Hurons  were  in  no  de- 
gree exempt  from  that  governing  principle  of  nature,  which 
induces  man  to  value  his  gifts  precisely  in  the  degree  that 
they  are  appreciated  by  others. 

But  while  he  was  making  this  ostensible  sacrifice  to  gen- 
eral considerations,  Magua  never  lost  sight  of  his  individual 
motives.  The  latter  had  been  frustrated  by  the  unlooked-for 
events  which  had  placed  all  his  prisoners  beyond  his  control , 
and  he  now  found  himself  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  suing 
for  favors  to  those  whom  it  had  so  lately- been  his  policy  to 
oblige. 

Several  of  the  chiefs  had  proposed  deep  and  treacherous 
schemes  to  surprise  the  Delawares,  and,  by  gaining  posses* 
sion  of  their  camp,  to  recover  their  prisoners  by  the  same  blow; 
for  all  agreed  that  their  honor,  their  interest,  and  the  peace 
and  happiness  of  their  dead  countrymen,  imperiously  required 
them  speedily  to  immolate  some  victims  to  their  revenge. 
But  plans  so  dangerous  to  attempt,  and  of  such  doubtful  issue, 
Magua  found  little  difficulty  in  defeating.  He  exposed  their 
risk  and  fallacy  with  his  usual  skill ;  and  it  was  only  after  he 
had  removed  every  impediment,  in  the  shape  of  opposing 
advice,  that  he  ventured  to  propose  his  own  projects. 

He  commenced  by  flattering  the  self-love  of  his  auditors  ; 
a  never-failing  method  of  commanding  attention.  When  he 
had  enumerated  the  many  different  occasions  on  which  the 
Hurons  had  exhibited  their  courage  and  prowess,  in  the  punish- 
ment of  insults,  he  digressed  in  a  high  encomium  on  the  virtue 
of  wisdom.  He  painted  the  quality,  as  forming  the  great  point 
of  difference  between  the  beaver  and  other  brutes  ;  between 
brutes  and  men  ;  and,  finally,  between  the  Hurons,  in  partic- 
ular, and  the  rest  of  the  human  race.  After  he  had  sufri« 
ciently  extolled  the  property  of  discretion,  he  undertook  to 
exhibit  in  what  manner  its  use  was  applicable  to  the  present 


238  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

situation  of  their  tribe.  On  the  one  hand,  he  said,  was  theit 
great  pale  father,  the  governor  of  the  Canadas,  who  had 
looked  upon  his  children  with  a  hard  eye,  since  their  toma- 
hawks had  been  so  red  ;  on  the  other,  a  people  as  numerous  as 
themselves,  who  spoke  a  different  language,  possessed  different 
interests,  and  loved  them  not,  and  who  would  be  glad  of  any 
pretence  to  bring  them  in  disgrace  with  the  great  white  chief. 
Then  he  spoke  of  their  necessities ;  of  the  gifts  they  had  a 
right  to  expect  for  their  past  services  ;  of  their  distance  from 
their  proper  hunting-grounds  and  native  villages  ;  and  of  the 
necessity  of  consulting  prudence  more,  and  inclination  less,  in 
so  critical  circumstances.  When  he  perceived  that,  while  the 
old  men  applauded  his  moderation,  many  of  the  fiercest  and 
most  distinguished  of  the  warriors  listened  to  these  politic 
plans  with  lowering  looks,  he  cunningly  led  them  back  to  the 
subject  which  they  most  loved.  He  spoke  openly  of  the  fruits 
of  their  wisdom,  which  he  boldly  pronounced  would  be  a  com- 
plete and  final  triumph  over  their  enemies.  He  even  darkly 
hinted  that  their  success  might  be  extended,  with  proper  cau- 
tion, in  such  a  manner  as  to  include  the  destruction  of  all 
whom  they  had  reason  to  hate.  In  short,  he  so  blended  the 
warlike  with  the  artful,  the  obvious  with  the  obscure,  as  to 
flatter  the  propensities  of  both  parties,  and  to  leave  to  each 
subject  of  hope,  while  neither  could  say  it  clearly  compre- 
hended his  intentions. 

The  orator,  or  the  politician,  who  can  produce  such  a  state 
of  things,  is  commonly  popular  with  his  contemporaries,  how- 
ever he  may  he  treated  by  posterity.  All  perceived  that  more 
was  meant  than  was  uttered,  and  each  one  believed  that  the 
hidden  meaning  was  precisely  such  as  his  own  faculties 
enabled  him  to  understand,  or  his  own  wishes  led  him  to 
anticipate. 

In  this  happy  state  of  things,  it  is  not  surprising  that  the 
management  of  Magua  prevailed.  The  tribe  consented  to 
act  with  deliberation,  and  with  one  voice  they  committed  the 
direction  of  the  whole  affair  to  the  government  of  the  chief 
who  had  suggested  such  wise  and  intelligible  expedients. 

Magua  had  now  attained  one  great  object  of  all  his  cun- 
ning and  enterprise.  The  ground  he  had  lost  in  the  favor  of 
his  people  was  completely  regained,  and  he  found  himself 
even  placed  at  the  head  of  affairs.  He  was  in  truth  their 
ruler ;  and  so  long  as  he  could  maintain  his  popularity,  no 
monarch  could  be  more  despotic,  especially  while  the  tribo 
continued  in  a  hostile  country.  Throwing  off,  therefore,  th* 


THE  L4ST  OP  THE  MOHICANS.  289 

appearance  of  consultation,  he  assumed  the  grave  air  of  au- 
thority necessary  to  support  the  dignity  of  his  office. 

Runners  were  despatched  for  intelligence  in  different 
directions ;  spies  were  ordered  to  approach  and  feel  the 
encampment  of  the  Delawares ;  the  warriors  were  dismissed 
to  their  lodges,  with  an  intimation  that  their  services  would 
soon  be  needed  ;  and  the  women  and  children  were  ordered 
to  retire,  with  a  warning  that  it  was  their  province  to  be  silent. 
When  these  several  arrangements  were  made,  Magua  passed 
through  the  village,  stopping  here  and  there  to  pay  a  visit 
where  he  thought  his  presence  might  be  flattering  to  the  indi- 
vidual. He  confirmed  his  friends  in  their  confidence,  fixed 
the  wavering,  and  gratified  all.  Then  he  sought  his  own 
lodge.  The  wife  the  Huron  chief  had  abandoned,  when  he 
was  chased  from  among  his  people,  was  dead.  Children  he 
had  none ;  and  he  now  occupied  a  hut,  without  companion  of 
any  sort.  It  was,  in  fact,  the  dilapidated  and  solitary  structure 
in  which  David  had  been  discovered,  and  whom  he  had  toler- 
ated in  his  presence,  on  those  few  occasions  when  they  met, 
with  the  contemptuous  indifference  of  a  haughty  superiority. 

Hither,  then,  Magua  retired,  when  his  labors  of  policy 
were  ended.  While  others  slept,  however,  he  neither  knew 
nor  sought  repose.  Had  there  been  one  sufficiently  curious 
to  have  watched  the  movements  of  the  newly-elected  chief,  he 
would  have  seen  him  seated  in  a  corner  of  his  lodge,  musing 
on  the  subject  of  his  future  plans,  from  the  hour  of  his  retire- 
ment to  the  time  he  had  appointed  for  the  warriors  to  as- 
semble again.  Occasionally  the  air  breathed  through  the 
crevices  of  the  hut,  and  the  low  flames  that  fluttered  about 
the  embers  of  the  fire  threw  their  wavering  light  on  the  person 
of  the  sullen  recluse.  At  such  moments  it  would  not  have 
been  difficult  to  have  fancied  the  dusky  savage  the  Prince  of 
Darkness,  brooding  on  his  own  fancied  wrongs,  and  plotting 
evil. 

Long  before  the  day  dawned,  however,  warrior  after  war- 
rior entered  the  solitary  hut  of  Magua,  until  they  had  collected 
to  the  number  of  twenty.  Each  bore  his  rifle,  and  all  the 
other  accoutrements  of  war,  though  the  paint  was  uniformly 
peaceful.  The  entrance  of  these  fierce-looking  beings  was 
unnoticed ;  some  seating  themselves  in  the  shadows  of  the 
place,  and  others  standing  like  motionless  statues,  until  the 
whole  of  the  designated  band  was  collected. 

Then  Magua  arose  and  gave  the  signal  to  proceed,  maich* 
ing  himself  in  advance.  They  followed  their  leader  singly, 


290  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

and  in  that  well-known  order  which  has  obtained  the  di» 
tinguishing  appellation  of  "  Indian  file."  Unlike  other  men 
engaged  in  the  spirit-stirring  business  of  war,  they  stole  from 
their  camp  unostentatiously  and  unobserved,  resembling  a 
band  of  gliding  spectres,  more  than  warriors  seeking  the 
bubble  reputation  by  deeds  of  desperate  daring. 

Instead  of  taking  the  path  which  led  directly  towards  the 
camp  of  the  Delawares,  Magua  led  his  party  for  some  distance 
down  the  windings  of  the  stream,  and  along  the  little  artificial 
lake  of  the  beavers.  The  day  began  to  dawn  as  they  entered 
the  clearing  which  had  been  formed  by  those  sagacious  and 
industrious  animals.  Though  Magua,  who  had  resumed  his 
ancient  garb,  bore  the  outline  of  a  fox  on  the  dressed  skin 
which  formed  his  robe,  there  was  one  chief  of  his  party  who 
carried  the  beaver  as  his  peculiar  symbol,  or  "  totem."  There 
would  have  been  a  species  of  profanity  in  the  omission,  had 
this  man  passed  so  powerful  a  community  of  his  fancied  kin- 
dred, without  bestowing  some  evidence  of  his  regard.  Accord- 
ingly, he  paused,  and  spoke  in  words  as  kind  and  friendly  as  if 
he  were  addressing  more  intelligent  beings.  He  called  the 
animals  his  cousins,  and  reminded  them  that  his  protecting 
influence  was  the  reason  they  remained  unharmed,  while  so 
many  avaricious  traders  were  prompting  the  Indians  to  take 
their  lives.  He  promised  a  continuance  of  his  favors,  and 
admonished  them  to  be  grateful.  After  which  he  spoke  of 
the  expedition  in  which  he  was  himself  engaged,  and  in- 
timated, though  with  sufficient  delicacy  and  circumlocution, 
the  expediency  of  bestowing  on  their  relatives  a  portion  of 
that  wisdom  for  which  they  were  so  renowned.* 

During  the  utterance  of  this  extraordinary  address,  the 
companions  of  the  speaker  were  as  grave  and  as  attentive  to 
his  language  as  though  they  were  all  equally  impressed  with 
its  propriety.  Once  or  twice  black  objects  were  seen  rising 
to  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  the  Huron  expressed  pleasure, 
conceiving  that  his  words  were  not  bestowed  in  vain.  Just 
as  he  had  ended  his  address,  the  head  of  a  large  beaver  was 
thrust  from  the  door  of  a  lodge,  whose  earthen  walls  had  been 
much  injured,  and  which  the  party  had  believed,  from  its 
situation,  to  be  uninhabited.  Such  an  extraordinary  sign  of 
confidence  was  received  by  the  orator  as  a  highly  favorable 
omen  ;  and  though  the  animal  retreated  a  little  precipitately, 
he  was  lavish  of  his  thanks  and  commendations. 

*  These  harangues  to  the  beasts  are  frequent  among  the  Indians.  They  often 
address  their  victims  in  this  way,  reproaching  them  for  cowardice,  or  commending 
their  resolution,  as  they  may  happen  to  exhibit  fortitude,  or  the  reverse,  in  suffering. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  tyi 

When  Magua  thought  sufficient  time  had  been  lost  in 
gratifying  the  family  affection  of  the  warrior,  he  again  made 
the  signal  to  proceed.  As  the  Indians  moved  away  in  a  body, 
and  with  a  step  that  would  have  been  inaudible  to  the  ears 
of  any  common  man,  the  same  venerable-looking  beaver  once 
more  ventured  his  head  from  its  cover.  Had  any  of  the 
Hurons  turned  to  look  behind  them,  they  would  have  seen 
the  animal  watching  their  movements  with  an  interest  and 
sagacity  that  might  easily  have  been  mistaken  for  reason. 
Indeed,  so  very  distinct  and  intelligible  were  the  devices  of 
the  quadruped,  that  even  the  most  experienced  observer 
would  have  been  at  a  loss  to  account  for  its  actions,  until  the 
moment  when  the  party  entered  the  forest,  when  the  whole 
would  have  been  explained,  by  seeing  the  entire  animal  issue 
from,  the  lodge,  uncasing,  by  the  act,  the  grave  features  of 
Chingachgook  from  his  mask  of  fur. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

Brief,  I  pray  you  ;  for  you  see,  'tis  a  busy  time  with  me. 

MUCH  ADO  ABOUT  NOTHING. 

THE  tribe,  or  rather  half  tribe,  of  Delawares,  which  has 
been  so  often  mentioned,  and  whose  present  place  of  encamp- 
ment was  so  nigh  the  temporary  village  of  the  Hurons,  could 
assemble  about  an  equal  number  of  warriors  with  the  latter 
people.  Like  their  neighbors,  they  had  followed  Montcalm 
into  the  territories  of  the  English  crown,  and  were  making 
heavy  and  serious  inroads  on  the  hunting  grounds  of  the 
Mohawks  ;  though  they  had  seen  fit,  with  the  mysterious  re- 
serve so  common  among  the  natives,  to  withhold  their  assist- 
ance at  the  moment  when  it  was  most  required.  The  French 
had  accounted  for  this  unexpected  defection  on  the  part  of 
their  ally  in  various  ways.  It  was  the  prevalent  opinion, 
however,  that  they  had  been  influenced  by  veneration  for  the 
ancient  treaty,  that  had  once  made  them  dependent  on  the 
Six  Nations  for  military  protection,  and  now  rendered  them 
reluctant  to  encounter  their  former  masters.  As  for  the  tribe 
itself,  it  had  been  content  to  announce  to  Montcalm,  through 
his  emissaries,  witn  Indian  brevity,  that  their  hatchets  were 


292  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

dull,  and  time  was  necessary  to  sharpen  them.  The  politic 
Captain  of  the  Canadas  had  deemed  it  wiser  to  submit  to  en- 
tertain a  passive  friend,  than  by  any  acts  of  ill-judged  severity 
to  convert  him  into  an  open  enemy. 

On  that  morning  when  Magua  led  his  silent  party  from 
the  settlement  of  the  beavers  into  the  forest,  in  the  manner 
described,  the  sun  rose  upon  the  Delaware  encampment,  as  if 
it  had  suddenly  burst  upon  a  busy  people,  actively  employed 
in  all  the  customary  avocations  of  high  noon.  The  women 
ran  from  lodge  to  lodge,  some  engaged  in  preparing  their 
morning's  meal,  a  few  earnestly  bent  on  seeking  the  comforts 
necessary  to  their  habits,  but  more  pausing  to  exchange  hasty 
and  whispered  sentences  with  their  friends.  The  warriors 
were  lounging  in  groups,  musing  more  than  they  conversed  ; 
and  when  a  few  words  were  uttered,  speaking  like  men  who 
deeply  weighed  their  opinions.  The  instruments  of  the  chase 
were  to  be  seen  in  abundance  among  the  lodges  ;  but  none 
departed.  Here  and  there  a  warrior  was  examining  his  arms, 
with  an  attention  that  is  rarely  bestowed  on  the  implements, 
when  no  other  enemy  that  the  beasts  of  the  forest  is  expected 
to  be  encountered.  And,  occasionally,  the  eyes  of  a  whole 
group  were  turned  simultaneously  towards  a  large  and  silent 
lodge,  in  the  centre  of  the  village,  as  if  it  contained  the  sub- 
ject of  their  common  thoughts. 

During  the  existence  of  this  scene,  a  man  suddenly  ap- 
peared at  the  furthest  extremity  of  a  platform  of  rock  which 
formed  the  level  of  the  village.  He  was  without  arms,  and 
his  paint  tended  rather  to  soften  than  increase  the  natural 
sternness  of  his  austere  countenance.  When  in  full  view  of 
the  Delawares  he  stopped,  and  made  a  gesture  of  amity,  by 
throwing  his  arm  upward  towards  heaven,  and  then  letting  it 
fall  impressively  on  his  breast.  The  inhabitants  of  the  vil- 
lage answered  his  salute  by  a  low  murmur  of  welcome,  and 
encouraged  him  to  advance  by  similar  indications  of  friend- 
ship. Fortified  by  these  assurances,  the  dark  figure  left  the 
brow  of  the  natural  rocky  terrace,  where  it  had  stood  a  mo- 
ment, drawn  in  a  strong  outline  against  the  blushing  morning 
sky,  and  moved  with  dignity  into  the  very  centre  of  the  huts. 
As  he  approached,  nothing  was  audible  but  the  rattling  of  the 
light  silver  ornaments  that  loaded  his  arms  and  neckband  the 
tinkling  of  the  little  bells  that  fringed  his  deer  skin  moccasins. 
He  made,  as  he  advanced,  many  courteous  signs  of  greeting 
to  the  men  he  passed,  neglecting  to  notice  the  women,  how- 
ever, like  one  who  deemed  their  favor,  in  the  present  enter* 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  ^93 

prise,  of  no  importance.  When  he  had  reached  the  group  in 
which  it  was  evident,  by  the  haughtiness  of  their  common 
mien,  that  the  principal  chiefs  were  collected,  the  strangei 
paused,  and  then  the  Delawares  saw  that  the  active  and  erect 
form  that  stood  before  them  was  that  of  the  well-known  Huron 
chief,  Le  Renard  Subtil. 

His  reception  was  grave,  silent,  and  wary.  The  warriors 
in  front  stepped  aside/opening  the  way  to  their  most  approved 
orator  by  the  action  ;  one  who  spoke  all  those  languages  that 
were  cultivated  among  the  northern  aborigines. 

"  The  wise  Huron  is  welcome,"  said  the  Delaware,  in  the 
language  of  the  Maquas ;  "  he  is  come  to  eat  his  *  succa 
tash,'  *  with  his  brothers  of  the  lakes." 

"  He  is  come,"  repeated  Magua,  bending  his  head  with 
the  dignity  of  an  eastern  prince. 

The  chief  extended  his  arm,  and  taking  the  other  by  the 
wrist,  they  once  more  exchanged  friendly  salutation's.  Then 
the  Delaware  invited  his  guest  to  enter  his  own  lodge,  and 
share  his  morning  meal.  The  invitation  was  accepted  ;  and 
the  two  warriors,  attended  by  three  or  four  of  the  old  men, 
walked  calmly  away,  leaving  the  rest  of  the  tribe  devoured  by 
a  desire  to  understand  the  reasons  of  so  unusual  a  visit,  and 
yet  not  betraying  the  least  impatience  by  sign  or  word. 

During  the  short  and  frugal  repast  that  followed,  the  con- 
versation was  extremely  circumspect,  and  related  entirely  to 
the  events  of  the  hunt,  in  which  Magua  had  so  lately  been 
engaged.  It  would  have  been  impossible  for  the  most 
finished  breeding  to  wear  more  of  the  appearance  of  consider- 
ing the  visit  as  a  thing  of  course,  than  did  his  hosts,  notwith- 
standing every  individual  present  was  perfectly  aware  that  it 
must  be  connected  with  some  secret  object,  and  that  probably 
of  importance  to  themselves.  When  the  appetites  of  the 
whole  were  appeased,  the  squaws  removed  the  trenchers  and 
gourds,  and  the  two  parties  began  to  prepare  themselves  for 
a  subtle  trial  of  their  wits. 

"  Is  the  face  of  my  great  Canada  father  turned  again  to- 
wards his  Huron  children  ?  "  demanded  the  orator  of  the 
Delawares. 

"When  was  it  ever  otherwise  ?"  returned  Magua.  "He 
calls  my  people  'most  beloved.'  " 

The  Delaware  gravely  bowed  his  acquiescence  to  what  he 
knew  to  be  false,  and  continued, — 

*  A  dish  composed  of  cracked  corn  and  beans.  It  is  much  used  also  by  the 
whites.  By  corn  is  meant  maize. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS 

"  The  tomahawks  of  your  young  men  have  been  very 
red ! " 

"  It  is  so  ;  but  they  are  now  bright  and  dull  ;  for  the 
Vengeese  are  dead,  and  the  Delawares  are  our  neighbors," 

The  other  acknowledged  the  pacific  compliment  by  a 
gesture  of  the  hand,  and  remained  silent.  Then  Magua,  as  if 
recalled  to  such  a  recollection,  by  the  allusion  to  the  massacre, 
demanded, — 

"  Does  my  prisoner  give  trouble  to  my  brothers?  " 

"  She  is  welcome.'' 

"  The  path  between  the  Hurons  and  the  Delawares  is 
short,  and  it  is  open ;  let  her  be  sent  to  my  squaws,  if  she 
gives  trouble  to  my  brother." 

"  She  is  welcome,"  returned  the  chief  of  the  latter  nation 
still  more  emphatically. 

The  baffled  Magua  continued  silent  several  minutes,  ap- 
parently indifferent,  however,  to  the  repulse  he  had  received 
in  this  his  opening  effort  to  regain  possession  of  Cora. 

"  Do  my  young  men  leave  the  Delawares  room  on  the 
mountains  for  their  hunts  ?  "  he  at  length  continued. 

"  The  Lenape  are  rulers  of  their  own  hills,"  returned  the 
other  a  little  haughtily. 

"  It  is  well.  Justice  is  the  master  of  a  red-skin  !  Why 
should  they  brighten  their  tomahawks,  and  sharpen  their  knives 
against  each  other  ?  Are  not  the  pale-faces  thicker  than  the 
swallows  in  the  season  of  flowers  ?  " 

"  Good  ! "  exclaimed  two  or  three  of  his  auditors  at  the 
same  time. 

Magua  waited  a  little,  to  permit  his  words  to  soften  the 
feelings  of  the  Delawares,  before  he  added, — 

"  Have  there  not  been  strange  moccasins  in  the  woods  ? 
Have  not  my  brothers  scented  the  feet  of  white  men  ?  " 

"Let  my  Canada  father  come,"  returned  the  other, 
evasively ;  "  his  children  are  ready  to  see  him." 

"  When  the  great  chief  comes,  it  is  to  smoke  with  the 
Indians  in  their  wigwams.  The  Hurons  say,  too,  he  is  wel- 
come. But  the  Yengeese  have  long  arms,  and  legs  that  never 
tire  !  My  young  men  dreamed  they  had  seen  the  trail  of  the 
Yengeese  nigh  the  village  of  the  Delawares." 

"  They  will  not  find  the  Lenape  asleep." 
"  It  is  well.     The  warrior  whose  eye  is  open  can  see  his 
enemy,"  said  Magua,  once  more  shifting  his  ground,  when  he 
found  himself  unable  to  penetrate  the  caution  of  his  com- 
panion.    "  I  have  brought  gifts  to  my  brother.     His  nation 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  295 

would  not  go  on  the  war-path,  because  they  did  not  think 
it  well ;  but  their  friends  have  remembered  where  they 
lived." 

When  he  had  thus  announced  his  liberal  intention,  the 
crafty  chief  arose,  and  gravely  spread  his  presents  before  the 
dazzled  eyes  of  his  hosts.  They  consisted  principally  of 
trinkets  of  little  value,  plundered  from  the  slaughtered  females 
of  William  Henry.  In  the  division  of  the  baubles  the  cun- 
ning Huron  discovered  no  less  art  than  in  their  selection. 
While  he  bestowed  those  of  greater  value  on  the  two  most 
distinguished  warriors,  one  of  whom  was  his  host,  he  seasoned 
his  offerings  to  their  inferiors  with  such  well-timed  and 
apposite  compliments,  as  left  them  no  grounds  for  complaint. 
In  short,  the  whole  ceremony  contained  such  a  happy  blending 
of  the  profitable  with  the  flattering,  that  it  was  not  difficult 
for  the  donor  immediately  to  read  the  effect  of  a  generosity 
so  aptly  mingled  with  praise,  in  the  ^yes  of  those  he  ad- 
dressed. 

This  well-judged  and  politic  stroke  on  the  part  of  Magua 
was  not  without  instantaneous  results.  The  Delawares  lost 
their  gravity  in  a  much  more  cordial  expression  ;  and  the  host, 
in  particular,  after  contemplating  his  own  liberal  share  of  the 
spoil  for  some  moments  with  peculiar  gratification,  repeated 
with  strong  emphasis,  the  words, — 

"  My  brother  is  a  wise  chief.     He  is  welcome." 

"The  Hurons  love  their  friends  the  Delawares,"  returned 
Magua.  "  Why  should  they  not  ?  they  are  colored  by  the 
same  sun,  and  their  just  men  will  hunt  in  the  same  grounds 
after  death.  The  red-skins  should  be  friends,  and  look  with 
open  eye  on  the  white  men.  Has  not  my  brother  scented 
spies  in  the  woods  ?  " 

The  Delaware  whose  name  in  English  signified  "  Hard 
heart,"  an  appellation  that  the  French  had  translated  into 
"  Le  cceur-dur,"  forgot  that  obduracy  of  purpose,  which  had 
probably  obtained  him  so  significant  a  title.  His  countenance 
grew  very  sensibly  less  stern,  and  he  now  deigned  to  answer 
more  directly. 

"There  have  been  strange  moccasins  about  my  camp. 
They  have  been  tracked  into  my  lodges." 

"  Did  rny  brother  beat  out  the  dogs  ?  "  asked  Mugua, 
without  adverting  in  any  manner  to  the  former  equivocation 
of  the  chief. 

"  It  would  not  do.  The  stranger  is  always  welcome  to 
the  children  of  the  Lenape," 


296 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


"  The  stranger,  but  not  the  spy." 

"  Would  the  Yengeese  send  their  women  as  spies  ? 
not  the  Huron  chief  say  he  took  women  in  the  battle  ? " 

"  He  told  no  lie.  The  Yengeese  have  sent  out  their  scouts. 
They  have  been  in  my  wigwams,  but  they  found  no  one  to  say 
welcome.  Then  they  fled  to  the  Delawares — for,  say  they, 
the  Delawares  are  our  friends ;  their  minds  are  turned  from 
their  Canada  father." 

This  insinuation  was  a  home  thrust,  and  one  that  in  a 
more  advanced  state  of  society,  would  have  entitled  Magua 
to  the  reputation  of  a  skilful  diplomatist.  The  recent  defection 
of  the  tribe  had,  as  they  well  knew  themselves,  subjected  the 
Delawares  to  much  reproach  among  their  French  allies  ;  and 
they  were  now  made  to  feel  that  their  future  actions  were  to 
be  regarded  with  jealousy  and  distrust.  There  was  no  deep 
insight  into  causes  and  effects  necessary  to  foresee  that  such  a 
situation  of  things  was  likely  to  prove  highly  prejudicial  to 
their  future  movements.  Their  distant  villages,  their  hunting 
grounds,  and  hundreds  of  their  women  and  children,  together 
with  a  material  part  of  their  physical  force,  were  actually  within 
the  limits  of  the  French  territory.  Accordingly,  this  alarming 
annunciation  was  received,  as  Magua  intended,  with  manifest 
disapprobation,  if  not  with  alarm. 

"  Let  my  father  look  in  my  face,"  said  Le-cceur-dur  ;  "  he 
will  see  no  change.  It  is  true,  my  young  men  did  not  go  out 
on  the  war-path  ;  they  had  dreams  for  not  doing  so.  But  they 
love  and  venerate  the  great  white  chief." 

"Will  he  think  so  when  he  hears  that  his  greatest  enemy 
is  -fed  in  the  camp  of  his  children  ?  When  he  is  told  a  bloody 
Yengee  smokes  at  your  fire  ?  That  the  pale-face  who  has 
slain  so  many  of  his  friends  goes  in  and  out  among  the  Dela- 
wares ?  Go  ;  my  great  Canada  father  is  not  a  fool !  " 

"  Where  is  the  Yengee  that  the  Delawares  fear  ?  "  returned 
the  other  ;  "  who  has  slain  my  young  men  ?  who  is  the  mortal 
enemy  of  my  Great  Father  ? " 

"  La  longue  Carabine." 

The  Delaware  warriors  started  at  the  well  known  name, 
betraying,  by  their  amazement,  that  they  now  learnt,  for  the 
first  time,  one  so  famous  among  the  Indian  allies  of  France 
was  within  their  power. 

"  What  does  my  brother  mean  ?  "  demanded  Le-cceur-dur, 
in  a  tone  that,  by  its  wonder,  far  exceeded  the  usual  apathy  of 
\iis  race. 

"A  Huron  never  lies,"  returned  Magua,  coldly,  leaning  his 


THE  LAST  OP  THE  MOHICANS.  2gf 

head  against  the  side  of  the  lodge,  and  drawing  his  slight  robe 
across  his  tawny  breast.  "  Let  the  Delawares  count  their 
prisoners  ;  they  will  find  one  whose  skin  is  neither  red  no/ 
pale." ' 

A  long  and  musing  pause  succeeded.  The  chief  consulted 
apart  with  his  companions,  and  messengers  were  despatched 
to  collect  certain  others  of  the  most  distinguished  men  of  the 
tribe. 

As  warrior  after  warrior  dropped  in,  they  were  each  made 
acquainted,  in  turn,  with  the  important  intelligence  that 
Magua  had  just  communicated.  The  air  of  surprise,  and  the 
usual  low,  deep,  guttural  exclamation,  were  common  to  them 
all.  The  news  spread  from  mouth  to  mouth,  until  the  whole 
encampment  became  powerfully  agitated.  The  women  sus- 
pended their  labors,  to  catch  such  syllables  as  unguardedly 
fell  from  the  lips  of  the  consulting  warriors.  The  boys 
deserted  their  sports,  and  walking  fearlessly  among  their 
fathers,  looked  up  in  curious  admiration,  as  they  heard  the 
brief  exclamations  of  wonder  they  so  freely  expressed  at  the 
temerity  of  their  hated  foe.  In  short,  every  occupation  was 
abandoned  for  the  time,  and  all  other  pursuits  seemed  dis- 
carded, in  order  that  the  tribe  might  freely  indulge,  after  their 
own  peculiar  manner,  in  an  open  expression  of  feeling. 

When  the  excitement  had  a  little  abated,  the  old  men 
disposed  themselves  seriously  to  consider  that  which  it  became 
the  honor  and  safety  of  their  tribe  to  perform,  under  circum- 
stances of  so  much  delicacy  and  embarrassment.  During  all 
these  movements,  and  in  the  midst  of  the  general  commotion, 
Magua  had  not  only  maintained  his  seat  but  the  very  attitude 
he  had  originally  taken,  against  the  side  of  the  lodge,  where 
he  continued  as  immovable,  and,  apparently,  as  unconcerned, 
as  if  he  had  no  interest  in  the  result.  Not  a  single  indication  of 
the  future  intentions  of  his  hosts,  however,  escaped  his  vigilant 
eyes.  With  his  consummate  knowledge  of  the  nature  of  the 
people  with  whom  he  had  to  deal,  he  anticipated  every  measure 
on  which  they  decided ;  and  it  might  almost  be  said,  that,  in 
many  instances,  he  knew  their  intentions,  even  before  they 
became  known  to  themselves. 

The  council  of  the  Delawares  was  short.  When  it  was 
ended,  a  general  bustle  announced  that  it  was  to  be  immedi- 
ately succeeded  by  a  solemn  and  formal  assemblage  of  the 
nation.  As  such  meetings  were  rare,  and  only  called  on 
occasions  of  the  last  importance,  the  subtle  Huron,  who  still 
eat  apart,  a  wily  and  dark  observer  of  the  proceedings,  novf 


298  THE  LAST  Ot>  THE  MOHICANS. 

knew  that  all  his  projects  must  be  brought  to  their  final  issue. 
He,  therefore,  left  the  lodge,  and  walked  silently  forth  to  the 
place,  in  front  of  the  encampment,  whither  the  warriors  were 
already  beginning  to  collect. 

It  might  have  been  half  an  hour  before  each  individual, 
including  even  the  women  and  children,  was  in  his  place.  The 
delay  had  been  created  by  the  grave  preparations  that  were 
deemed  necessary  to  so  solemn  and  unusual  a  conference. 
But  when  the  sun  was  seen  climbing  above  the  tops  of  that 
mountain,  against  whose  bosom  the  Delawares  had  constructed 
their  encampment,  most  were  seated  ;  and  as  his  bright  rays 
darted  from  behind  the  outline  of  trees  that  fringed  the 
eminence,  they  fell  upon  as  grave,  as  attentive,  and  as  deeply 
interested  a  multitude,  as  was  probably  ever  before  lighted  by 
his  morning  beams.  Its  number  somewhat  exceeded  a  thou- 
sand souls. 

In  a  collection  of  so  serious  savages,  there  is  never  to  be 
found  any  impatient  aspirant  after  premature  distinction, 
standing  ready  to  move  his  auditors  to  some  hasty,  and,  per- 
fiaps,  injudicious  discussion,  in  order  that  his  own  reputation 
may  be  the  gainer.  An  act  of  so  much  precipitancy  and  pre- 
sumption would  seal  the  downfall  of  the  precocious  intellect 
forever.  It  rested  solely  with  the  oldest  and  most  expe- 
rienced of  the  men  to  lay  the  subject  of  the  conference  before 
the  people.  Until  such  a  one  chose  to  make  some  movement, 
no  deeds  in  arms,  no  natural  gifts,  nor  any  renown  as  an 
orator,  would  have  justified  the  slightest  interruption.  On 
the  present  occasion,  the  aged  warrior  whose  privilege  it  was 
to  speak,  was  silent,  seemingly  oppressed  with  the  magnitude 
of  his  subject.  The  delay  had  already  continued  long  beyond 
the  usual  deliberative  pause  that  always  precedes  a  conference  \ 
but  no  sign  of  impatience  or  surprise  escaped  even  the 
youngest  boy.  Occasionally,  an  eye  was  raised  from  the  earth, 
where  the  looks  of  most  were  riveted,  and  strayed  towards  a 
particular  lodge,  that  was,  however,  in  no  manner  distinguished 
from  those  around  it,  except  in  the  peculiar  care  that  had 
been  taken  to  protect  it  against  the  assaults  of  the  weather.. 

At  length,  one  of  those  low  murmurs  that  are  so  apt  to 
disturb  a  multitude,  was  heard,  and  the  whole  nation  arose  to 
their  feet  by  a  common  impulse.  At  that  instant  the  door  of 
the  lodge  in  question  opened,  and  three  men  issuing  from  it. 
iilowly  approached  the  place  of  consultation.  They  were  alL 
aged,  even  beyond  that  period  to  which  the  oldest  present 
had  reached  ;  but  one  in  the  centre,  who  leaned  on  his  com- 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  299 

panions  for  support,  had  numbered  an  amount  of  years  to 
which  the  human  race  is  seldom  permitted  to  attain.  His 
frame,  which  had  once  been  tall  and  erect,  like  the  cedar,  was 
now  bending  under  the  pressure  of  more  than  a  century. 
The  elastic,  light  step  of  an  Indian  was  gone,  and  in  its  place 
he  was  compelled  to  toil  his  tardy  way  over  the  ground,  inch 
by  inch.  His  dark,  wrinkled  countenance  was  in  singular 
and  wild  contrast  with  the  long  white  locks  which  floated  on 
his  shoulders,  in  such  thickness,  as  to  announce  that  gener- 
ations had  probably  passed  away  since  they  had  last  been 
shorn. 

The  dress  of  this  patriarch — for  such,  considering  his  vast 
age,  in  conjunction  with  his  affinity  and  influence  with  his 
people,  he  might  very  properly  be  termed — was  rich  and  im- 
posing, though  strictly  after  the  simple  fashions  of  the  tribe. 
His  robe  was  of  the  finest  skins,  which  had  been  deprived  of 
their  fur,  in  order  to  admit  of  a  hieroglyphical  representation 
of  various  deeds  in  arms,  done  in  former  ages.  His  bosom 
was  loaded  with  medals,  some  in  massive  silver,  and  one  or 
two  even  in  gold,  the  gifts  of  various  Christian  potentates 
during  the  long  period  of  his  life.  He  also  wore  armlets,  and 
cinctures  above  the  ankles,  of  the  latter  precious  metal. 
His  head,  on  the  whole  of  which  the  hair  had  been  permitted 
to  grow,  the  pursuits  of  war  having  so  long  been  abandoned, 
was  encircled  by  a  sort  of  plated  diadem,  which,  in  its  turn, 
bore  lesser  and  more  glittering  ornaments,  that  sparkled  amid 
the  glossy  hues  of  three  drooping  ostrich  feathers,  dyed  a 
deep  black,  in  touching  contrast  to  the  color  of  his  snow-white 
locks.  His  tomahawk  was  nearly  hid  in  silver,  and  the 
handle  of  his  knife  shone  like  a  horn  of  solid  gold. 

So  soon  as  the  first  hum  of  emotion  and  pleasure,  which 
the  sudden  appearance  of  this  venerated  individual  created, 
had  a  little  subsided,  the  name  of  "Tamenund"  was  whis- 
pered from  mouth  to  mouth.  Magua  had  often  heard  the 
fame  of  this  wise  and  just  Delaware  ;  a  reputation  that  even 
proceeded  so  far  as  to  bestow  on  him  the  rare  gift  of  holding 
secret  communion  with  the  Great  Spirit,  and  which  has  since 
transmitted  his  name,  with  some  slight  alteration,  to  the 
white  usurpers  of  his  ancient  territory,  as  the  imaginary  tute- 
lar saint  *  of  a  vast  empire.  The  Huron  chief,  therefore, 
stepped  eagerly  out  a  little  from  the  throng,  to  a  spot  whence 

*  The  Americans  sometimes  call  their  tutelar  saint  Tamenay,  a  corruption  of 
the  name  of  the  renowned  chief  here  introduced.  There  arc  many  traditions  which 
speak  of  the  character  and  power  of  Tamenund. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

he  might  catch  a  nearer  glimpse  of  the  features  of  the  man, 
whose  decision  was  likely  to  produce  so  deep  an  influence  on 
his  own  fortunes. 

The  eyes  of  the  old  man  were  closed,  as  though  the 
organs  were  wearied  with  having  so  long  witnessed  the  selfish 
workings  of  the  human  passions.  The  color  of  his  skin  dif- 
fered from  that  of  most  around  him,  being  richer  and  darker, 
the  latter  hue  having  been  produced  by  certain  delicate  and 
mazy  lines  of  complicated  and  yet  beautiful  figures,  which  had 
been  traced  over  most  of  his  person  by  the  operation  of  tat 
tooing.  Notwithstanding  the  position  of  the  Huron,  he 
passed  the  observant  and  silent  Magua  without  notice,  and 
leaning  on  his  two  venerable  supporters  proceeded  to  the 
high  place  of  the  multitude,  where  he  seated  himself  in  the 
centre  of  his  nation,  with  the  dignity  of  a  monarch  and  the 
air  of  a  father. 

Nothing  could  surpass  the  reverence  and  affection  with 
which  this  unexpected  visit  from  one  who  belonged  rather  to 
another  world  than  to  this  was  received  by  his  people.  After 
a  suitable  and  decent  pause,  the  principal  chiefs  arose  ;  and 
approaching  the  patriarch,  they  placed  his  hands  rever- 
ently on  their  heads,  seeming  to  entreat  a  blessing.  Tht» 
young  men  were  content  with  touching  his  robe,  or  even 
drawing  nigh  his  person,  in  order  to  breathe  in  the  atmos 
phere  of  one  so  aged,  so  just,  and  so  valiant.  None  but  the 
most  distinguished  among  the  youthful  warriors  even  pre- 
sumed so  far  as  to  perform  the  latter  ceremony  ;  the  great 
mass  of  the  multitude  deeming  it  a  sufficient  happiness  to 
look  upon  a  form  so  deeply  venerated,  and  so  well  beloved. 
When  these  acts  of  affection  and  respect  were  performed,  the 
chiefs  drew  back  again  to  their  several  places,  and  silence 
reigned  in  the  whole  encampment. 

After  a  short  delay,  a  few  of  the  young  men,  to  whom 
instructions  had  been  whispered  by  one  of  the  aged  attend- 
ants of  Tamenund,  arose,  left  the  crowd,  and  entered  the 
lodge  which  has  already  been  noted  as  the  object  of  so  much 
attention  throughout  that  morning.  In  a  few  minutes  they 
reappeared,  escorting  the  individual  who  had  caused  all  these 
solemn  preparations  towards  the  seat  of  judgment.  The 
crowd  opened  in  a  lane  ;  and  when  the  party  had  re-entered, 
it  closed  in  again,  forming  a  large  and  dense  belt  of  humaa 
bodies,  arranged  in  an  open  circle. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

The  assembly  seated,  rising  o'er  the  rest, 
Achilles  thus  the  king  of  men  addressed. 

POPE'S  HOME*. 

CORA  stood  foremost  among  the  prisoners,  entwining  hei 
arms  in  those  of  Alice,  in  the  tenderness  of  sisterly  love, 
Notwithstanding  the  fearful  and  menacing  array  of  savages 
on  every  side  of  her,  no  apprehension  on  her  own  account 
could  prevent  the  noble-minded  maiden  from  keeping  her 
eyes  fastened  on  the  pale  and  anxious  features  of  the  trem- 
bling Alice.  Close  at  their  side  stood  Heyward,  with  an 
interest  in  both,  that,  at  such  a  moment  of  intense  uncertainty, 
scarcely  knew  a  preponderance  in  favor  of  her  whom  he  most 
loved.  Hawk-eye  had  placed  himself  a  little  in  the  rear, 
with  a  deference  to  the  superior  rank  of  his  companions,  that 
no  similarity  in  the  state  of  their  present  fortunes  could  in- 
duce him  to  forget.  Uncas  was  not  there. 

When  perfect  silence  was  again  restored,  and  after  the 
usual  long,  impressive  pause,  one  of  the  two  aged  chiefs  who 
sat  at  the  side  of  the  patriarch  arose,  and  demanded  aloud, 
in  very  intelligible  English, — 

"  Which  of  my  prisoners  is  La  longue  Carabine  ?  " 

Neither  Duncan  nor  the  scout  answered.  The  former, 
however,  glanced  his  eyes  around  the  dark  and  silent  assem- 
bly, and  recoiled  a  pace,  when  they  fell  on  the  malignant 
visage  of  Magua.  He  saw,  at  once,  that  this  wily  savage  had 
some  secret  agency  in  their  present  arraignment  before  the 
nation,  and  determined  to  throw  every  possible  impediment 
in  the  way  of  the  execution  of  his  sinister  plans.  He  had 
witnessed  one  instance  of  the  summary  punishments  of  the 
Indians,  and  now  dreaded  that  his  companion  was  to  be  se- 
lected for  a  second.  In  this  dilemma,  with  little  or  no  time 
for  reflection,  he  suddenly  determined  to  cloak  his  invaluable 
friend,  at  any  or  every  hazard  to  himself.  Before  he  had 
time,  however,  to  speatc,  the  question  was  repeated  in  a  loudei 
voice,  and  with  a  clearer  utterance. 


302  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

"  Give  us  arms,"  the  young  man  haughtily  replied,  "and 
place  us  in  yonder  woods.  Our  deeds  shall  speak  for  us  !  " 

"  This  is  the  warrior  whose  name  has  filled  our  ears  ! " 
returned  the  chief,  regarding  Heyward  with  that  sort  of  cu- 
rious interest  which  seems  inseparable  from  man,  when  first 
beholding  one  of  his  fellows  to  whom  merit  or  accident,  virtue 
or  crime,  has  given  notoriety.  "  What  has  brought  the  white 
man  into  the  camp  of  the  Delawares  ?  " 

"  My  necessities.     I  come  for  food,  shelter,  and  friends." 

"  It  cannot  be.  The  woods  are  full  of  game.  The  head 
of  a  warrior  needs  no  other  shelter  than  a  sky  without  clouds  \ 
and  the  Delawares  are  the  enemies,  and  not  the  friends,  of  the 
Yengeebe.  Go — the  mouth  lias  spoken,  while  the  heart  said 
nothing." 

Duivcan,  a  little  at  a  loss  in  what  manner  to  proceed,  re- 
mained silent ;  but  the  scout,  who  had  listened  attentively  to 
all  that  passed,  now  advanced  steadily  to  the  front. 

"  That  I  did  not  answer  to  the  call  for  La  longue  Cara- 
bine, was  not  owing  either  to  shame  or  fear,"  he  said;  "for 
neither  one  nor  the  other  is  the  gift  of  an  honest  man.  But 
I  do  not  admit  the  right  of  the  Mingoes  to  bestow  a  name  on 
one  whose  friends  have  been  mindful  of  his  gifts,  in  this  par- 
ticular ;  especially  as  their  title  is  a  lie,  '  kill-deer '  being  a 
grooved  barrel  and  no  carabyne.  I  am  the  man,  however, 
that  got  the  name  of  Nathaniel  from  my  kin  ;  the  compliment 
of  Hawk-eye  from  the  Delawares,  who  live  on  their  own  river  ,• 
and  whom  the  Iroquois  have  presumed  to  style  the  *  Long 
Rifle,*  without  any  warranty  from  him  who  is  most  concerned 
in  the  matter." 

The  eyes  of  all  present,  which  had  hitherto  been  gravely 
scanning  the  person  of  Duncan,  were  now  turned,  on  the  in- 
stant, towards  the  upright,  iron  frame  of  this  new  pretender  to 
the  distinguished  appellation.  It  was  in  no  degree  remarkable 
that  there  should  be  found  two  who  were  willing  to  claim  so 
great  an  honor,  for  impostors,  though  rare,  were  not  unknown 
amongst  the  natives  ;  but  it  was  altogether  material  to  the 
just  and  severe  intentions  of  the  Delawares,  that  there  should 
be  no  mistake  in  the  matter.  Some  of  their  old  men  con- 
sulted together  in  private,  and  then,  as  it  would  seem,  they 
determined  to  interrogate  their  visitor  on  the  subject. 

"  My  brother  has  said  that  a  snake  crept  into  my  camp,* 
said  the  chief  to  Magua  ;  "  which  is  he  ? " 

The  Huron  pointed  to  the  scout. 

"  Will  a  wise  Delaware  believe  the  barking  of  a  wolf. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  ^03 

exclaimed  Duncan,  still  more  confirmed  in  the  evil  intentions 
of  his  ancient  enemy  ;  "  a  dog  never  lies,  but  when  was  a  wolf 
known  to  speak  the  truth  ? " 

The  eyes  of  Magua  flashed  fire  ;  but  suddenly  recollect- 
ing the  necessity  of  maintaining  his  presence  of  mind,  he 
turned  away,  in  silent  disdain,  well  assured  that  the  sagacity 
of  the  Indians  would  not  fail  to  extract  the  real  merits  of  the 
point  in  controversy.  He  was  not  deceived  ;  for,  after  another 
short  consultation,  the  wary  Delaware  turned  to  him  again, 
and  expressed  the  determination  of  the  chiefs,  though  in  the 
most  considerate  language. 

"  My  brother  has  been  called  a  liar,"  he  said,  "  and  his 
friends  are  angry.  They  will  show  that  he  has  spoken  the 
truth.  Give  my  prisoners  guns,  and  let  them  prove  which  is 
the  man." 

Magua  affected  to  consider  the  expedient,  which  he  well 
knew  proceeded  from  distrust  of  himself,  as  a  compliment, 
and  made  a  gesture  of  acquiescence,  well  content  that  his 
veracity  should  be  supported  by  so  skilful  a  marksman  as  the 
scout.  The  weapons  were  instantly  placed  in  the  hands  of  the 
friendly  opponents,  and  they  were  bid  to  fire,  over  the  heads 
of  the  seated  multitude,  at  an  earthen  vessel,  which  lay  by 
accident  on  a  stump,  some  fifty  yards  from  the  place  where 
they  stood. 

Heyward  smiled  to  himself  at  the  idea  of  a  competition 
with  the  scout,  though  he  determined  to  persevere  in  the  de- 
ception, until  apprised  of  the  real  designs  of  Magua.  Raising 
his  rifle  with  the  utmost  care,  and  renewing  his  aim  three  sev- 
eral times,  he  fired.  The  bullet  cut  the  wood  within  a  few 
inches  of  the  vessel ;  and  a  general  exclamation  of  satisfac- 
tion announced  that  the  shot  was  considered  a  proof  of  great 
skill  in  the  use  of  the  weapon.  Even  Hawk-eye  nodded  his 
head,  as  if  he  would  say,  it  was  better  than  he  had  expected. 
But,  instead  of  manifesting  an  intention  to  contend  with  the 
iuccessful  marksman,  he  stood  leaning  on  his  rifle  for  more 
ihan  a  minute,  like  a  man  who  was  completely  buried  in 
Thought.  From  this  reverie  he  was,  however,  awakened  by 
one  of  the  young  Indians  who  had  furnished  the  arms,  and 
who  now  touched  his  shoulder,  saying  in  exceedingly  broken 
English, — 

"  Can  the  pale-face  beat  it  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Huron  !  "  exclaimed  the  scout,  raising  the  short 
rifle  in  his  right  hand,  and  shaking  it  at  Magua,  with  as  much 
apparent  ease  as  \i  it  were  a  reed-  « yes,  Huron,  I  could 


$04.  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

strike  you  now,  and  no  power  of  earth  could  prevent  the 
deed  !  The  soaring  hawk  is  not  more  certain  of  the  dove 
than  I  am  this  moment  of  you,  did  I  choose  to  send  a  bullet 
to  your  heart !  Why  should  I  not  ?  Why — because  the  gifts 
of  my  color  forbid  it,  and  I  might  draw  down  evil  on  tendel 
and  innocent  heads !  If  you  know  such  a  being  as  God, 
thank  him,  therefore,  in  your  inward  soul — for  you  have 
reason !  " 

The  flushed  countenance,  angry  eye,  and  swelling  figure 
of  the  scout,  produced  a  sensation  of  secret  awe  in  all  that 
heard  him.  The  Delawares  held  their  breath  in  expectation  ; 
but  Magua  himself,  even  while  he  distrusted  the  forbearance 
of  his  enemy,  remained  immovable  arid  calm,  where  he  stood 
wedged  in  by  the  crowd,  as  one  who  grew  to  the  spot. 

"Beat  it,"  repeated  the  young  Delaware  at  the  elbow  of 
the  scout. 

"Beat  whet!  fool !— what !  "—exclaimed  Hawk-eye,  still 
flourishing  the  weapon  angrily  above  his  head,  though  his  eye 
no  longer  sought  the  person  of  Magna. 

"  If  the  white  man  is  the  warrior  he  pretends,"  said  the 
aged  chief,  "  let  him  strike  nigher  to  the  mark." 

The  scout  laughed  aloud — a  noise  that  produced  the 
startling  effect  of  an  unnatural  sound  on  Heyward — then 
dropping  the  piece,  heavily,  into  his  extended  left  hand,  it 
was  discharged,  apparently  by  the  shock,  driving  the  frag- 
ments of  the  vessel  into  the  air,  and  scattering  them  on  every 
side.  Almost  at  the  same  instant,  the  rattling  sound  of  the 
rifle  was  heard,  as  he  suffered  it  to  fall,  contemptuously,  to 
the  earth. 

The  first  impression  of  so  strange  a  scene  was  engrossing 
admiration.  Then  a  low,  but  increasing  murmur,  ran  through 
the  multitude,  and  finally  swelled  into  sounds  that  denoted  a 
lively  opposition  in  the  sentiments  of  the  spectators.  While 
some  openly  testified  their  satisfaction  at  so  unexampled 
dexterity,  by  far  the  larger  portion  of  the  tribe  were  inclined 
to  believe  the  success  of  the  shot  was  the  result  of  the  acci- 
dent. Heyward  was  not  slow  to  confirm  an  opinion  that  was 
so  favorable  to  his  own  pretensions. 

"  It  was  chance  !  "  he  exclaimed  \  "  none  can  shoot  with- 
out an  aim  !  " 

u  Chance  !  "  echoed  the  excited  woodsman,  who  was  now 
itubbornly  bent  on  maintaining  his  identity  at  every  hazard, 
and  on  whom  the  secret  hints  of  Heyward  to  acquiesce  in 
the  deception  were  entirely  lost.  "  Does  yonder  lying  Huron, 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  305 

too,  think  it  chance  ?  Give  him  another  gun,  and  place  us 
face  to  face,  without  cover  or  dodge,  and  let  Providence,  and 
our  own  eyes,  decide  the  matter  atween  us  !  I  do  not  make 
the  offer  to  you,  major ;  for  our  blood  is  of  a  color,  and  we 
serve  the  same  master." 

"  That  the  Huron  is  a  liar,  is  very  evident,"  returned  Hey- 
ward,  coolly  ;  "  you  have  yourself  heard  him  assert  you  to  be 
La  longue  Carabine." 

It  were  impossible  to  say  what  violent  assertion  the  stub- 
born Hawk-eye  would  have  next  made,  in  his  headlong  wish 
to  vindicate  his  identity,  had  not  the  aged  Delaware  once 
more  interposed. 

"  The  hawk  which  comes  from  the  clouds  can  return  when 
he  will,"  he  said  j  "give  them  the  guns." 

This  time  the  scout  seized  the  rifle  with  avidity  ;  nor  had 
Magua,  though  he  watched  the  movement  of  the  marksman 
with  jealous  eyes,  any  further  cause  for  apprehension. 

"  Now  let  it  be  proved,  in  the  face  of  this  tribe  of  Dela- 
wares,  which  is  the  better  man,"  cried  the  scout,  tapping  the 
butt  of  his  piece  with  that  finger  which  had  pulled  so  many 
fatal  triggers.  "  You  see  the  gourd  hanging  against  yonder 
tree,  major  ;  if  you  are  a  marksman  fit  for  the  borders,  let  me 
see  you  break  its  shell." 

Duncan  noted  the  object,  and  prepared  himself  lo  renew 
the  trial.  The  gourd  was  one  of  the  usual  little  vessels  used 
by  the  Indians,  and  it  was  suspended  from  a  dead  branch  of 
a  small  pine,  by  a  thong  of  deer-skin,  at  the  full  distance  of 
a  hundred  yards.  So  strangely  compounded  is  the  feeling  of 
self-love,  that  the  young  soldier,  while  he  knew  the  utter 
worthlessness  of  the  suffrages  of  his  savage  umpires,  forgot 
the  sudden  motives  of  the  contest  in  a  wish  to  excel.  It  has 
been  seen,  already,  that  his  skill  was  far  from  being  con- 
temptible, and  he  now  resolved  to  put  forth  its  nicest  qualities. 
Had  his  life  depended  on  the  issue,  the  aim  of  Duncan  could 
not  have  been  more  deliberate  or  guarded.  He  fired ;  and 
three  or  four  young  Indians,  who  sprang  forward  at  the  report, 
announced  with  a  shout,  that  the  ball  was  in  the  tree,  a  very 
little  on  one  side  of  the  proper  object.  The  warriors  uttered 
a  common  ejaculation  of  pleasure,  and  then  turned  their  eyes 
inquiringly  on  the  movements  of  his  rival. 

"  It  may  do  for  the  Royal  Americans !  "  said  Hawk-eye, 
laughing  once  more  in  his  own  silent,  heartfelt  manner; 
"  out  had  my  gun  often  turned  so  much  from  the  true  line, 
many  a  marten,  whose  skin  is  now  in.  a  lady's  muff,  would 

20 


,jo6  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

still  be  in  the  woods ;  ay,  and  many  a  bloody  Mingo,  wh6 
has  departed  to  his  final  account,  would  be  acting  his  devil 
tries  at  this  very  day,  atween  the  provinces.  I  hope  the  squaw 
who  owns  the  gourd  has  more  of  them  in  her  wigwam,  for 
this  will  never  hold  water  again  !  " 

The  scout  had  shook  his  priming,  and  cocked  his  piece, 
while  speaking ;  and,  as  he  ended,  he  threw  back  a  foot,  and 
slowly  raised  the  muzzle  from  the  earth ;  the  motion  was 
steady,  uniform,  and  in  one  direction.  When  on  a  perfect 
level,  it  remained  for  a  single  moment,  without  tremor  or 
variation,  as  though  both  man  and  rifle  were  carved  in  stone. 
During  that  stationary  instant,  it  poured  forth  its  contents,  in 
a  bright  glancing  sheet  of  flame.  Again  the  young  Indians 
bounded  forward  ;  but  their  hurried  search  and  disappointed 
looks  announced  that  no  traces  of  the  bullet  were  to  be 
seen. 

"  Go,"  said  the  old  chief  to  the  scout,  in  a  tone  of  strong 
disgust ;  "  thou  art  a  wolf  in  the  skin  of  a  dog.  I  will  talk 
to  the  '  Long  Rifle '  of  the  Yengeese." 

"  Ah  !  had  I  that  piece  which  furnished  the  name  you  use, 
I  would  obligate  myself  to  cut  the  thong,  and  drop  the 
gourd  without  breaking  it !  "  returned  Hawk-eye,  perfectly 
undisturbed  by  the  other's  manner.  "Fools,  if  you  would 
find  the  bullet  of  a  sharpshooter  of  these  woods,  you  must 
look  in  the  object  and  not  around  it !  " 

The  Indian  youths  instantly  comprehended  his  meaning — 
for  this  time  he  spoke  in  the  Delaware  tongue — and  tearing 
the  gourd  from  the  tree,  they  held  it  on  high  with  an  exulting 
shout,  displaying  a  hole  in  its  bottom,  which  had  been  cut 
by  the  bullet,  after  passing  through  the  usual  orifice  in  the 
centre  of  its  upper  side.  At  this  unexpected  exhibition,  a 
loud  and  vehement  expression  of  pleasure  burst  from  the 
mouth  of  every  warrior  present.  It  decided  the  question, 
and  effectually  established  Hawk-eye  in  the  possession  of  his 
dangerous  reputation.  Those  curious  and  admiring  eyes, 
which  had  been  turned  again  on  Heyward,  were  finally  directed 
to  the  weather-beaten  form  of  the  scout,  who  immediately 
became  the  principal  object  of  attention  to  the  simple  and 
unsophisticated  beings  by  whom  he  was  surrounded.  When 
the  sudden  and  noisy  commotion  had  a  little  subsided,  the 
aged  chief  resumed  his  examination. 

"  Why  did  you  wish  to  stop  my  ears  ?  "  he  said,  addressing 
Duncan  ;  "  are  the  Delawares  fools,  that  they  could  not  knovf 
the  young  panther  from  the  cat  ?  " 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  307 

"  They  will  yet  find  the  Huron  a  singing  bird,"  said 
Duncan,  endeavoring  to  adopt  the  figurative  language  of  the 
natives. 

"  It  is  good.  We  will  know  who  can  shut  the  ears  of 
men.  Brother,"  added  the  chief,  turning  his  eyes  on  Magua, 
"  th«  Delawares  listen." 

Thus  singled,  and  directly  called  on  to  declare  his  object, 
the  Huron  arose  ;  and  advancing  with  great  deliberation  and 
dignity,  into  the  very  centre  of  the  circle,  where  he  stood  con- 
fronted to  the  prisoners,  he  placed  himself  in  an  attitude  to 
speak.  Before  opening  his  mouth,  however,  he  bent  his  eyes 
slowly  along  the  whole  living  boundary  of  earnest  faces,  as  if 
to  temper  his  expression  to  the  capacities  of  his  audience. 
On  Hawk-eye  he  cast  a  glance  of  respectful  enmity ;  on 
Duncan,  a  look  of  inextinguishable  hatred ;  the  shrinking 
figure  of  Alice  he  scarcely  deigned  to  notice ;  but  when  his 
glance  met  the  firm,  commanding,  and  yet  lovely  form  of 
Cora,  his  eyes  lingered  a  moment,  with  an  expression  that  it 
might  have  been  difficult  to  define.  Then,  filled  with  his  own 
dark  intentions,  he  spoke  in  the  language  of  the  Canadas,  a 
tongue  that  he  well  knew  was  comprehended  by  most  of  his 
auditors. 

"  The  Spirit  that  made  men  colored  them  differently," 
commenced  the  subtle  Huron.  "Some  are  blacke  :  than  the 
sluggish  bear.  These  he  said  should  be  slaves ;  and  he 
ordered  them  to  work  forever  like  the  beaver.  You  may  hear 
them  groan,  when  the  south  wind  blows  louder  than  the  low- 
ing buffaloes,  along  the  shores  of  the  great  salt  lake,  where 
the  big  canoes  come  and  go  with  them  in  droves.  Some  he 
made  with  faces  paler  than  the  ermine  of  the  forests  :  and 
these  he  ordered  to  be  traders  ;  dogs  to  their  women,  and 
wolves  to  their  slaves.  He  gave  this  people  the  nature  of 
the  pigeon  ;  wings  that  never  tire;  young,  more  plentiful  than 
the  leaves  on  the  trees,  and  appetites  to  devour  the  earth. 
He  gave  them  tongues  like  the  false  call  of  the  wild-cat; 
hearts  like  rabbits  ;  the  cunning  of  the  hog  (but  none  of  the 
fox),  and  arms  longer  than  the  legs  of  the  moose.  With  his 
tongue,  he  stops  the  ears  of  the  Indians ;  his  heart  teaches 
him  to  pay  warriors  to  fight  his  battles  ;  his  cunning  tells  him 
how  to  get  together  the  goods  of  the  earth  ;  and  his  arms  in- 
close the  land  from  the  shores  of  the  salt-water  to  the  islands  of 
the  great  lake.  His  gluttony  makes  him  sick,  God  gave  him 
enough,  and  yet  he  wants  all.  Such  are  the  pale-faces. 

""Some  the  Great  Spirit  made  with  skins  brighter  and 


308  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

redder  than  yonder  sun,"  continued  Magua,  pointing  impres- 
sively  upwards  to  the  lurid  luminary,  which  was  struggling 
through  the  misty  atmosphere  of  the  horizon ;  "  and  these 
did  he  fashion  to  his  own  mind.  He  gave  them  this  island 
as  he  had  made  it,  covered  with  trees,  and  filled  with  game. 
The  wind  made  their  clearings  ;  the  sun  and  rains  ripened 
their  fruits  ;  and  the  snows  came  to  tell  them  to  be  thankful. 
What  need  had  they  of  roads  to  journey  by !  They  saw 
through  the  hills  !  When  the  beavers  worked,  they  lay  in  the 
shade  and  looked  on.  The  winds  cooled  them  in  summer ; 
in  winter,  skins  kept  them  warm.  If  they  fought  among  them- 
selves, it  was  to  prove  that  they  were  men.  They  were  brave  ; 
they  were  just ;  they  were  happy." 

Here  the  speaker  paused,  and  again  looked  around  him, 
to  discover  if  his  legend  had  touched  the  sympathies  of  his 
listeners.  He  met  everywhere  with  eyes  riveted  on  his  own, 
heads  erect,  and  nostrils  expanded,  as  if  each  individual 
present  felt  himself  able  and  willing,  singly,  to  redress  the 
wrongs  of  his  race. 

"  If  the  Great  Spirit  gave  different  tongues  to  his  red 
children,"  he  continued,  in  a  low,  still  melancholy  voice,  "it 
was  that  all  animals  might  understand  them.  Some  he 
placed  among  the  snows,  with  their  cousin  the  bear.  Some 
he  placed  near  the  setting  sun,  on  the  road  to  the  happy  hunt- 
ing-grounds. Some  on  the  lands  around  the  great  fresh 
waters ;  but  to  his  greatest,  and  most  beloved,  he  gave  the 
sands  of  the  salt  lake.  Do  my  brothers  know  the  name  of 
this  favored  people  ?  " 

"  It  was  the  Lenape  !  "  exclaimed  twenty  eager  voices,  in 
A  breath. 

"  It  was  the  Lenni  Lenape  !  "  returned  Magua,  affecting 
to  bend  his  head  in  reverence  to  their  former  greatness.  "  It 
was  the  tribe  of  the  Lenape  !  The  sun  rose  from  water  that 
was  salt,  and  set  in  water  that  was  sweet,  and  never  hid  him- 
self from  their  eyes.  But  why  should  I,  a  Huron  of  the 
woods,  tell  a  wise  people  their  own  traditions  ?  Why  remind 
them  of  their  injuries  ;  their  ancient  greatness  ;  their  deeds  ; 
their  glory  ;  their  happiness  : — their  losses  ;  their  defeats  \ 
their  misery  ?  Is  there  not  one  among  them  who  has  seen  it 
all,  and  who  knows  it  to  be  true  ?  I  have  done.  My  tongue 
is  still,  for  my  heart  is  of  lead.  I  listen." 

As  the  voice  of  the  speaker  suddenly  ceased,  every  face 
and  all  eyes  turned,  by  a  common  movement,  towards  the  ven- 
erable Tamenund.  From  the  moment  that  he  took  his  seat, 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


309 


until  the  present  instant,  the  lips  of  the  patriarch  had  not  sev- 
ered, and  scarcely  a  sign  of  life  had  escaped  him.  He  sat 
bent  in  feebleness,  and  apparently  unconscious  of  the  pres- 
ence he  was  in,  during  the  whole  of  that  opening  scene,  in 
which  the  skill  of  the  scout  had  been  so  clearly  established. 
At  the  nicely  graduated  sounds  of  Magua's  voice,  however,  he 
betrayed  some  evidence  of  consciousness,  and  once  or  twice 
he  even  raised  his  head,  as  if  to  listen.  But  when  the  crafty 
Huron  spoke  of  his  nation  by  name,  the  eyelids  of  the  old 
man  raised  themselves,  and  he  looked  out  upon  the  multitude 
with  that  sort  of  dull  unmeaning  expression  which  might  be 
supposed  to  belong  to  the  countenance  of  a  spectre.  Then 
he  made  an  effort  to  rise,  and  being  upheld  by  his  supporters, 
he  gained  his  feet,  in  a  posture  commanding  by  its  dignity, 
while  he  tottered  with  weakness. 

"  Who  calls  upon  the  children  of  the  Lenape  ?  "  he  said, 
in  a  deep  guttural  voice,  that  was  rendered  awfully  audible  by 
the  breathless  silence  of  the  multitude  ;  "  who  speaks  of  things 
gone  ?  Does  not  the  egg  become  a  worm — the  worm  a  fly, 
and  perish  ?  Why  tell  the  Delawares  of  good  that  is  past  ? 
Better  thank  the  Manitto  for  that  which  remains." 

"  It  is  a  Wyandot,"  said  Magua,  stepping  nigher  to  the 
rude  platform  on  which  the  other  stood  ;  "  a  friend  of  Ta- 
menund." 

"  A  friend !  "  repeated  the  sage,  on  whose  brow  a  dark 
frown  settled,  imparting  a  portion  of  that  severity  which  had 
rendered  his  eye  so  terrible  in  middle  age, — "  Are  the  Min- 
goes  rulers  of  the  earth  ?  What  brings  a  Huron  here  ?  " 

"  Justice.  His  prisoners  are  with  his  brothers,  and  he 
comes  for  his  own." 

Tamenund  turned  his  head  towards  one  of  his  supporters, 
and  listened  to  the  short  explanation  the  man  gave.  Then 
facing  the  applicant,  he  regarded  him  a  moment,  with  deep 
attention  ;  after  which  he  said,  in  a  low  and  reluctant  voice, — 

"  Justice  is  the  law  of  the  great  Manitto.  My  children, 
give  the  stranger  food.  Then,  Huron,  take  thine  own  and 
depart." 

On  the  delivery  of  this  solemn  judgment,  the  patriarch 
seated  himself,  and  closed  his  eyes  again,  as  if  better  pleased 
with  the  images  of  his  own  ripened  experience  than  with  the 
visible  objects  of  the  world.  Against  such  a  decree  there 
was  no  Delaware  sufficiently  hardy  to  murmur,  much  less  op- 
pose himself.  The  words  were  barely  uttered  when  four  or 
6ve  of  the  younger  warriors  stepping  behind  Heyward  and 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICAN'S. 

the  scout,  passed  thongs  so  dexterously  and  rapidly  around 
their  arms,  as  to  hold  them  both  in  instant  bondage.  The 
former  was  too  much  engrossed  with  his  precious  and  nearly 
insensible  burden,  to  be  aware  of  their  intentions  before  they 
were  executed  ;  and  the  latter,  who  considered  even  ths  hos- 
tile tribes  of  the  Delawares  a  superior  race  of  beings,  sub- 
mitted without  resistance.  Perhaps,  however,  the  manner  of 
the  scout  would  not  have  been  so  passive,  had  he  fully  com- 
prehended the  language'in  which  the  preceding  dialogue  had 
been  conducted. 

Magua  cast  a  look  of  triumph  around  the  whole  assembly 
before  he  proceeded  to  the  execution  of  his  purpose.  Perceiv- 
ing that  the  men  were  unable  to  offer  any  resistance,  he  turned 
his  looks  on  her  he  valued  most.  Cora  met  his  gaze  with  an 
eye  so  calm  and  firm,  that  his  resolution  wavered.  Then  rec- 
ollecting his  former  artifice,  he  raised  Alice  from  the  arms 
of  the  warrior  against  whom  she  leaned,  and  beckoning  Hey- 
ward  to  follow,  he  motioned  for  the  encircling  crowd  to  open. 
But  Cora,  instead  of  obeying  the  impulse  he  had  expected, 
rushed  to  the  feet  of  the  patriarch,  and  raising  her  voice,  ex- 
claimed aloud, — 

"  Just  and  venerable  Delaware,  on  thy  wisdom  and  power 
we  lean  for  mercy  !  Be  deaf  to  yonder  artful  and  remorseless 
monster,  who  poisons  thy  ears  with  falsehoods  to  feed  his 
thirst  for  blood.  Thou  that  hast  lived  long,  and  that  hast  seen 
the  evil  of  the  world,  should  know  how  to  temper  its  calami- 
ties to  the  miserable." 

The  eyes  of  the  old  man  opened  heavily,  and  he  once 
more  looked  upwards  at  the  multitude.  As  the  piercing  tones 
of  the  supplicant  swelled  on  his  ears,  they  moved  slowly  in 
the  direction  of  her  person,  and  finally  settled  there  in  a 
steady  gaze.  Cora  had  cast  herself  to  her  knees  ;  and,  with 
hands  clenched  in  each  other  and  pressed  upon  her  bosom, 
she  remained  like  a  beauteous  and  breathing  model  of  her 
sex,  looking  up  in  his  faded,  but  majestic  countenance,  with 
a  species  of  holy  reverence.  Gradually  the  expression  of  Ta- 
menund's  features  changed,  and  losing  their  vacancy  in  admi- 
ration, they  lighted  with  a  portion  of  that  intelligence *whic~, 
a  century  before,  had  been  wont  to  communicate  his  youthful 
fire  to  the  extensive  bands  of  the  Delawares.  Rising  without 
assistance,  and  seemingly  without  an  effort,  he  demanded,  in 
a  voice  that  startled  its  auditors  by  its  firmness, — 

"  What  art  thou  ?  " 

"  A  woman.     One  of  a  hated  race,  if  thou  wilt — a  Yengee, 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  311 

But  one  who  has  never  harmed  thee,  and  who  cannot  harm 
thy  people,  if  she  would  ;  who  asks  for  succor." 

"Tell  me,  my  children,"  continued  the  patriarch,  hoarsely, 
motioning  to  those  around  him,  though  his  eyes  still  dwelt 
upon  the  kneeling  form  of  Cora,  "  where  have  the  Delawares 
camped  ? " 

"  In  the  mountains  of  the  Iroquois,  beyond  the  clear  springs 
of  the  Horican." 

"Many  parching  summers  are  come  and  gone,"  continued 
the  sage,  "  since  I  drank  of  the  waters  of  my  own  river.  The 
children  of  Minquon  *  are  the  justest  white  men ;  but  they 
were  thirsty,  and  they  took  it  to  themselves.  Do  they  follow 
us  so  far  ?  " 

"We  follow  none  ;  we  covet  nothing,"  answered  Cora 
"  Captives  against  our  wills,  have  we  been  brought  amongst 
you  •  and  we  ask  but  permission  to  depart  to  our  own  in  peace. 
Art  thou  not  Tamenund— the  father— the  judge — I  had  almost 
said,  the  prophet — of  this  people  ?  " 

"  I  am  Tamenund  of  many  days.' 

"  Tis  now  some  seven  years  that  one  of  thy  people  was 
at  the  mercy  of  a  white  chief  on  the  borders  of  this  province. 
He  claimed  to  be  of  the  blood  of  the  good  and  just  Tame- 
nund. *  Go,'  said  the  white  man,  '  for  thy  parent's  sake  thou 
art  free.'  Dost  thou  remember  the  name  of  that  English 
warrior  ? " 

"  I  remember,  that  when  a  laughing  boy,"  returned  the 
patriarch,  with  the  peculiar  recollection  of  vast  age,  "  I  stood 
upon  the  sands  of  the  sea-shore,  and  saw  a  big  canoe  with 
wings  whiter  than  the  swan's,  and  wider  than  any  eagles,  come 
from  the  rising  sun." 

"  Nay,  nay  ;  I  speak  not  of  a  time  so  very  distan^  but  of 
favor  shown  to  thy  kindred  by  one  of  mine,  within  the  memory 
of  thy  youngest  warrior." 

"  Was  it  when  the  Yengeese  and  Dutchmanne  fought  for 
the  hunting-grounds  of  the  Delawares  ?  Then  Tamenund  was 
a  chief,  and  first  laid  aside  the  bow  for  the  lightning  of  the 
pale-faces —  " 

"  Nor  yet  then,"   interrupted   Cora,  "  by  many  ages ;  I 


*  William  Penn  was  termed  Minquon  by  the  Delawares,  and,  as  he  never  used 
violence  or  injustice  in  his  dealings  with  them,  his  reputation  for  probity  passed  into 
a  proverb.  The  American  is  justly  proud  of  the  origin  of  his  nation,  which  is,  per- 
haps, unequalled  in  the  history  of  the  world  ;  but  the  Pennsylvanian  and  Jerseyman 
have  more  reason  to  value  themselves  in  their  ancestors,  than  the  natives  of  anj 
other  states,  since  no  wrong  was  done  the  original  owners  of  the  soil. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

speak  of  a  thing  of  yesterday.  Surely,  surely,  you  forget  it 
not." 

"  It  was  but  yesterday,"  rejoined  the  aged  man  with  touch- 
ing pathos,  "  that  the  children  of  the  Lenape  were  masters  of 
the  world.  The  fishes  of  the  salt  lake,  the  birds,  the  beasts, 
and  the  Mengwee  of  the  woods,  owned  them  for  Sagamores." 
'  Cora  bowed  her  head  in  disappointment,  and  for  a  bitter 
moment  struggled  with  her  chagrin.  Then  elevating  hei 
rich  features  and  beaming  eyes,  she  continued,  in  tones  scarcely 
less  penetrating  than  the  unearthly  voice  of  the  patriarch  him- 
self— 

"  Tell  me,  is  Tamenund  a  father  ?  " 

The  old  man  looked  down  upon  her  from  his  elevated 
stand,  with  a  benignant  smile  on  his  wasted  countenance,  and 
then  casting  his  eyes  slowly  over  the  whole  assemblage,  he 
answered, — 

"  Of  a  nation." 

"  For  myself  I  ask  nothing.  Like  thee  and  thine,  venera- 
ble chief,"  she  continued,  pressing  her  hands  convulsively  on 
her  heart,  and  suffering  her  head  to  droop  until  her  burning 
cheeks  were  nearly  concealed  in  the  maze  of  dark  glossy  tresses 
that  fell  in  disorder  upon  her  shoulders,  "  the  curse  of  my  an- 
cestors has  fallen  heavily  on  their  child.  But  yonder  is  one 
who  has  never  known  the  weight  of  Heaven's  displeasure 
until  now.  3he  is  the  daughter  of  an  old  and  failing  man, 
whose  days  are  near  their  close.  She  has  many,  very  many, 
to  love  her,  and  delight  in  her  ;  and  she  is  too  good,  much  too 
precious  to  become  the  victim  of  that  villain." 

"  I  know  that  the  pale-faces  are  a  proud  and  hungry  race. 
I  know  that  they  claim  not  only  to  have  the  earth,  but  that 
the  meanest  of  their  color  is  better  than  the  Sachems  of  the 
red  man.  The  dogs  and  crows  of  their  tribes,"  continued  the 
earnest  old  chieftain,  without  heeding  the  wounded  spirit  of 
his  listener,  whose  head  was  nearly  crushed  to  the  earth  in 
shame,  as  he  proceeded.  "  would  bark  and  caw  before  they 
would  take  a  woman  to  their  wigwams  whose  blood  was  not 
of  the  color  of  snow.  But  let  them  not  boast  before  the  face 
of  the  Manitto  too  loud.  They  entered  the  land  at  the  rising, 
and  may  yet  go  off  at  the  setting  sun.  I  have  often  seen  the 
locusts  strip  the  leaves  from  the  trees,  but  the  season  of  blos- 
soms has  always  come  again." 

"  It  is  so,"  said  Cora,  drawing  a  long  breath,  as  if  reviving 
from  a  trance,  raising  her  face,  and  shaking  back  her  shining 
veil,  with  a  kindling  eye,  that  contradicted  the  death-like  pale- 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

ness  of  her  countenance  ;  "  but  why — it  is  not  permitted  us  to 
inquire.  There  is  yet  one  of  thine  own  people  who  has  not 
been  brought  before  thee  ;  before  thou  lettest  the  Huron  de- 
part in  triumph,  hear  him  speak." 

Observing  Tamenund  to  look  about  him  doubtingly,  one  of 
his  companions  said, — 

"  It  is  a  snake — a  red-skin  in  the  pay  of  the  Yengeese. 
We  keep  him  for  the  torture." 

"  Let  him  come,"  returned  the  sage. 

Then  Tamenund  once  more  sank  into  his  seat,  and  a  si- 
lence so  deep  prevailed,  while  the  young  men  prepared  to  obey 
his  simple  mandate,  that  the  leaves  which  fluttered  in  the 
draught  of  the  light  morning  air,  were  distinctly  heard  rustling 
in  the  surrounding  forest. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

If  you  deny  me,  fie  upon  your  law  ! 
There  is  no  force  in  the  decrees  of  Venice : 
I  stand  for  judgment ;  answer,  shall  I  have  it  ? 

SHAKSPEARE. 

THE  silence  continued  unbroken  by  human  sounds  for 
many  anxious  minutes.  Then  the  waving  multitude  opened 
and  shut  again,  and  Uncas  stood  in  the  living  circle.  All 
those  eyes,  which  had  been  curiously  studying  the  lineaments 
of  the  sage  as  the  source  of  their  own  intelligence,  turned  on 
the  instant,  and  were  now  bent  in  secret  admiration  on  the 
erect,  agile,  and  faultless  person  of  the  captive.  But  neither 
the  presence  in  which  he  found  himself,  nor  the  exclusive  at- 
tention that  he  attracted,  in  any  manner  disturbed  the  self- 
possession  of  the  young  Mohican.  He  cast  a  deliberate  and 
observing  look  on  every  side  of  him,  meeting  the  settled  ex- 
pression of  hostility  that  lowered  in  the  visages  of  the  chiefs, 
with  the  same  calmness  as  the  curious  gaze  of  the  attentive 
children.  But  when,  last  in  his  haughty  scrutiny,  the  person 
of  Tamenund  came  under  his  glance,  his  eye  became  fixed,  as 
though  all  other  objects  were  already  forgotten.  Then  ad- 
vancing with  a  slow  and  noiseless  step  up  the  area,  he  placed 
himself  immediately  before  the  footstool  of  the  sage.  Here 
he  stood  unnoted,  though  keenly  observant  himself,  until  one 
of  the  chiefs  apprised  the  latter  of  his  presence. 


314  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

'•'  With  what  tongue  does  the  prisoner  speak  to  the  Mar> 
itto  ?  "  demanded  the  patriarch,  without  unclosing  his  eyes. 

"  Like  his  fathers,"  Uncas  replied  ;  "  with  the  tongue  of  a 
Delaware." 

At  this  sudden  and  unexpected  annunciation,  a  low,  fierce 
yell  ran  through  the  multitude,  that  might  not  inaptly  be  com- 
pared to  the  growl  of  the  lion,  as  his  choler  is  first  awakened 
— a  fearful  omen  of  the  weight  of  his  future  anger.  The 
effect  was  equally  strong  on  the  sage,  though  differently  ex- 
hibited. He  passed  a  hand  before  his  eyes,  as  if  to  exclude 
the  least  evidence  of  so  shameful  a  spectacle,  while  he  re- 
peated, in  his  low,  guttural  tones,  the  words  he  had  just 
heard. 

"  A  Delaware  !  I  have  lived  to  see  the  tribes  of  the 
Lenape  driven  from  their  council  fires,  and  scattered,  like 
broken  herds  of  deer,  among  the  hills  of  the  Iroquois  !  I 
have  seen  the  hatchets  of  a  strange  people  sweep  woods  from 
the  valleys,  that  the  winds  of  Heaven  had  spared  !  The 
beasts  that  run  on  the  mountains,  and  the  birds  that  fly  above 
the  trees,  have  I  seen  living  in  the  wigwams  of  men  ;  but 
never  before  have  I  found  a  Delaware  so  base  as  to  creep,  like 
a  poisonous  serpent,  into  the  camps  of  his  nation. 

"The  singing-birds  have  opened  their  bills,"  returned 
Uncas,  in  the  softest  notes  of  his  own  musical  voice  ;  "  and 
Tamenund  has  heard  their  song." 

The  sage  started,  and  bent  his  head  aside,  as  if  to  catch 
the  fleeting  sounds  of  some  passing  melody. 

"  Does  Tamenund  dream  !  "  he  exclaimed.  "  What  voice 
is  at  his  ear !  Have  the  winters  gone  backward  !  Will  sum- 
mer come  again  to  the  children  of  the  Lenape  ! " 

A  solemn  and  respectful  silence  succeeded  this  incoherent 
burst  from  the  lips  of  the  Delaware  prophet.  His  people 
readily  construed  his  unintelligible  language  into  one  of  those 
mysterious  conferences  he  was  believed  to  hold  so  frequently 
with  a  superior  intelligence,  and  they  awaited  the  issue  of  the 
revelation  in  awe.  After  a  patient  pause,  however,  one  of  the 
aged  men,  perceiving  that  the  sage  had  lost  the  recollection 
of  the  subject  before  them,  ventured  to  remind  him  again  of 
the  presence  of  the  prisoner. 

"  The  false  Delaware  trembles  lest  he  should  hear  the 
words  of  Tamenund,"  he  said.  "  Tis  a  hound  that  howls, 
when  the  Yengeese  show  him  a  trail." 

"  And  ye,"  returned  Uncas,  looking  sternly  around  him, 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


3IS 


"are  dogs  that  whine,  when  the  Frenchman  casts  ye  the 
offals  of  his  deer  !  " 

Twenty  knives  gleamed  in  the  air,  and  as  many  warriors 
sprang  to  their  feet,  at  this  biting,  and  perhaps  merited,  re- 
tort ;  but  a  motion  from  one  of  the  chiefs  suppressed  the  out- 
breaking of  their  tempers,  and  restored  the  appearance  of 
quiet.  The  task  might  probably  have  been  more  difficult, 
had  not  a  movement  made  by  Tamenund  indicated  that  he 
was  again  about  to  speak. 

"  Delaware  !  "  resumed  the  sage,  "  little  art  thou  worthy  of 
thy  name.  My  people  have  not  seen  a  bright  sun  in  many 
winters  ;  and  the  warrior  who  deserts  his  tribe  when  hid  in 
clouds  is  doubly  a  traitor.  The  law  of  the  Manitto  is  just.  It 
is  so ;  while  the  rivers  run  and  the  mountains  stand,  while 
the  blossoms  come  and  go  on  the  trees,  it  must  be  so.  He  is 
thine,  my  children  ;  deal  justly  by  him." 

Not  a  limb  was  moved,  nor  was  a  breath  drawn  louder  and 
longer  than  common,  until  the  closing  syllable  of  this  final 
decree  had  passed  the  lips  of  Tamenund.  Then  a  cry  of 
vengeance  burst  at  once,  as  it  might  be,  from  the  united  lips 
of  the  nation  ;  a  frightful  augury  of  their  ruthless  intentions. 
In  the  midst  of  these  prolonged  and  savage  yells,  a  chief  pro- 
claimed, in  a  high  voice,  that  the  captive  was  condemned  to 
endure  the  dreadful  trial  of  torture  by  fire.  The  circle  broke 
its  order,  and  screams  of  delight  mingled  with  the  bustle  and 
tumult  of  preparation.  Heyvvard  struggled  madly  with  his 
captors ;  the  anxious  eyes  of  Hawk-eye  began  to  look  around 
him,  with  an  expression  of  peculiar  earnestness  ;  and  Cora 
again  threw  herself  at  the  feet  of  the  patriarch,  once  more  a 
suppliant  for  mercy. 

Throughout  the  whole  of  these  trying  moments,  Uncas 
had  alone  preserved  his  serenity.  He  looked  on  the  prepa- 
rations with  a  steady  eye,  and  when  the  tormentors  came  to 
seize  him,  he  met  them  with  a  firm  and  upright  attitude.  One 
among  them,  if  possible  more  fierce  arid  savage  than  his  fel- 
lows, seized  the  hunting  shirt  of  the  young  warrior,  and  at  a 
single  effort  tore  it  from  his  body.  Then,  with  a  yell  of  frantic 
pleasure,  he  leaped  towards  his  unresisting  victim,  and  pre- 
pared to  lead  him  to  the  stake.  But  at  that  moment,  when  he 
appeared  most  a  stranger  to  the  feelings  of  humanity,  the 
purpose  of  the  savage  was  arrested  as  suddenly  as  if  a  super- 
natural agency  had  interposed  in  the  behalf  of  Uncas.  The 
eye-balls  of  the  Delaware  seemed  to  start  from  their  sockets ; 
his  mouth  opened,  and  his  whole  form  became  frozen  in  an 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICAN'S. 

attitude  of  amazement.  Raising  his  hand  with  a  slow  and 
regulated  motion,  he  pointed  with  a  finger  to  the  bosom  of 
the  captive.  His  companions  crowded  about  him  in  wonder, 
and  every  eye  was,  like  his  own,  fastened  intently  on  the 
figure  of  a  small  tortoise,  beautifully  tattooed  on  the  breast  of 
the  prisoner,  in  a  bright  blue  tint. 

For  a  single  instant  Uncas  enjoyed  his  triumph,  smiling 
calmly  on  the  scene.  Then  motioning  the  crowd  away  with  a 
high  and  haughty  sweep  of  his  arm,  he  advanced  in  front  of 
the  nation  with  the  air  of  a  king,  and  spoke  in  a  voice  louder 
than  the  murmur  of  admiration  that  ran  through  the  multi- 
tude. 

"  Men  of  the  Lenni  Lenape  ! "  he  said,  "my  race  upholds 
the  earth  !  Your  feeble  tribe  stands  on  my  she'll !  What  fire 
that  a  Delaware  can  light  would  burn  the  child  of  my  fathers," 
he  added,  pointing  proudly  to  the  simple  blazonry  on  his  skin  ; 
"  the  blood  that  came  from  such  a  stock  would  smother  your 
flames  !  My  race  is  the  grandfather  of  nations!  " 

"  Who  art  thou  ?  "  demanded  Tamenund,  rising  at  the 
startling  tones  he  heard,  more  than  at  any  meaning  conveyed 
by  the  language  of  the  prisoner. 

"  Uncas,  the  son  of  Chingacbgook,"  answered  the  captive 
modestly,  turning  from  the  nation,  and  bending  his  head  in 
reverence  to  the  other's  character  and  years  ;  "  a  son  of  the 
great  Unamis."  * 

"The  hour  of  Tamenund  is  nigh  !  "  exclaimed  the  sage  ; 
"  the  day  is  come,  &t  last,  to  the  night !  I  thank  the  Manitto, 
that  one  is  here  to  fill  my  place  at  the  council-fire.  Uncas, 
the  child  of  Uncas,  is  found  !  Let  the  eyes  of  a  dying  eagle 
gaze  on  the  rising  sun." 

The  youth  stepped  lightly,  but  proudly,  on  the  platform, 
where  he  became  visible  to  the  whole  agitated  and  wondering 
multitude.  Tamenund  held  him  long  at  the  length  of  his 
arm,  and  read  every  turn  in  the  fine  lineaments  of  his  coun- 
tenance, with  the  untiring  gaze  of  one  who  recalled  days  of 
happiness. 

"  Is  Tamenund  a  boy  ?  "  at  length  the  bewildered  prophet 
exclaimed.  "  Have  I  dreamt  of  so  many  snows — that  my 
people  were  scattered  like  floating  sands — of  Yengeese,  more 
plenty  than  the  leaves  on  the  trees  !  The  arrow  of  Tamenund 
would  not  frighten  the  fawn  ;  his  arm  is  withered  like  the 
branch  of  a  dead  oak  ;  the  snail  would  be  swifter  in  the  race  : 
yet  is  Uncas  before  him  as  they  went  to  battle  against  the 

«  Turtle. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  3x7 

pale-faces !  Uncas,  the  panther  of  his  tribe,  the  eldest  son 
of  the  Lenape,  the  wisest  Sagamore  of  the  Mohicans  1  Tell 
me,  ye  Delawares,  has  Tamenund  been  a  sleeper  for  a 
hundred  winters?" 

The  cairn  and  deep  silence  which  succeeded  these  words, 
sufficiently  announced  the  awful  reverence  with  which  his 
people  received  the  communication  of  the  patriarch.  None 
dared  to  answer,  though  all  listened  in  breathless  expectation 
of  what  might  follow.  Uncas,  however,  looking  in  his  face 
with  the  fondness  and  veneration  of  a  favored  child,  pre- 
sumed on  his  own  high  and  acknowledged  rank  to  reply. 

"  Four  warriors  of  his  race  have  lived,  and  died,"  he  said, 
"  since  the  friend  of  Tamenund  led  his  people  in  battle. 
The  blood  of  the  turtle  has  been  in  many  chiefs,  but  all  have 
gone  back  into  the  earth  from  whence  they  came  except 
Chingachgook  and  his  son." 

"  It  is  true — it  is  true,"  returned  the  sage — a  flash  of 
recollection  destroying  all  his  pleasing  fancies,  and  restoring 
him  at  once  to  a  consciousness  of  the  true  history  of  his 
nation.  "  Our  wise  men  have  often  said  that  two  warriors  of 
the  unchanged  race  were  in  the  hills  of  the  Yengeese ;  why 
have  their  seats  at  the  council  fires  of  the  Dela wares  been  so 
long  empty  ? " 

At  these  words  the  young  man  raised  his  head,  which  he 
had  still  kept  bowed  a  little  in  reverence ;  and  lifting  his 
voice  so  as  to  be  heard  by  the  multitude,  as  if  to  explain  at 
once  and  forever  the  policy  of  his  family,  he  said  aloud — 

"  Once  we  slept  where  we  could  hear  the  salt  lake  speak 
in  its  anger.  Then  we  were  rulers  and  Sagamores  over  the 
land.  But  when  a  pale-face  was  seen  on  every  brook,  we 
followed  the  deer  back  to  the  river  of  our  nation.  The  Dela- 
wares  were  gone.  Few  warriors  of  them  all  stayed  to  drink 
of  the  stream  they  loved.  Then  said  my  fathers,  *  Here  will 
we  hunt.  The  waters  of  the  rivers  go  into  the  salt  lake.  If 
we  go  towards  the  setting  sun,  we  shall  find  streams  that  run 
into  the  great  lakes  of  sweet  water ;  there  would  a  Mohi- 
can  die,  like  fishes  of  the  sea,  in  the  clear  springs.  When 
the  Manitto  is  ready,  and  shall  say,  "  Come,"  we  will  follow 
the  river  to  the  sea,  and  take  our  own  again.'  Such,  Dela- 
wares,  is^the  belief  of  the  children  of  the  Turtle.  Our  eyes  are 
on  the  rising,  and  not  towards  the  setting  sun.  We  know 
whence  he  comes,  but  we  know  not  whither  he  goes.  It  is 
enough." 

The  men  of  the  Lenape  listened  to  his  words  with  all  the 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

respect  that  superstition  could  lend,  finding  a  secret  charra 
even  in  the  figurative  language  with  which  the  young  Saga- 
more imparted  his  ideas.  Uncas  himself  watched  the  effect 
of  his  brief  explanation  with  intelligent  eyes,  and  gradually 
dropped  the  air  of  authority  he  had  assumed  as  he  perceived 
that  his  auditors  were  content.  Then  permitting  his  looks  to 
wander  over  the  silent  throng  that  crowded  around  the  ele« 
vated  seat  of  Tamenund,  he  first  perceived  Hawk-eye  in  his 
bonds.  Stepping  eagerly  from  his  stand,  he  made  way  for 
himself  to  the  side  of  his  friend ;  and  cutting  his  thongs  with 
a  quick  and  angry  stroke  of  his  own  knife,  he  motioned  to 
the  crowd  to  divide.  The  Indians  silently  obeyed,  and 
once  more  they  stood  ranged  in  their  circle,  as  before  his 
appearance  among  them.  Uncas  took  the  scout  by  the  hand, 
and  led  him  to  the  feet  of  the  patriarch. 

"  Father,"  he  said,  "  look  at  this  pale-face  ;  a  just  man 
and  the  friend  of  the  Delawares." 

"  Is  he  a  son  of  Miquon  ?  " 

"  Not  so  •  a  warrior  known  to  the  Yengeese,  and  feared 
by  the  Maquas." 

"What  name  has  he  gained  by  his  deeds?  " 

"  We  call  him  Hawk-eye,"  Uncas  replied,  using  the  Dela- 
ware phrase  ;  "  for  his  sight  never  fails.  The  Mingoes  know 
him  better  by  the  death  he  gives  their  warriors  ;  with  them  he 
is  c  The  long  rifle.'  " 

"La  longue  Carabine!"  exclaimed  Tamenund,  opening 
his  eyes,  and  regarding  the  scout  sternly.  "  My  son  has  not 
done  well  to  call  him  friend." 

"  I  call  him  so  who  proves  himself  such,"  returned  thfc 
young  chief,  with  great  calmness,  but  with  a  steady  mien. 
"  If  Uncas  is  welcome  among  the  Delawares,  then  is  Hawk* 
eye  with  his  friends." 

*'  The  pale  face  has  slain  my  young  men  ;  his  name  is 
great  for  the  blows  he  has  struck  the  Lenape." 

"If  a  Mingo  has  whispered  that  much  in  the  ear  of  the 
Delaware,  he  has  only  shown  that  he  is  a  singing-bird,"  said 
the  scout,  who  now  believed  that  it  was  time  to  vindicate 
himself  from  such  offensive  charges,  and  who  spoke  in  the 
tongue  of  the  man  he  addressed,  modifying  his  Indian  figures, 
however,  with  his  own  peculiar  notions.  "  That  I  have  slain 
the  Maquas  I  am  not  the  man  to  deny,  even  at  their  own 
council-fires  ;  but  that,  knowingly,  my  hand  has  ever  harmed 
ft  Delaware,  is  opposed  to  the  reason  of  my  gifts,  which  i<» 
friendly  to  them,  and  all  that  belongs  to  their  nation." 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

A  low  exclamation  of  applause  passed  among  the  warriors, 
who  exchanged  looks  with  each  other  like  men  that  first  began 
to  perceive  their  error. 

"  Where  is  the  Huron  ?  "  demanded  Tamenund.  "  Has 
he  stopped  my  ears  ?  " 

Magua,  whose  feelings  during  that  scene  in  which  Uncas 
had  triumphed  may  be  much  better  imagined  than  described, 
answered  to  the  call  by  stepping  boldly  in  front  of  the  pa- 
triarch. 

"  The  just  Tamenund,"  he  said,  "  will  not  keep  what  a 
Huron  has  lent." 

"  Tell  me,  son  of  my  brother,"  returned  the  sage,  avoiding 
the  dark  countenance  of  Le  Subtil,  and  turning  gladly  to  the 
more  ingenious  features  of  Uncas,  "  has  the  stranger  a  con' 
queror's  right  over  you  ?  " 

"  He  has  none.  The  panther  may  get  into  snares  set  by 
the  women  ;  but  he  is  strong,  and  knows  how  to  leap  through 
them." 

"  La  longue  Carabine  ?  " 

"  Laughs  at  the  Mingoes.  Go,  Huron,  ask  your  squawe 
the  color  of  a  bear." 

"  The  stranger  and  the  white  maiden  that  came  into  my 
camp  together  ? " 

"  Should  journey  on  an  open  path." 

"  And  the  woman  that  the  Huron  left  with  my  warriors  ?  " 

Uncas  made  no  reply. 

"  And  the  woman  that  the  Mingo  has  brought  into  my 
camp,"  repeated  Tamenund,  gravely. 

"  She  is  mine,"  cried  Magua,  shaking  his  hand  in  triumph 
at  Uncas.  "  Mohican,  you  know  that  she  is  mine." 

"  My  son  is  silent,"  said  Tamenund,  endeavoring  to  read 
the  expression  of  the  face  that  the  youth  turned  from  him  in 
sorrow. 

"  It  is  so,"  was  the  low  answer. 

A  short  and  impressive  pause  succeeded,  during  which  it 
was  very  apparent  with  what  reluctance  the  multitude  ad- 
mitted the  justice  of  the  Mingo's  claim.  At  length  the  sage, 
on  whom  alone  the  decision  depended,  said,  in  a  firm  voice, — 

"  Huron,  depart." 

"  As  he  came,  just  Tamenund,"  demanded  the  wily  Magua , 
"  or  with  hands  filled  with  the  faith  of  the  Delawares  ?  The 
wigwam  of  Le  Renard  Subtil  is  empty.  Make  him  strong 
with  his  own." 

The  aged  man  mused  with  himself  for  a  time;  and  then 


3*0 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


bending  his  head  towards  one  of  his  venerable  companion^ 
he  asked, — 

**  Are  my  ears  open  ?  " 

"  It  is  true." 

"  Is  this  Mingo  a  chief  ?  " 

"  The  first  in  his  nation." 

"  Girl,  what  wouldst  thou  ?  A  great  warrior  takes  thee  to 
wife.  Go  ;  thy  race  will  not  end." 

"  Better,  a  thousand  times,  it  should,"  exclaimed  the  horror 
struck  Cora,  "  than  meet  with  such  a  degradation !  " 

"  Huron,  her  mind  is  in  the  tents  of  her  fathers.  An  un- 
willing maiden  makes  an  unhappy  wigwam." 

"  She  speaks  with  the  tongue  of  her  people,"  returned 
Magua,  regarding  his  victim  with  a  look  of  bitter  irony.  "  She 
is  of  a  race  of  traders,  and  will  bargain  for  a  bright  look.  Let 
Tamenund  speak  the  words." 

"  Take  you  the  wampum,  and  our  love.?> 

"  Nothing  hence  but  what  Magua  brought  hither." 

"  Then  depart  with  thine  own.  The  great  Manitto  forbids 
that  a  Delaware  should  be  unjust." 

Magua  advanced,  and  seized  his  captive  strongly  by  the 
arm  ;  the  Delawares  fell  back,  in  silence  ;  and  Cora,  as  if 
conscious  that  remonstrance  would  be  useless,  prepared  to 
submit  to  her  fate  without  resistance. 

"  Hold,  hold  !  "  cried  Duncan,  springing  forward  ;  "  Hu- 
ron, have  mercy  !  her  ransom  shall  make  thee  richer  than  any 
of  thy  people  were  ever  yet  known  to  be." 

"  Magua  is  a  red-skin  ;  he  wants  not  the  beads  of  the  pale- 
feces." 

"  Gold,  silver,  powder,  lead — all  that  a  warrior  needs  shall 
6e  in  thy  wigwam ;  all  that  becomes  the  greatest  chief." 

"  Le  Subtil  is  very  strong,"  cried  Magua,  violently  shak- 
ing the  hand  which  grasped  the  unresisting  arm  of  Cora ;  "  he 
has  his  revenge  !  " 

"  Mighty  ruler  of  providence  !  "  exclaimed  Heyward,  clasp- 
ing his  hands  together  in  agony,  "can  this  be  suffered  I  To 
you,  just  Tamenund,  I  appeal  for  mercy." 

"  The  words  of  the  Delaware  are  said,"  returned  the  sage, 
closing  his  eyes,  and  dropping  back  into  his  seat,  alike  wearied 
with  his  mental  and  his  bodily  exertion.  "  Men  speak  not 
twice." 

"  That  a  chief  should  not  misspend  his  time  in  unsaying 
what  has  once  been  spoken,  is  wise  and  reasonable,"  said 
Hawk-eye,  motioning  to  Duncan  to  be  silent  ;  "  but  it  is  also 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  32 1 

prudent  in  every  warrior  to  consider  well  before  he  strikes  his 
tomahawk  into  the  head  of  his  prisoner.  Huron,  I  love  you 
not ;  nor  can  I  say  that  any  Mingo  has  ever  received  much 
favor  at  my  hands.  It  is  fair  to  conclude,  that,  if  this  war 
does  not  soon  end,  many  more  of  your  warriors  will  meet  me 
in  the  woods.  Put  it  to  your  judgment,  then,  whether  you 
would  prefer  taking  such  a  prisoner  as  that  into  your  encamp- 
ment, or  one  like  myself,  who  am  a  man  that  it  would  greatly 
rejoice  your  nation  to  see  with  naked  hands." 

"  Will  '  The  long  Rifle '  give  his  life  for  the  woman  ? " 
demanded  Magua,  hesitatingly  ;  for  he  had  already  made  a 
motion  towards  quitting  the  place  with  his  victim. 

"  No,  no  ;  I  have  not  said  so  much  as  that,"  returned 
Hawk-eye,  drawing  back  with  suitable  discretion,  when  he 
noted  the  eagerness  which  Magua  listened  to  his  proposal. 
"  It  would  be  an  unequal  exchange,  to  give  a  warrior,  in  the 
prime  of  his  age  and  usefulness,  for  the  best  woman  on  the 
frontiers.  I  might  consent  to  go  into  winter  quarters,  now—- 
at least  six  weeks  afore  the  leaves  will  turn — on  condition  you 
will  release  the  maiden." 

Magua  shook  his  head,  and  made  an  impatient  sign  for 
the  crowd  to  open. 

"  Well,  then,"  added  the  scout,  with  the  musing  air  of  a 
man  who  had  not  half  made  up  his  mind,  "  I  will  throw  *  Kill- 
deer  '  into  the  bargain.  Take  the  word  of  an  experienced 
hunter,  the  piece  has  not  its  equal  atween  the  provinces." 

Magua  still  disdained  to  reply,  continuing  his  efforts  to 
disperse  the  crowd. 

"  Perhaps,"  added  the  scout,  losing  his  dissembled  cool' 
ness,  exactly  in  proportion  as  the  other  manifested  an  indiff- 
erence to  the  exchange,  "  if  I  should  condition  to  teach  your 
young  men  the  real  virtue  of  the  we'pon,  it  would  smooth  the 
little  differences  in  our  judgments." 

Le  Renard  fiercely  ordered  the  Delawares,  who  still  lingered 
in  an  impenetrable  belt  around  him,  in  hopes  he  would  listen 
to  the  amicable  proposal,  to  open  his  path,  threatening,  by 
the  glance  of  his  eye,  another  appeal  to  the  infallible  justice 
of  their  "  prophet." 

"  What  is  ordered  must  sooner  or  later  arrive,"  continued 
Hawk  eye,  turning  with  a  sad  and  humbled  look  to  Uncas. 
"  The  varlet  knows  his  advantage,  and  will  keep  it  1  God 
bless  you,  boy ;  you  have  found  friends  among  your  natural 
kin,  and  I  hope  they  will  prove  as  true  as  some  you  have  met 
who  had  no  Indian  cross.  As  for  me,  sooner  or  later,  I  must 


322  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

die ;  it  is  therefore  fortunate  there  are  but  few  to  make  my 
death-howl.  After  all,  it  is  likely  the  imps  would  have 
managed  to  master  my  scalp,  so  a  day  or  two  will  make  no 
great  difference  in  the  everlasting  reckoning  of  time.  God 
bless  you,"  added  the  rugged  woodsman,  bending  his  head 
aside,  and  then  instantly  changing  its  direction  again,  with  a 
wistful  look  towards  the  youth  ;  "  I  loved  both  you  and  your 
father,  Uncas,  though  our  skins  are  not  altogether  of  a  color, 
and  our  gifts  are  somewhat  different.  Tell  the  Sagamore  I 
never  lost  sight  of  him  in  my  greatest  trouble ;  and,  as  for 
you,  think  of  me  sometimes  when  on  a  lucky  trail  ;  and  depend 
on  it,  boy,  whether  there  be  one  heaven  or  two,  there  is  a  path 
in  the  other  world  by  which  honest  men  may  come  together 
again.  You'll  find  the  rifle  in  the  place  where  we  hid  it  ; 
take  it,  and  keep  it  for  my  sake ;  and  harkee,  lad,  as  your 
natural  gifts  don't  deny  you  the  use  of  vengeance,  use  it  a 
little  freely  on  the  Mingoes  ;  it  may  unburden  grief  at  my 
loss,  and  ease  your  mind.  Huron,  I  accept  your  offer  ;  release 
the  woman.  I  am  your  prisoner." 

A  suppressed,  but  still  distinct  murmur  of  approbation,  lan 
through  the  crowd  at  this  generous  proposition  ;  even  the 
fiercest  among  the  Delaware  warriors  manifesting  pleasure  at 
the  manliness  of  the  intended  sacrifice.  Magua  paused,  and 
for  an  anxious  moment,  it  might  be  said,  he  doubted  ;  then 
casting  his  eyes  on  Cora,  with  an  expression  in  which  ferocity 
and  admiration  were  strangely  mingled,  his  purpose  became 
fixed  forever. 

He  intimated  his  contempt  of  the  offer  with  a  backward 
motion  of  his  head,  and  said,  in  a  steady  and  settled  voice- — 

"  Le  Renard  Subtil  is  a  great  chief  ;  he  has  but  one  mind. 
Come,"  he  added,  laying  his  hand  too  familiarly  on  the 
shoulder  of  his  captive  to  urge  her  onward  ;  "  a  Huron  is  no 
tattler;  we  will  go." 

The  maiden  drew  back  in  lofty  womanly  reserve,  and  her 
dark  eye  kindled,  while  the  rich  blood  shot,  like  the  passing 
brightness  of  the  sun,  into  her  very  temples,  at  the  indignity. 

"  I  am  your  prisoner,  and  at  a  fitting  time  shall  be  ready 
to  follow,  even  to  my  death.  But  violence  is  unnecessary," 
she  coldly  said  ;  and  immediately  turning  to  Hawk-eye,  added, 
"  Generous  hunter,  from  my  soul  I  thank  you.  Your  offer  is 
vain,  neither  could  it  be  accepted  ;  but  still  you  may  serve  me, 
even  more  than  in  your  own  noble  intention.  Look  at  that 
drooping,  humbled  child  !  Abandon  her  not  until  you  leave 
her  in  the  habitations  of  civilized  men.  I  will  not  say,'1 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  ,     323 

wringing  the  hard  hand  of  the  scout,  "  that  her  father  wil* 
reward  you — for  such  as  you  are  above  the  rewards  of  men— 
but  he  will  thank  you  and  bless  you.  And,  believe  me,  th* 
blessing  of  a  just  and  aged  man  has  virtue  in  the  sight  ol 
Heaven.  Would  to  God,  I  could  hear  one  from  his  lips  al 
this  awful  moment !  "  Her  voice  became  choked,  and,  for  an 
instant,  she  was  silent  ;  then  advancing  a  step  nigher  to 
Duncan,  who  was  supporting  her  unconscious  sister,  she 
continued,  in  more  subdued  tones,  but  in  which  feeling  and 
the  habits  of  her  sex  maintained  a  fearful  struggle, — "  I  need 
not  tell  you  to  cherish  the  treasure  you  will  possess.  You 
love  her  Heyward  ;  that  would  conceal  a  thousand  faults, 
though  she  had  them.  She  is  kind,  gentle,  sweet,  good,  as 
mortal  may  be.  There  is  not  a  blemish  in  mind  or  person  at 
which  the  proudest  of  you  all  would  sicken.  She  is  fair — Oh  ! 
how  surpassingly  fair,"  laying  her  own  beautiful,  but  less 
brilliant  hand,  in  melancholy  affection  on  the  alabaster  fore- 
head of  Alice,  and  parting  the  golden  hair  which  clustered 
about  her  brows  ;  "  and  yet  her  soul  is  pure  and  spotless  as 
her  skin.  I  could  say  much — more  perhaps  than  cooler  reason 
would,  approve;  but  I  will  spare  you  and  myself — "  Her 
voice  became  inaudible,  and  her  face  was  bent  over  the  form 
of  her  sister.  After  a  long  and  burning  kiss,  she  arose,  and 
with  features  of  the  hue  of  death,  but  without  even  a  tear  in 
her  feverish  eye,  she  turned  away,  and  added,  to  the  savage, 
with  all  her  former  elevation  of  manner, — "Now,  sir.  if  it  be 
your  pleasure,  I  will  follow." 

"  Ay,  go,"  cried  Duncan,  placing  Alice  in  the  arms  of  an 
Indian  girl  ;  "  go,  Magua,  go.  These  Delawares  have  their 
laws,  which  forbid  them  to  detain  you  ;  but  I — I  have  no 
such  obligation.  Go,  malignant  monster — why  do  you  de- 
lay ?  " 

It  would  be  difficult  to  describe  the  expression  with  which 
Magua  listened  to  this  threat  to  follow.  There  was  at  first  a 
fierce  and  manifest  display  of  joy,  and  then  it  was  instantly 
subdued  in  a  look  of  cunning  coldness. 

"The  woods  are  open,"  he  was  content  with  answering. 
*'  The  Open  Hand  '  can  come." 

"Hold,"  cried  Hawk-eye,  seizing  Duncan  by  the  arm, 
and  detaining  him  by  violence  ;  "  you  know  not  the  craft  of 
the  imp.  He  would  lead  you  to  an  ambushment  and  your 
death—" 

"  Huron,"  interrupted  Uncas,  who,  submissive  to  the  scern 
customs  of  his  people,  had  been  an  attentive  and  grave  lis- 


24  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

tener  to  all  that  passed  ;  "  Huron,  the  justice  of  the  Delawares 
comes  from  the  Manitto.  Look  at  the  sun.  He  is  now  in 
the  upper  branches  of  the  hemlock.  Your  path  is  short  and 
open.  When  he  is  seen  above  the  trees,  there  will  be  men 
on  your  trail." 

"  I  hear  a  crow,"  exclaimed  Magua,  with  a  taunting  laugh. 
"  Go,"  he  added,  shaking  his  hand  at  the  crowd,  which  had 
slowly  opened  to  admit  his  passage.  "  Where  are  the  petti- 
coats of  the  Delawares  ?  Let  them  send  their  arrows  and 
their  guns  to  the  Wyandots ;  they  shall  have  venison  to  eat, 
and  corn  to  hoe.  Dogs,  rabbits,  thieves — I  spit  on  you." 

His  parting  gibes  were  listened  to  in  a  dead,  boding 
silence,  and,  with  these  biting  words  in  his  mouth,  the  trium- 
phant Magua  passed  unmolested  into  the  forest  followed  by 
his  passive  captive,  and  protected  by  the  inviolable  laws  of 
Indian  hospitality. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

Flue.    Kill  the  poys  and  the  luggage  !    'Tis  expressly  against  the  law  of  arms, 
tis  as  arrant  a  piece  of  knavery,  mark  you  now,  as  can  be  offered  in  the  'orld. 

KING  HENRY  V. 

So  long  as  their  enemy  and  his  victim  continued  in  sight, 
the  multitude  remained  motionless  as  beings  charmed  to  the 
place  by  some  power  that  was  friendly  to  the  Hurons ;  but 
the  instant  he  disappeared,  it  became  tossed  and  agitated  by 
fierce  and  powerful  passion.  Uncas  maintained  his  elevated 
stand,  keeping  his  eyes  on  Cora,  until  the  colors  of  her  dress 
were  blended  with  the  foliage  of  the  forest ;  when  he  descended, 
and  moving  silently  through  the  throng,  he  disappeared  in 
that  lodge  from  which  he  had  so  recently  issued.  A  few  of 
the  graver  and  more  attentive  warriors,  who  caught  the  gleams 
of  anger  that  shot  from  the  eyes  of  the  young  chief  in  passing, 
followed  him  to  the  place  he  had  selected  for  his  meditations. 
After  which,  Tamenund  and  Alice  were  removed,  and  the 
women  and  children  were  ordered  to  disperse.  During  the 
momentous  hour  that  succeeded,  the  encampment  resembled 
a  hive  of  troubled  bees,  who  only  awaited  the  appearance  and 
example  of  their  leader  to  take  some  distant  and  momentous 
flight. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


325 


A  young  warrior  at  length  issued  from  the  lodge  of  Uncas  ; 
and  moving  deliberately,  with  a  sort  of  grave  march,  towards 
'a  dwarf  pine  that  grew  in  the  crevices  of  the  rocky  terrace,  he 
tore  the  bark  from  its  body,  and  then  returned  whence  he 
came  without  speaking.  He  was  soon  followed  by  another, 
who  stripped  the  sapling  of  its  branches,  leaving  it  a  naked 
and  blazed5*  trunk.  A  third  colored  the  post  with  stripes  of 
a  dark  red  paint ;  all  which  indications  of  a  hostile  design  in 
the  leaders  of  the  nation  were  received  by  the  men  without  in 
a  gloomy  and  omnious  silence.  Finally,  the  Mohican  him- 
self reappeared,  divested  of  all  his  attire  except  his  girdle  and 
leggings,  and  with  one-half  of  his  fine  features  hid  under  a 
cloud  of  threatening  black. 

Uncas  moved  with  a  slow  and  dignified  tread  towards  the 
post,  which  he  immediately  commenced  encircling  with  a 
measured  step,  not  unlike  an  ancient  dance,  raising  his  voice, 
at  the  same  time,  in  the  wild  and  irregular  chant  of  his  war- 
song.  The  notes  were  in  the  extremes  of  human  sounds ; 
being  sometimes  melancholy  and  exquisitely  plaintive,  even 
rivalling  the  melody  of  birds — and  then,  by  sudden  and  start- 
ling transitions,  causing  the  auditors  to  tremble  by  their  depth 
and  energy.  The  words  were  few  and  often  repeated,  pro- 
ceeding gradually  from  a  sort  of  invocation,  or  hymn  to  the 
Deity,  to  an  intimation  of  the  warrior's  objects,  and  terminating 
as  they  commenced  with  an  acknowledgment  of  his  own  de- 
pendence on  the  Great  Spirit.  If  it  were  possible  to  translate 
the  comprehensive  and  melodious  language  in  which  he 
spoke,  the  ode  might  read  something  like  the  following  : — 

"  Manitto  !  Manitto  !  Manitto  ! 
Thou  art  great,  thou  art  good,  thou  art  wise 
Manitto  !   Manitto ! 
Thou  art  just. 

"  In  the  heavens,  in  the  clouds,  oh  !   I  see 
Many  spots — many  dark,  many  red : 
In  the  heavens,  oh  I  I  see 
Many  clouds. 

*•  In  the  woods,  in  the  air,  oh  I  I  hear 
The  whoop,  the  long  yell,  and  the  cry : 
In  the  woods,  ah  !  I  hear 
The  loud  whoop. 

*  A  tree  which  has  been  partially  or  entirely  stripped  of  its  bark  is  said  in  the 
i^n^uage  of  the  country,  to  be  "blazed."  The  term  is  strictly  English  •  for  a 
horse  is  said  to  be  blazed  when  it  has  a  white  mark. 


326  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

"  Manitto  !  Manitto!  Manitto! 
I  am  weak — thou  art  strong ;  I  am  slow— 
Manitto  !  Manitto ' 
Give  me  aid." 

At  the  end  of  what  might  be  called  each  verse,  he  made  a 
pause,  by  raising  a  note  loude-r  and  longer  than  common,  that 
was  peculiarly  suited  to  the  sentiment  just  expressed.  The 
first  close  was  solemn,  and  intended  to  convey  the  idea  of 
veneration  ;  the  second  descriptive,  bordering  on  the  alarm- 
ing ;  and  the  third  was  the  well-known  and  terrific  war-whoop, 
which  burst  from  the  lips  of  the  young  warrior,  like  a  combi- 
nation of  all  the  frightful  sounds  of  battle.  The  last  was  like 
the  first,  humble  and  imploring.  Three  times  did  he  repeat 
this  song,  and  as  often  did  he  encircle  the  post  in  his  dance. 

At  the  close  of  the  first  turn,  a  grave  and  highly  esteemed 
chief  of  the  Lenape  followed  his  example,  singing  words  of 
his  own,  however,  to  music  of  a  similar  character.  Warrior 
after  warrior  enlisted  in  the  dance,  until  all  of  any  renown 
and  authority  were  numbered  in  its  mazes.  The  spectacle 
now  became  wildly  terrific  ;  the  fierce-looking  and  menacing 
visages  of  the  chiefs  receiving  additional  power  from  the  ap- 
palling strains  in  which  they  mingled  their  guttural  tones. 
Just  then  Uncas  struck  his  tomahawk  deep  into  the  post,  and 
raised  his  voice  in  a  shout,  which  might  be  termed  his  own 
battle-cry.  The  act  announced  that  he  had  assumed  the  chief 
authority  in  the  intended  expedition. 

It  was  a  signal  that  awakened  all  the  slumbering  passions 
of  the  nation.  A  hundred  youths,  who  had  hitherto  been  re- 
strained by  the  diffidence  of  their  years,  rushed  in  a  frantic 
body  on  the  fancied  emblem  of  their  enemy,  and  severed  it 
asunder,  splinter  by  splinter,  until  nothing  remained  of  the 
trunk  but  its  roots  in  the  earth.  During  this  moment  of  tumult, 
the  most  ruthless  deeds  of  war  were  performed  on  the  frag- 
ments of  the  tree,  with  as  much  apparent  ferocity  as  if  they 
were  the  living  victims  of  their  cruelty.  Some  were  scalped'; 
some  received  the  keen  and  trembling  axe  ;  and  others  suf- 
fered by  thrusts  from  the  fatal  knife.  In  short,  the  manifesta- 
tions of  zeal  and  fierce  delight  were  so  great  and  unequivocal, 
that  the  expedition  was  declared  to  be  a  war  of  the  nation. 

The  instant  Uncas  had  struck  the  blow,  he  moved  out  of 
the  circle,  and  cast  his  eyes  up  to  the  sun,  which  was  just 
gaining  the  point,  when  the  truce  with  Magua  was  to  end. 
The  fact  was  soon  announced  by  a  significant  gesture,  accom- 
panied by  a  corresponding  cry  ;  and  the  whole  of  the  excited 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS- 


327 


multitude  abandoned  their  mimic  warfare,  with  shrill  yells  of 
pleasure,  to  prepare  for  the  more  hazardous  experiment  of 
die  reality. 

The  whole  face  of  the  encampment  was  instantly  changed. 
The  warriors,  who  were  already  armed  and  painted,  became 
as  still  as  if  they  were  incapable  of  any  uncommon  burst  of 
emotion.  On  the  other  hand,  the  women  broke  out  of  the 
lodges,  with  the  songs  of  joy  and  those  of  lamentation  so 
Strangely  mingled,  that  it  might  have  been  difficult  to  have  said 
which  passion  preponderated.  None,  however,  were  idle. 

Some  bore  their  choicest  articles,  others  their  young,  and 
some  their  aged  and  infirm,  into  the  forest,  which  spread  itself 
like  a  verdant  carpet  of  bright  green  against  the  side  of  the 
mountain.  Thither  Tamenund  also  retired,  with  calm  com- 
posure,  after  a  short  and  touching  interview  with  Uncas  ;  from 
whom  the  sage  separated  with  the  reluctance  that  a  parent 
would  quit  a  long  lost  and  just  recovered  chitd.  In  the  mean 
time,  Duncan  saw  Alice  to  a  place  of  safety,  and  then  sought 
the  scout,  with  a  countenance  that  denoted  how  eagerly  ha 
also  panted  for  the  approaching  contest. 

But  Hawk-eye  was  too  much  accustomed  to  the  war-song 
and  the  enlistments  of  the  natives,  to  betray  any  interest  in 
the  passing  scene.  He  merely  cast  an  occasional  look  at  the 
number  and  quality  of  the  warriors,  who,  from  time  to  time, 
signified  their  readiness  to  accompany  Uncas  to  the  field.  In 
this  particular  he  was  soon  satisfied  ;  for,  as  has  been  already 
seen,  the  power  of  the  young  chief  quickly  embraced  every  fight- 
ing man  in  the  nation.  After  this  material  point  was  so  satis- 
factorily decided,  he  despatched  an  Indian  boy  in  quest  of 
"  Kill-deer  "  and  the  rifle  of  Uncas,  to  the  place  where  they  had 
deposited  the  weapons  on  approaching  the  camp  of  the  Dela- 
wares  ;  a  measure  of  double  policy,  inasmuch  as  it  protected 
the  arms  from  their  own  fate,  if  detained  as  prisoners,  and 
gave  them  the  advantage  of  appearing  among  the  strangers 
rather  as  sufferers  than  as  men  provided  with  the  means  of 
defence  and  subsistence.  In  selecting  another  to  perform 
the  office  of  reclaiming  his  highly-prized  rifle,  the  scout  had 
lost  sight  of  none  of  his  habitual  caution.  He  knew  that 
Magua  had  not  come  unattended,  and  he  also  knew  that  Huron 
spies  watched  the  movements  of  their  new  enemies,  along  the 
whole  boundary  of  the  woods.  It  would,  therefore,  have  been 
fatal  to  himself  to  have  attempted  the  experiment ;  a  warrior 
would  have  fared  no  better;  but  the  danger  of  a  boy  would 
not  be  likely  to  commence  until  after  his  object  was  discov- 


32 S  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

ered.  When  Heyward  joined  him,  the  scout  was  coolly  await* 
ing  the  result  of  this  experiment. 

The  boy,  who  had  been  well  instructed,  and  was  sufn> 
ciently  crafty,  proceeded,  with  a  bosom  that  was  swelling  with 
the  pride  of  such  a  confidence,  and  all  the  hopes  of  young 
ambition,  carelessly  across  the  clearing  to  the  wood,  which  he 
entered  at  a  point  at  some  little  distance  from  the  place  where 
the  guns  were  secreted.  The  instant,  however,  he  was  con- 
cealed by  the  foliage  of  the  bushes,  his  dusky  form  was  to  be 
seen  gliding,  like  that  of  a  serpent,  towards  the  desired  treasure. 
He  was  successful ;  and  in  another  moment  he  appeared  flying 
across  the  narrow  opening  that  skirted  the  base  of  the  terrace 
on  which  the  village  stood,  with  the  velocity  of  an  arrow,  and 
bearing  a  prize  in  each  hand.  He  had  actually  gained  the 
crags,  and  was  leaping  up  their  sides  with  incredible  activity, 
when  a  shot  from  the  woods  showed  how  accurate  had  been 
the  judgment  of  the  scout.  The  boy  answered  it  with  a  feeble 
but  contemptuous  shout ;  and  immediately  a  second  bullet  was 
sent  after  him  from  another  part  of  the  cover.  At  the  next 
instant  he  appeared  on  the  level  above,  elevating  his  guns  in 
triumph  while  he  moVed  with  the  air  of  a  conqueror  towards 
the  renowned  hunter  who  had  honored  him  by  so  glorious  a 
commission. 

Notwithstanding  the  lively  interest  Hawk-eye  had  taken 
in  the  fate  of  his  messenger,  he  received  "  Kill-deer  "  with  a 
satisfaction  that,  momentarily,  drove  all  other  recollections 
from  his  mind.  After  examining  the  piece  with  an  intelligent 
eye,  and  opening  and  shutting  the  pan  some  ten  or  fifteen 
times,  and  trying  sundry  other  equally  important  experiments 
on  the  lock,  he  turned  to  the  boy,  and  demanded  with  great 
manifestations  of  kindness,  if  he  was  hurt.  The  urchin 
looked  proudly  up  in  his  face,  but  made  no  reply. 

"  Ah  !  I  see,  lad,  the  knaves  have  barked  your  arm  1 " 
added  the  scout,  taking  up  the  limb  of  the  patient  sufferer, 
across  which  a  deep  flesh  wound  had  been  made  by  one  of 
the  bullets  ;  "  but  a  little  bruised  alder  will  act  like  a  charm,, 
In  the  mean  time  I  will  wrap  it  in  a  badge  of  wampum.  You 
have  commenced  the  business  of  a  warrior  early,  my  brave 
boy,  and  are  likely  to  bear  a  plenty  of  honorable  scars  to  your 
grave.  I  know  many  young  men  that  have  taken  scalps  who 
cannot  show  such  a  mark  as  this.  Go,"  having  bound  up  the 
arm  ;  "  you  will  be  a  chief !  " 

The  lad  departed,  prouder  of  his  flowing  blood  than  the 
vainest  courtier  could  be  of  his  blushing  ribbon  ;  and  stalked 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  329 

among  the  fellows  of  his  age,  an  object  of  general  admiration 
and  envy. 

But  in  a  moment  of  so  many  serious  and  important  duties, 
this  single  act  of  juvenile  fortitude  did  not  attract  the  general 
notice  and  commendation  it  would  have  received  under  milder 
auspices.  It  had,  however,  served  to  apprise  the  Delawares 
of  the  position  and  the  intentions  of  their  enemies.  Ac- 
cordingly a  party  of  adventurers,  better  suited  to  the  task 
than  the  weak  though  spirited  boy,  was  ordered  to  dislodge 
the  skulkers.  The  duty  was  soon  performed  ;  for  most  of 
the  Hurons  retired  of  themselves  when  they  found  they  had 
been  discovered.  The  Delawares  followed  to  a  sufficient  dis- 
tance from  their  own  encampment,  and  then  halted  for  orders, 
apprehensive  of  being  led  into  an  ambush.  As  both  parties 
secreted  themselves,  the  woods  were  again  as  still  and  quiet 
as  a  mild  summer  morning  and  deep  solitude  could  render 
them. 

The  calm  but  still  impatient  Uncas  now  collected  his 
chiefs,  and  divided  his  power.  He  presented  Hawk-eye  as 
a  warrior,  often  tried,  and  always  found  deserving  of  confi- 
dence. When  he  found  his  friend  met  with  a  favorable  recep- 
tion, he  bestowed  on  him  the  command  of  twenty  men,  like 
himself,  active,  skilful,  and  resolute.  He  gave  the  Delawares 
to  understand  the  rank  of  Heyward  among  the  troops  of  the 
Yengeese,  and  then  tendered  to  him  a  trust  of  equal  author- 
ity. But  Duncan  declined  the  charge,  professing  his  readi- 
ness to  serve  as  a  volunteer  by  the  side  of  the  scout.  After 
this  disposition,  the  young  Mohican  appointed  various  native 
chiefs  to  fill  the  different  situations  of  responsibility,  and  the 
time  pressing,  he  gave  forth  the  word  to  march.  He  was 
cheerfully,  but  silently,  obeyed  by  more  than  two  hundred 
men. 

Their  entrance  into  the  forest  was  perfectly  unmolested  ; 
nor  did  they  encounter  any  living  objects,  that  could  either 
give  the  alarm,  or  furnish  the  intelligence  they  needed,  until 
they  came  upon  the  lairs  of  their  own  scouts.  Here  a  halt 
was  ordered,  and  the  chiefs  were  assembled  to  hold  a  "  whisper- 
ing council."  At  this  meeting  divers  plans  of  operation 
were  suggested,  though  none  of  a  character  to  meet  the 
wishes  of  their  ardent  leader.  Had  Uncas  followed  the 
prompting  of  his  own  inclinations,  he  would  have  led  his 
followers  to  the  charge  without  a  moment's  delay,  and  put 
the  conflict  to  the  hazard  of  an  instant  issue ;  but  such  a 
course  would  have  been  in  opposition  to  all  the  received 


330 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


practices  and  opinions  of  his  countrymen.  He  was>  there* 
fore,  fain  to  adopt  a  caution  that  in  the  present  temper  of  his 
mind  he  execrated,  and  to  listen  to  advice  at  which  his  fiery 
spirit  chafed,  under  the  vivid  recollection  of  Cora's  danger 
and  Magua's  insolence. 

After  an  unsatisfactory  conference  of  many  minutes,  a 
solitary  individual  was  seen  advancing  from  the  side  of  the 
enemy,  with  such  apparent  haste,  as  to  induce  the  belief  he 
might  be  a  messenger  charged  with  pacific  overtures.  Wheo 
within  a  hundred  yards,  however,  of  the  cover  behind  which 
the  Delaware  council  had  assembled,  the  stranger  hesitated, 
appeared  uncertain  what  course  to  take,  and  finally  halted. 
All  eyes  were  now  turned  on  Uncas,  as  if  seeking  directions 
how  to  proceed. 

"  Hawk-eye,"  said  the  young  chief,  in  a  low  voice,  "  he 
must  never  speak  to  the  Hurons  again." 

"His  time  has  come,"  said  the  laconic  scout,  thrusting  the 
long  barrel  of  his  rifle  through  the  leaves,  and  taking  his  de- 
liberate and  fatal  aim.  But,  instead  of  pulling  the  trigger,  he 
lowered  the  muzzle  again,  and  indulged  himself  in  a  fit  of  his 
peculiar  mirth.  "  I  took  the  imp  for  a  Mingo,  as  I'm  a  mis- 
erable sinner !  "  he  said  ;  "  but  when  my  eye  ranged  along 
his  ribs  for  a  place  to  get  the  bullet  in — would  you  think  it, 
Uncas — I  saw  the  musicianer's  blower !  and  so,  after  all,  it 
is  the  man  they  call  Gamut,  whose  death  can  profit  no  one, 
and  whose  life,  if  his  tongue  can  do  anything  but  sing,  may 
be  made  serviceable  to  our  own  ends.  If  sounds  have  not 
tost  their  virtue,  I'll  soon  have  a  discourse  with  the  honest 
fellow,  and  th&t  in  a  voice  he'll  find  more  agreeable  than  the 
speech  of  *  Kill-cleer.'  " 

So  saying,  Hawk-eye  laid  aside  his  rifle  ;  and  crawling 
through  the  bushes  until  within  hearing  of  David,  he  at- 
tempted to  repeat  the  musical  effort,  which  had  conducted 
himself  with  so  much  safety  and  eclat  through  the  Huron 
encampment.  The  exquisite  organs  of  Gamut  could  not 
readily  be  deceived  (and  to  say  the  truth,  it  would  have  been 
difficult  for  any  other  than  Hawk-eye  to  produce  a  similat 
noise),  and  consequently,  having  once  before  heard  the 
sounds,  he  now  knew  whence  they  proceeded.  The  poor 
fellow  appeared  relieved  from  a  state  of  embarrassment;  for 
pursuing  the  direction  of  the  voice — a  task  that  to  him  was 
not  much  less  arduous  than  it  would  have  been  to  have  gone 
up  in  the  face  of  a  battery — he  soon  discovered  the  hidden 
songster 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  33! 

"  I  wonder  what  the  Hurons  will  think  of  that ! "  said  the 
scout,  laughing,  as  he  took  his  companion  by  the  arm,  and 
urged  him  towards  the  rear.  "  If  the  knaves  lie  within  ear- 
shot, they  will  say  there  are  two  non-compossers  instead  ot 
one !  But  here  we  are  safe,"  he  added,  pointing  to  Uncas 
&nd  his  associates.  "  Now  give  us  the  history  of  the  Mingo 
inventions  in  natural  English,  and  without  any  ups  and  dowcs 
of  voice." 

David  gazed  about  him,  at  the  fierce  and  wild-looking 
chiefs,  in  mute  wonder ;  but  assured  by  the  presence  of  faces 
that  he  knew,  he  soon  rallied  his  faculties  so  far  as  to  make 
an  intelligent  reply. 

"  The  heathen  are  abroad  in  goodly  numbers,"  said 
David  ;  "  and,  I  fear,  with  evil  intent.  There  has  been  much 
howling  and  ungodly  revelry,  together  with  such  sounds  as  it 
is  profanity  to  utter,  in  their  habitations  within  the  past  hour  ; 
so  much  so,  in  truth,  that  I  have  fled  to  the  Delawares  in 
search  of  peace." 

"  Your  ears  might  not  have  profited  much  by  the  exchange, 
had  you  been  quicker  of  foot,"  returned  the  scout  a  little 
drily.  "  But  let  that  be  as  it  may  ;  where  are  the  Hurons  ?  " 

"  They  lie  hid  in  the  forest,  between  this  spot  and  their 
village,  in  such  force,  that  prudence  would  teach  you  instantly 
to  return." 

Uncas  cast  a  glance  along  the  range  of  trees  which  con- 
cealed  his  own  band  and  mentioned  the  name  of, — 

"  Magua  ? " 

"  Is  among  them.  He  brought  in  the  maiden  that  had  so- 
journed with  the  Delawares,  and  leaving  her  in  the  cave,  has 
put  himself,  like  a  raging  wolf,  at  the  head  of  his  savages.  I 
know  not  what  has  troubled  his  spirit  so  greatly  ! " 

"  He  has  left  her,  you  say,  in  the  cave  !  "  interrupted 
Heyward  ;  "  tis  well  that  we  know  its  situation  1  May  not 
something  be  done  for  her  instant  relief  ? " 

Uncas  looked  earnestly  at  the  scout,  before  he  asked, — 

"What  says  Hawk-eye?" 

"  Give  me  my  twenty  rifles,  and  I  will  turn  to  the  right, 
along  the  stream  ;  and  passing  by  the  huts  of  the  beaver,  will 
join  the  Sagamore  and  the  colonel.  You  shall  then  hear  the 
whoop  from  that  quarter  ;  with  this  wind  one  may  easily  send 
it  a  mile-  Then,  Uncas,  do  you  drive  in  their  fron' ;  when 
they  come  within  range  of  our  pieces,  we  will  give  them  a 
blow  that,  I  pledge  the  good  name  of  an  old  frontiersman, 
snail  make  their  line  bend  like  an  ashen  bow.  After  which, 


332  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

4P 

we  will  carry  their  village,  and  take  the  women  from  the  cave  \ 
when  the  affair  may  be  finished  with  the  tribe,  according  to  a 
white  man's  battle,  by  a  blow  and  a  victory  ;  or  in  the  Indian 
fashion,  with  dodge  and  cover.  There  may  be  no  great  learn- 
ing, major,  in  this  plan,  but  with  courage  and  patience  it  can 
all  be  done." 

"  I  like  it  much,"  cried  Duncan,  who  saw  that  the  release 
of  Cora  was  the  primary  object  in  the  mind  of  the  scout ;  "  I 
like  it  much.  Let  it  be  instantly  attempted." 

After  a  short  conference,  the  plan  was  matured,  and  ren- 
dered more  intelligible  to  the  several  parties;  the  different 
signals  were  appointed,  and  the  chiefs  separated,  each  to  his 
allotted  station. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

But  plagues  shall  spread,  and  funeral  fires  Increase, 
Till  the  great  king,  without  a  ransom  paid, 
To  her  own  Chrysa  send  the  black-eyed  maid. 

POPE. 

DURING  the  time  Uncas  was  making  this  disposition  of 
his  forces,  the  woods  were  as  still,  and,  with  the  exception  of 
those  who  had  met  in  council,  apparently  as  much  unten- 
anted,  as  when  they  came  fresh  from  the  hands  of  their 
Almighty  Creator.  The  eye  could  range,  in  every  direction, 
through  the  long  and  shadowed  vistas  of  the  trees  ;  but 
nowhere  was  any  object  to  be  seen  that  did  not  properly  be- 
long to  the  peaceful  and  slumbering  scenery.  Here  and 
there  a  bird  was  heard  fluttering  among  the  branches  of  the 
beeches,  and  occasionally  a  squirrel  dropped  a  nut,  drawing 
the  startled  looks  of  the  party,  for  a  moment,  to  the  place  ; 
but  the  instant  the  casual  interruption  ceased,  the  passing  air 
was  heard  murmuring  above  their  heads,  along  that  verdant 
and  undulating  surface  of  forest,  which  spread  itself  unbroken, 
unless  by  stream  or  lake,  over  such  a  vast  region  of  country. 
Across  the  track  of  wilderness,  which  lay  between  the 
Delawares  and  the  village  of  their  enemies,  it  seemed  as  if 
the  foot  of  man  had  never  trodden,  so  breathing  and  deep 
was  the  silence  in  which  it  lay.  But  Hawk-eye,  whose  duty  led 
him  foremost  in  the  adventure,  knew  the  character  of  those  \vitl» 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  333 

whom  he  was  about  to  contend  too  well  to  trust  the  treacher- 
ous quiet. 

When  he  saw  his  little  band  collected,  the  scout  threw 
"  Kill-deer  "  into  the  hollow  of  his  arm,  and  making  a  silent 
signal  that  he  would  be  followed,  he  led  them  many  rods 
towards  the  rear,  into  the  bed  of  a  little  brook  which  they 
had  crossed  in  advancing.  Here  he  halted,  and  after  waiting 
for  the  whole  of  his  grave  and  attentive  warriors  to  close 
about  him,  he  spoke  in  Delaware,  demanding, — 

"  Do  any  of  my  young  men  know  whither  this  run  will 
lead  us?" 

A  Delaware  stretched  forth  a  hand,  with  the  two  ringers 
separated,  and  indicating  the  manner  in  which  they  were 
joined  at  the  root,  he  answered, — 

"  Before  the  sun  could  go  his  own  length,  the  little  water 
will  be  in  the  big."  Then  he  added,  pointing  in  the  direction 
of  the  place  he  mentioned,  "  the  two  make  enough  for  the 
beavers." 

"  I  thought  as  much,"  returned  the  scout,  glancing  his  eye 
upwards  at  the  opening  in  the  tree-tops,  "  from  the  course  it 
takes,  and  the  bearings  of  the  mountains.  Men,  we  will  keep 
within  the  cover  of  its  banks  till  we  scent  the  Hurons." 

His  companions  gave  the  usual  brief  exclamation  of  assent, 
but  perceiving  that  their  leader  was  about  to  lead  the  way  in 
person,  one  or  two  made  signs  that  all  was  not  as  it  should 
be.  Hawk-eye,  who  comprehended  their  meaning  glances, 
turned,  and  perceived  that  his  party  had  been  followed  thus 
far  by  the  singing-master. 

"  Do  you  know,  friend,"  asked  the  scout  gravely,  and  per- 
haps with  a  little  of  the  pride  of  conscious  deserving  in  his 
manner,  "  that  this  is  a  band  of  rangers  chosen  for  the  most 
desperate  service,  and  put  under  the  command  of  one  who, 
though  another  might  say  it  with  a  better  face,  will  not  be 
apt  to  leave  them  idle.  It  may  not  be  five,  it  cannot  be 
thirty  minutes  before  we  tread  on  the  body  of  a  Huron,  living 
or  dead." 

"  Though  not  admonished  of  your  intentions  in  words," 
returned  David,  whose  face  was  a  little  flushed,  and  whose 
ordinarily  quiet  and  unmeaning  eyes  glimmered  with  an  ex- 
pression of  unusual  fire,  "  your  men  have  reminded  me  of  the 
children  of  Jacob  going  out  to  battle  against  the  Shechemites, 
for  wickedly  aspiring  to  wedlock  with  a  woman  of  a  race  that 
was  favored  of  the  Lord.  Now,  I  have  journeyed  far,  and 
sojourned  much  in  good  and  evil  with  the  maiden  ye  seek. 


334  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

and  though  not  a  man  of  war,  with  my  loins  girded  and  my 
sword  sharpened,  yet  would  I  gladly  strike  a  blow  in  hei 
behalf." 

The  scout  hesitated,  as  if  weighing  the  chances  of  such  a 
strange  enlistment  in  his  mind  before  he  answered, — 

"  You  know  not  the  use  of  any  we'pon.  You  carry' no 
rifle  ;  and  believe  me,  what  the  Mingoes  take  they  will  freely 
give  again." 

"  Though  not  a  vaunting  and  bloodily-disposed  Goliah," 
returned  David,  drawing  a  sling  from  beneath  his  parti-colored 
and  uncouth  attire,  "  I  have  not  forgotten  the  example  of  the 
Jewish  boy.  With  this  ancient  instrument  of  war  have  I 
practised  much  in  my  youth,  and  peradventure  the  skill  has 
not  entirely  departed  from  me." 

"  Ay  !  "  said  Hawk-eye,  considering  the  deer-skin  thong 
and  apron  with  a  cold  and  discouraging  eye  ;  "  the  thing 
might  do  its  work  among  arrows,  or  even  knives  ;  but  these 
Mengwe  have  been  furnished  by  the  Frenchers  with  a  good 
grooved  barrel  a  man.  However,  it  seems  to  be  your  gift  to 
go  unharmed  amid  fire  ;  and  as  you  have  hitherto  been  fa- 
vored— major,  you  have  left  your  rifle  at  a  cock  ;  a  single  shot 
before  the  time  would  be  just  twenty  scalps  lost  to  no  pur- 
pose— singer,  you  can  follow  ;  we  may  find  use  for  you  in  the 
shoutings." 

"  I  thank  you,  friend,"  returned  David,  supplying  himself 
like  his  royal  namesake,  from  among  the  pebbles  of  the  brook  ,- 
"  though  not  given  to  the  desire  to  kill,  had  you  sent  me  away 
my  spirit  would  have  been  troubled." 

"  Remember,"  added  the  scout,  tapping  his  own  head 
significantly  on  that  spot  where  Gamut  was  yet  sore,  "  we 
come  to  fight,  and  not  to  musikate.  Until  the  general  whoop 
is  given,  nothing  speaks  but  the  rifle." 

David  nodded,  as  much  as  to  signify  his  acquiescence  with 
the  terms;  and  then  Hawk-eye,  casting  another  observant 
glance  over  his  followers,  made  the  signal  to  proceed. 

Their  route  lay,  for  the  distance  of  a  mile,  along  the  bed 
of  the  water-course.  Though  protected  from  any  great  danger 
of  observation  by  the  precipitous  banks,  and  the  thick  shrub- 
bery which  skirted  the  stream,  no  precaution  known  to  an 
Indian  attack  was  neglected.  A  warrior  rather  crawled  than 
walked  on  each  flank,  so  as  to  catch  occasional  glimpses  into 
the  forest ;  and  every  few  minutes  the  band  came  to  a  halt, 
and  listened  for  hostile  sounds,  with  an  acuteness  of  organs 
that  would  be  scarcely  conceivable  to  a  man  in  a  less  natural 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


335 


state.  Their  march  was,  however,  unmolested,  and  thej 
reached  the  point  where  the  lesser  stream  was  lost  in  the 
greater,  without  the  smallest  evidence  that  their  progress  had 
been  noted.  Here  the  scout  again  halted,  to  consult  the  signs 
of  the  forest. 

"  We  are  likely  to  have  a  good  day  for  a  fight,"  he  said 
in  English,  addressing  Heywarcl,  and  glancing  his  eye  up- 
wards at  the  clouds,  which  began  to  move  in  broad  sheets 
across  the  firmament ;  "  a  bright  sun  and  a  glittering  barrel 
are  no  friends  to  true  sight.  Everything  is  favorable ;  they 
have  the  wind,  which  will  bring  down  their  noises  and  their 
smoke  too,  no  little  matter  in  itself ;  whereas,  with  us  it  will 
be  first  a  shot,  and  then  a  clear  view.  But  here  is  an  end  of 
our  cover ;  the  beavers  have  had  the  range  of  this  stream  for 
hundreds  of  years,  and  what  atween  their  food  and  their 
dams,  there  is,  as  you  see,  many  a  girdled  stub,  but  few  living 
trees." 

Hawk-eye  had,  in  truth,  in  these  few  words,  given  no  bad 
description  of  the  prospect  that  now  lay  in  their  front.  The 
brook  was  irregular  in  its  width,  sometimes  shooting  through 
narrow  fissures  in  the  rocks.-  and  at  others  spreading  over 
acres  of  bottom  land,  forming  little  areas  that  might  be  termed 
ponds.  Everywhere  along  its  banks  were  the  mouldering 
relics  of  dead  trees,  in  all  the  stages  of  decay,  from  those  that 
groaned  on  their  tottering  trunks  to  such  as  had  recently  been 
robbed  of  those  rugged  coats  that  so  mysteriously  contain 
their  principle  of  life.  A  few  long,  low,  and  moss-covered 
piles  were  scattered  among  them,  like  the  memorials  of  a  for- 
mer and  long-departed  generation. 

All  these  minute  particulars  were  noted  by  the  scout, 
with  a  gravity  and  interest  that  they  probably  had  never  before 
attracted.  He  knew  that  the  Huron  encampment  lay  a  short 
half  mile  up  the  brook  ;  and,  with  the  characteristic  anxiety 
of  one  who  dreaded  a  hidden  danger,  he  was  greatly  troubled 
at  not  finding  the  smallest  trace  of  the  presence  of  his  enemy. 
Once  or  twice  he  felt  induced  to  give  the  order  for  a  rush,  and  to 
attempt  the  village  by  surprise ;  but  his  experience  quickly 
admonished  him  of  the  danger  of  so  useless  an  experiment. 
Then  he  listened  intently,  and  with  painful  uncertainty,  for 
the  sounds  of  hostility  in  the  quarter  where  Uncas  was  left  - 
but  nothing  was  audible  except  the  sighing  of  the  wind,  that 
began  to  sweep  over  the  bosom  of  the  forest  in  gusts  which 
threatened  a  tempest.  At  length,  yielding  rather  to  his 
unusual  impatience  than  taking  counsel  from  his  knowledge, 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICAN*. 

he  determined  to  bring  matters  to  an  issue,  by  unmasking  his 
force,  and  proceeding  cautiously,  but  steadily  up  the  stream. 

The  scout  had  stood,  while  making  his  observations,  shel- 
tered by  a  brake,  and  his  companions  still  lay  in  the  bed  of 
the  ravine,  through  which  the  smaller  stream  debouched ;  but 
on  hearing  his  low,  though  intelligible  signal,  the  whole  party 
stole  up  the  bank,  like  so  many  dark  spectres,  and  silently 
arranged  themselves  around  him.  Pointing  in  the  direction 
he  wished  to  proceed,  Hawk-eye  advanced,  the  band  breaking 
off  in  single  files,  and  following  so  accurately  in  his  footsteps, 
as  to  leave  it,  if  we  except  Heyward  and  David,  the  trail  of 
but  a  single  man. 

The  party  was,  however,  scarcely  uncovered  before  a  volley 
from  a  dozen  rifles  was  heard  in  their  rear ;  and  a  Delaware, 
leaping  high  into  the  air,  like  a  wounded  deer,  fell  at  his  whole 
length,  perfectly  dead. 

"  Ah  !  I  feared  some  deviltry  like  this  !  "  exclaimed  the 
Scout,  in  English  ;  adding  with  the  quickness  of  thought,  in 
his  adopted  tongue,  "  To  cover,  men,  and  charge  !  " 

The  band  dispersed  at  the  word,  and  before  Heyward  had 
well  recovered  from  his  surprise,  he  found  himself  standing 
alone  with  David.  Luckily,  the  Hurons  had  already  fallen 
back,  and  he  was  safe  from  their  fire.  But  this  state  of  things 
was  evidently  to  be  of  short  continuance  ;  for  the  scout  set  the 
example  of  pressing  on  their  retreat,  by  discharging  his  rifle, 
2nd  darting  from  tree  to  tree,  as  his  enemy  slowly  yielded 
ground. 

It  would  seem  that  the  assault  had  been  made  by  a  very 
small  party  of  the  Hurons,  which,  however,  continued  to  in- 
crease in  numbers,  as  it  retired  on  its  friends,  until  the  return 
fire  was  very  nearly,  if  not  quite,  equal  to  that  maintained  by 
the  advancing  Delawares.  Heyward  threw  himself  among 
the  combatants,  -ind  imitating  the  necessary  caution  of  his 
companions,  he  made  quick  discharges  with  his  own  rifle. 
The  contest  now  grew  warm  and  stationary.  Few  were  injured, 
as  both  parties  kept  their  bodies  as  much  protected  as  possible 
by  the  trees  ;  never,  indeed,  exposing  any  part  of  their  persons 
except  in  the  act  of  taking  aim.  But  the  chances  were  grad- 
ually growing  unfavorable  to  Hawk-eye  and  his  band.  The 
quick-sighted  scout  perceived  his  danger,  without  knowing 
how  to  remedy  it.  He  saw  it  was  more  dangerous  to  retreat 
than  to  maintain  his  ground  ;  while  he  found  his  enemy  throw* 
ing  out  men  on  his  flank,  which  rendered  the  task  of  keeping 
themselves  covered  so  very  difficult  to  the  Delawares,  as  nearly 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  237 

to  silence  their  Jire.  At  this  embarrassing  moment,  when  they 
began  to  think  the  whole  of  the  hostile  tribe  was  gradually 
encircling  them,  they  heard  the  yell  of  combatants,  and  the 
rattling  of  arms,  echoing  under  the  arches  of  the  wood,  at  the 
place  where  Uncas  was  posted  ;  a  bottom  which,  in  a  manner, 
lay  beneath  the  ground  on  which  Hawk-eye  and  his  party  were 
contending. 

The  effects  of  this  attack  were  instantaneous,  and  to  the 
scout  and  his  friends  greatly  relieving.  It  would  seem  that, 
while  his  own  surprise  had  been  anticipated,  and  had  con- 
sequently failed,  the  enemy,  in  their  turn,  having  been  deceived 
in  its  object  and  in  his  numbers,  had  left  too  small  a  force  to 
resist  the  impetuous  onset  of  the  young  Mohican.  This  fact . 
was  doubly  apparent,  by  the  rapid  manner  in  which  the  battle 
in  the  forest  rolled  upwards  towards  the  village,  and  by  an 
instant  falling  off  in  the  number  of  their  assailants,  who  rushed 
to  assist  in  maintaining  the  front,  and,  as  it  now  proved  to  be, 
the  principal  point  of  defence. 

Animating  his  followers  by  his  voice,  and  his  own  examplel? 
Hawk-eye  then  gave  the  word  to  bear  down  upon  their  foes. 
The  charge,  in  that  rude  species  of  warfare,  consisted  merely 
in  pushing  from  cover  to  cover,  nigher  to  the  enemy ;  and  in 
this  manoeuvre  he  was  instantly  and  successfully  obeyed.  The 
Hurons  were  compelled  to  withdraw,  and  the  scene  of  the  con- 
test rapidly  changed  from  the  more  open  ground  on  which  it 
had  commenced,  to  the  spot  where  the  assailed  found  a  thicket 
to  rest  upon.  Here  the  struggle  was  protracted,  arduous,  and, 
seemingly,  of  doubtful  issue  ;  the  Delawares,  though  none  of 
them  fell,  beginning  to  bleed  freely,  in  consequence  of  the 
disadvantage  at  which  they  were  held. 

In  this  crisis,  Hawk-eye  found  means  to  get  behind  the 
same  tree  as  that  which  served  for  a  cover  to  Heyward  ;  most 
of  his  own  combatants  being  within  call,  a  little  on  his  right, 
where  they  maintained  sapid,  though  fruitless  discharges  on  their 
sheltered  enemies. 

"  You  are  a  young  man,  major,"  said  the  scout,  dropping 
the  butt  of  "  Kill-deer "  to  the  earth,  and  leaning  on  the 
barrel,  a  little  fatigued  with  his  previous  industry ;  "  and  it 
may  be  your  gift  to  lead  armies,  at  some  future  day,  ag'in 
these  imps,  the  Mingoes.  You  may  here  see  the  philosophy 
of  an  Indian  fight.  It  consists,  mainly,  in  a  ready  hand,  a  quick 
eye,  and  a  good  cover.  Now,  if  you  had  a  company  of  the  Royal 
Americans  here,  in  what  manner  would  you  set  them  to  work 
in  this  business  ?  " 

99 


338 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


"  The  bayonet  would  made  a  road." 

"  Ay,  there  is  white  reason  in  what  you  say  ;  but  a  man 
must  ask  himself,  in  this  wilderness,  how  many  lives  he  can 
spare.  No — horse,"  *  continued  the  scout,  shaking  his  head, 
like  one  who  mused ;  "  horse,  I  am  ashamed  to  say,  must, 
sooner  or  later,  decide  these  skrimmages.  The  brutes  are 
better  than  men,  and  to  horse  must  we  come  at  last.  Put  a 
shodden  hoof  on  the  moccasin  of  red-skin  ;  and  if  his  rifle 
be  once  emptied,  he  will  never  stop  to  load  it  again." 

"This  is  a  subject  that  might  better  be  discussed  another 
time,"  returned  Heyward  ;  "  shall  we  charge  ?  " 

"  I  see  no  contradiction  to  the  gifts  of  any  man,  in  passing 
his  breathing  spells  in  useful  reflections,"  the  scout  replied. 
"  As  to  a  rush  I  little  relish  such  a  measure ;  for  a  scalp  or 
two  must  be  thrown  away  in  the  attempt.  And  yet,"  he  added, 
bending  his  head  aside,  to  catch  the  sounds  of  the  distant 
combat,  "  if  we  are  to  be  of  use  to  Uncas,  these  knaves  in 
our  front  must  be  got  rid  of !  " 

Then  turning,  with  a  prompt  and  decided  air,  he  called 
aloud  to  his  Indians,  in  their  own  language.  His  words  were 
answered  by  a  shout ;  and,  at  a  given  signal,  each  warrior 
made  a  swift  movement  around  his  particular  tree.  The  sight 
of  so  many  dark  bodies  glancing  before  their  eyes  at  the  same 
instant,  drew  a  hasty,  and  consequently  an  ineffectual,  fire 
from  the  Hurons.  Without  stopping  to  breathe,  the  Dela- 
wares  leaped,  in  long  bounds,  towards  the  woods,  like  so 
many  panrhers  springing  upon  their  prey.  Hawk-eye  was 
in  front,  brandishing  his  terrible  rifle,  and  animating  his  fol- 
lowers by  his  example.  A  few  of  the  older  and  more  cun- 
ning Hurons,  who  had  not  been  deceived  by  the  artifice  which 
had  been  practised  to  draw  their  fire,  now.  made  a  close  and 
deadly  discharge  of  their  pieces,  and  justified  the  apprehen- 
sions of  the  scout,  by  felling  three  of  his  foremost  warriors. 
But  the  shock  was  insufficient  to  repel  the  impetus  of  the 
charge.  The  Delawares  broke  into  the  cover  with  the  feroc- 
ity of  their  natures,  and  swept  away  every  trace  of  resistance 
by  the  fury  of  the  onset. 

*  The  Amercan  forest  admits  of  the  passage  of  horse,  there  being  little  under- 
brush, and  few  tangled  brakes.  The  plan  of  Hawk-eye  is  the  one  which  has  always 
proved  the  most  successful  in  the  battles  between  the  whites  and  the  Indians. 
Wayne,  in  his  celebrated  campaign  on  the  Miami,  received  the  fire  of  his  enemies 
in  line  ;  and  then  causing  his  dragoons  to  wheel  round  his  flanks,  the  Indians  were 
driven  from  their  covers  before  they  had  time  to  load.  One  of  the  most  conspicuous 
of  the  chiefs  who  fought  in  the  battle  of  Miami,  assured  the  writer  that  the  red  men 
could  not  fight  the  warriors  with  "  long  knives  and  leather-stockings  ; ''  meaning 
the  dragoons  with  their  sabres  and  boots. 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS,  339 

The  combat  endured  only  for  an  instant,  hand  to  hand,  and 
then  the  assailed  yielded  ground  rapidly,  until  they  reached 
the  opposite  margin  of^the  thicket,  where  they  clung  to  the 
cover,  with  the  sort  of  obstinacy  that  is  so  often  witnessed  in 
hunted  brutes.  At  this  critical  moment,  when  the  success  of 
the  struggle  was  again  becoming  doubtful,  the  crack  of  a 
rifle  was  heard  behind  the  Hurons,  and  a  bullet  came  whiz- 
zing from  among  some  beaver  lodges,  which  were  situated  in 
the  clearing,  in  their  rear,  and  was  followed  by  the  fierce  and 
appalling  yell  of  the  war-whoop. 

•'  There  speaks  the  Sagamore  !  "  shouted  Hawk-eye,  an- 
swering the  cry  with  his  own  stentorian  voice  ;  "  we  have  them 
now  in  face  and  back  ! " 

The  effect  on  the  Hurons  was  instantaneous.  Discour- 
aged by  an  assault  from  a  quarter  that  left  them  no  opportu- 
nity for  cover,  their  warriors  uttered  a  common  yell  of  disap- 
pointment, and  breaking  off  in  a  body,  they  spread  them- 
selves across  the  opening,  heedless  of  every  consideration  but 
flight.  Many  fell,  in  making  the  experiment,  under  the 
bullets  and  blows  of  the  pursuing  Delawares. 

We  shall  not  pause  to  detail  the  meeting  between  the 
scout  and  Chingachgook,  or  the  more  touching  interview  that 
Duncan  held  with  Munro.  A  few  brief  and  hurried  words 
served  to  explain  the  state  of  things  to  both  parties ;  and 
then  Hawk-eye  pointing  out  the  Sagamore  to  his  band,  re- 
signed the  chief  authority  into  the  hands  of  the  Mohican 
chief.  Chingachgook  assumed  the  station  to  which  his  birth 
and  experience  gave  him  so  distinguished  a  claim,  with  the 
grave  dignity  that  always  gives  force  to  the  mandates  of  a 
native  warrior.  Following  the  footsteps  of  the  scout,  he  led 
the  party  back  through  the  thicket,  his  men  scalping  the  fallen 
Hurons,  and  secreting  the  bodies  of  their  own  dead  as  they 
proceeded,  until  they  gained  a  point  where  the  former  was 
content  to  make  a  halt. 

The  warriors,  who  had  breathed  themselves  freely  in  the 
preceding  struggle,  were  now  posted  on  a  bit  of  level  ground, 
sprinkled  with  trees  in  sufficient  numbers  to  conceal  them. 
The  land  fell  away  rather  precipitately  in  front,  and  beneath 
their  eyes  stretched,  for  several  miles,  a  narrow,  dark,  and 
wooded  vale.  It  was  through  this  dense  and  dark  forest 
that  Uncas  was  still  contending  with  the  main  body  of  the 
Hurons. 

The  Mohican  and  his  friends  advanced  to  the  brow  of  the 
hill,  and  listened,  with  practised  ears,  to  the  sounds  of  the 


340  TffE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

vcombat.  A  few  birds  hovered  over  the  leafy  bosom  of  the 
valley,  frightened  frorh  their  secluded  nests ;  and  here  and 
there  a  light  vapory  cloud,  which  seemed  already  blending 
with  the  atmosphere,  arose  above  the  trees,  and  indicated  some 
spot  where  the  struggle  had  been  fierce  and  stationary. 

''The  fight  is  coining  up  the  ascent,"  said  Duncan,  point- 
ing in  the  direction  of  a  new  explosion  of  fire-arms  ; .  "  we  are 
too  much  in  the  centre  of  their  line  to  be  effective." 

"They  will  incline  into  the  hollow,  where  the  cover  is 
thicker,"  said  the  scout,  "and  that  will  leave  us  well  on  their 
flank.  Go,  Sagamore;  you  will  hardly  be  in  time  to  give  the 
whoop,  and  lead  on  the  young  men.  I  will  fight  the  skrim, 
"mage  with  warriors  of  my  own  color.  You  know  me,  Mohi- 
can ;  not  a  Huron  of  them  all  shall  cross  the  swell,  into  your 
rear,  without  the  notice  of  '  Kill-deer.'  " 

The  Indian  chief  paused  another  moment  to  consider  the 
signs  of  the  contest,  which  was  now  rolling  rapidly  up  the  as- 
cent, a  certain  evidence  that  the  Delawares  triumphed ;  nor 
did  he  actually  quit  the  place  until  admonished  of  the  proxim- 
ity of  his  friends,  as  well  as  enemies,  by  the  bullets  of  the  for- 
mer, which  began  to  patter  among  the  dried  leaves  on  the 
ground,  like  the  bits  of  falling  hail  which  precede  the  burst- 
ing of  the  tempest.  Hawk-eye  and  his  three  companions 
withdrew  a  pace  to  a  shelter,  and  awaited  the  issue  with 
calmness,  that  nothing  but  great  practice  could  impart  in  such 
a  scene. 

It  was  not  long  before  the  reports  of  the  rifles  began  to 
lose  the  echpes  of  the  woods,  and  to  sound  like  weapons 
discharged  in  the  open  air.  Then  a  warrior  appeared,  here 
and  there,  driven  to  the  skirts  of  the  forest,  and  rallying  as 
he  entered  the  clearing,  as  at  the  place  where  the  final  stand 
was  to  be  made.  These  were  soon  joined  by  others,  until  a 
long  line  of  swarthy  figures  was  to  be  seen  clinging  to  the 
cover  with  the  obstinacy  of  desperation.  Heyward  began  to 
grow  impatient,  and  turned  his  eyes  anxiously  in  the  direction 
of  Chingachgook.  The  chief  was  seated  on  a  rock,  with 
nothing  visible  but  his  calm  visage,  considering  the  spectacle 
with  an  eye  as  deliberate  as  if  he  were  posted  there  merely  to 
view  the  struggle. 

"  The  time  is  come  for  the  Delaware  to  strike  1 "  said  Dun* 
can. 

"Not  so,  not  so,"  returned  the  scout;  "when  he  scents 

his  friends,  he  will  let  them  know  that  he  is  here.     See,  see  ; 

^  the  knaves  are  getting  in  that  clump  of  pines,  like  bees  set- 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  34^ 

tling  after  their  flight.  By  the  Lord,  a  squaw  might  put  a 
bullet  into  the  centre  of  such  a  knot  of  dark  skins  !  " 

At  that  instant  the  whoop  was  given,  and  a  dozen  Hurons 
fell  by  a  discharge  from  Chingachgook  and  his  band.  The 
shout  that  followed  was  answered  by  a  single  war-cry  from 
the  forest,  and  a  yell  passed  through  the  air  that  sounded  as 
if  a  thousand  throats  were  united  in  a  common  effort.  The 
Hurons  staggered,  deserted  the  centre  of  their  line,  and  Un- 
cas  issued  from  the  forest  through  the  opening  they  left,  at  the 
head  of  a  hundred  warriors. 

Waving  his  hands  right  and  left,  the  young  chief  pointed 
out  the  enemy  to  his  followers,  who  separated  in  pursuit. 
The  war  now  divided,  both  wings  of  the  broken  Hurons  seek- 
ing protection  in  the  woods  again,  hotly  pressed  by  the  vic- 
torious, warriors  of  the  Lenape.  A  minute  might  have  passed, 
but  the  sounds  were  already  receding  in  different  directions, 
and  gradually  losing  their  distinctness  beneath  the  echoing 
arches  of  the  woods.  One  little  knot  of  Hurons,  however, 
had  disdained  to  seek  a  cover,  and  were  retiring,  like  lions  at 
bay,  slowly  and  sullenly  up  the  acclivity,  which  Chingachgook 
and  his  band  had  just  deserted  to  mingle  more  closely  in  the 
fray.  Ma^ua  was  conspicuous  in  this  party,  both  by  his  fierce 
and  savage  mien,  and  by  the  air  of  haughty  authority  he  yet 
maintained. 

In  his  eagerness  to  expedite  the  pursuit,  Uncas  had  left 
himself  nearly  alone  ;  but  the  moment  his  eye  caught  the  fig- 
ure of  Le  Subtil,  every  other  consideration  was  forgotten. 
Raising  his  cry  of  battle,  which  recalled  some  six  or  seven 
warriors,  and  reckless  of  the  disparity  of  their  numbers,  he 
rushed  upon  his  enemy.  Le  Renard,  who  watched  the  move- 
ment, paused  to  receive  him  with  secret  joy.  But  at  the  mo- 
ment when  he  thought  the  rashness  of  his  impetuous  young 
assailant  had  left  him  at  his  mercy,  another  shout  was  given, 
and  La  longue  Carabine  was  seen  rushing  to  the  rescue,  at- 
tended by  all  his  white  associates.  The  Huron  instantly 
turned,  and  commenced  a  rapid  retreat  up  the  ascent. 

There  was  no  time  for  greetings  or  congratulations ;  for 
Uncas,  though  unconscious  of  the  presence  of  his  friends,  con- 
tinued the  pursuit  with  the  velocity  of  the  wind.  In  vain 
Hawk-eye  called  to  him  to  respect  the  covers  ;  the  young  Mo- 
hican braved  the  dangerous  fire  of  his  enemies,  and  sqon 
compelled  them  to  a  flight  as  swift  as  his  own  headlong  speed. 
It  was  fortunate  that  the  race  was  of  short  continuance,  and 
that  the  white  men  were  much  favored  by  their  position,  of 


342 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


the  Delaware  would  soon  have  outstripped  all  his  companion^ 
And  fallen  a  victim  to  his  own  temerity.  But  ere  such  a  ca« 
lamity  could  happen,  the  pursuers  and  pursued  entered  tha 
Wyandot  village,  within  striking  distance  of  each  other. 

Excited  by  the  presence  of  their  dwellings,  and  tired  of 
the  chase,  the  Hurons  now  made  a  stand,  and  fought  around 
their  council  lodge  with  the  fury  of  despair.  The  onset  and 
the  issue  were  like  the  passage  and  destruction  of  a  whirlwind. 
The  tomahawk  of  Uncas,  the  blows  of  Hawk-eye,  and  even 
the  still  nervous  arm  of  Munro,  were  all  busy  for  that  passing 
moment,  and  the  ground  was  quickly  strewed  with  their  ene- 
mies. Still  Magua,  though  daring  and  much  exposed,  escaped 
from  every  effort  against  his  life,  with  that  sort  of  fabled  pro- 
tection that  was  made  to  overlook  the  fortunes  of  favored 
heroes  in  the  legends  of  ancient  poetry.  Raising  a  yell  that 
spoke  volumes  of  anger  and  disappointment,  the  subtle  chief, 
when  he  saw  his  comrades  fallen,  darted  away  from  the  place, 
attended  by  his  two  only  surviving  friends,  leaving  the  Dela- 
wares  engaged  in  stripping  the  dead  of  the  bloody  trophic? 
of  their  victory. 

But  Uncas,  who  had  vainly  sought  him  in  the  melee, 
bounded  forward  in  pursuit ;  Hawk-eye,  Heyward,  and  David 
still  pressing  on  his  footsteps.  The  utmost  that  the  scout 
could  effect  was  to  keep  the  muzzle  of  his  rifle  a  little  in  ad- 
vance of  his  friend,  to  whom,  however,  it  answered  every  pur- 
pose of  a  charmed  shield.  Once  Magua  appeared  disposed 
to  make  another  and  a  final  effort  to  revenge  his  losses ;  but, 
abandoning  his  intention  as  soon  as  demonstrated,  he  leaped 
into  a  thicket  of  bushes,  through  which  he  was  followed  by 
his  enemies,  and  suddenly  entered  the  mouth  of  the  cave  al- 
ready known  to  the  reader.  Hawk-eye,  who  had  only  for- 
borne to  fire  in  tenderness  to  Uncas,  raised  a  shout  of  success, 
and  proclaimed  aloud,  that  now  they  were  certain  of  their 
game.  The  pursuers  dashed  into  the  long  and  narrow  en- 
trance, in  time  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  retreating  forms  of 
the  Hurons.  Their  passage  through  the  natural  galleries  and 
subterraneous  apartments  of  the  cavern  was  preceded  by  the 
shrieks  and  cries  of  hundreds  of  women  and  children.  The 
place,  seen  by  its  dim  and  uncertain  light,  appeared  like  the 
shades  of  the  infernal  regions,  across  which  unhappy  ghosts 
and  savage  demons  were  flitting  in  multitudes. 

Still  Uncas  kept  his  eye  on  Magua,  as  if  life  to  him  pos« 
sessed  but  a  single  object.  Heyward  and  the  scout  still 
pressed  on  his  rear,  actuated,  though  possibly  in  a  less  degre^ 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


343 


by  a  common  feeling.  But  their  way  was  becoming  intricate, 
in  those  dark  and  gloomy  passages,  and  the  glimpses  of  the 
retiring  warriors  less  distinct  and  frequent ;  and  for  a  moment 
the  trace  was  believed  to  be  lost,  when  a  white  robe  was  seen 
fluttering  in  the  further  extremity  of  a  passage  that  seemed  to 
lead  up  the  mountain. 

"  'Tis  Cora  !  "  exclaimed  Heyward,  in  a  voice  in  which 
horror  and  delight  were  wildly  mingled. 

"  Cora  !  Cora  !  "  echoed  Uncas,  bounding  forward  like  a 
deer. 

"  'Tis  the  maiden  !  "  ihouted  the  scout.  "  Courage,  lady  ; 
we  come  ! — we  come  !  " 

The  chase  was  renewed  with  a  diligence  rendered  tenfold 
encouraging  by  this  glimpse  of  the  captive.  But  the  way  was 
rugged,  broken,  and  in  spots  nearly  impassable.  Uncas 
abandoned  his  rifle  and  leaped  forward  with  headlong  pre- 
cipitation. Heyward  rashly  imitated  his  example,  though 
both  were,  a  moment  afterwards,  admonished  of  its  madness, 
by  hearing  the  bellowing  of  a  piece,  that  the  Hurons  found 
time  to  discharge  down  the  passage  in  the  rocks,  the  bullets 
from  which  even  gave  the  young  Mohican  a  slight  wound. 

"  We  must  close  !  "  said  the  scout,  passing  his  friends  by 
a  desperate  leap ;  "the  knaves  will  pick  us  all  off  at  this  dis- 
tance ;  and  see,  they  hold  the  maiden  so  as  to  shield  them- 
selves !  " 

Though  his  words  were  unheeded,  or  rather  unheard,  his 
example  was  followed  by  his  companions,  who,  by  incredible 
exertions,  got  near  enough  to  the  fugitives  to  perceive  that 
Cora  was  borne  along  between  the  two  warriors  while  Magua 
prescribed  the  direction  and  manner  of  their  flight.  At  this 
moment  the  forms  of  all  four  were  strongly  drawn  against  an 
opening  in  the  sky,  and  they  disappeared.  Nearly  frantic 
with  disappointment,  Uncas  and  Heyward  increased  efforts 
that  already  seemed  superhuman,  and  they  issued  from  the 
cavern  on  the  side  of  the  mountain,  in  time  to  note  the  route 
of  the  pursued.  The  course  lay  up  the  ascent,  and  still  con* 
tinued  hazardous  and  laborious. 

Encumbered  by  his  rifle,  and,  perhaps,  not  sustained  by  so 
deep  an  interest  in  the  captive  as  his  companions,  the  scout 
suffered  the  latter  to  precede  him  a  little,  Uncas,  in  his  turn, 
taking  the  lead  of  Heyward.  In  this  manner,  rocks,  precipices, 
and  difficulties  were  surmounted  in  an  incredibly  short  space, 
that  at  another  time,  and  under  other  circumstances,  would 
have  been  deemed  almost  insuperable.  But  the  impetuous 


344 


THE  LAST  Ofi  ME  MOHICANS. 


young  men  were  rewarded,  by  finding  that,  encumbered  with 
Cora,  the  Hurons  were  losing  ground  in  the  race. 

"  Stay,  dog  of  the  Wyandots  !  "  exclaimed  Uncas,  shaking 
his  bright  tomahawk  at  Magua  ;  "  a  Delaware  girl  calls  stay  ! " 

"  I  will  go  no  further,"  cried  Cora,  stopping  unexpectedly 
on  a  ledge  of  rocks,  that  overhung  a  deep  precipice,  at  no 
great  distance  from  the  summit  of  the  mountain.  "  Kill  me  is 
thou  wilt,  detestable  Huron ;  I  will  go  no  further." 

The  supporters  of  the  maiden  raised  their  ready  tomahawks 
with  the  impious  joy  that  fiends  are  thought  to  take  in  mis- 
chief, but  Magua  stayed  the  uplifted  arms.  The  Huron  chief, 
after  casting  the  weapons  he  had  wrested  from  his  companions 
over  the  rock,  drew  his  knife,  and  turned  to  his  captive,  with  a 
look  in  which  conflicting  passions  fiercely  contended. 

"  Woman,"  he  said,  "choose  ;  the  wigwam  or  the  knife  of 
Le  Subtil !  " 

Cora  regarded  him  not,  but  dropping  on  her  knees,  she 
raised  her  eyes  and  stretched  her  arms  towards  heaven,  saying 
in  a  meek  and  yet  confiding  voice, — 

"  I  am  thine  !  do  with  me  as  thou  seest  best  1 " 

"  Woman,"  repeated  Magua,  hoarsely,  and  endeavoring  in 
vain  to  catch  a  glance  from  her  serene  and  beaming  eye, 
"  choose !  " 

But  Cora  neither  heard  nor  heeded  his  demand.  The 
form  of  the  Huron  trembled  in  every  fibre,  and  he  raised  his 
arm  on  high,  but  dropped  ic  again  with  a  bewildered  air,  like 
one  who  doubted.  Once  more  he  struggled  with  himself  and 
lifted  the  keen  weapon  a^ain — but  just  then  a  piercing  cry 
was  heard  above  them,  and  Uncas  appeared,  leaping  frantic- 
ally, from  a  fearful  height,  upon  the  ledge.  Magua  recoiled  a 
step ;  and  one  of  his  assistants,  profiting  by  the  chance, 
sheathed  his  own  knife  in  the  bosom  of  Cora. 

The  Huron  sprang  like  a  tiger  on  his  offending  and 
already  retreating  countryman,  but  the  falling  form  of  Uncas 
separated  the  unnatural  combatants.  Diverted  from  his 
object  by  this  interruption,  and  maddened  by  the  murdei  he 
had  just  witnessed,  Magua  buried  his  weapon  in  the  back  of 
the  prostrate  Delaware,  uttering  an  unearthly  shout  as  he 
committed  the  dastardly  deed.  But  Uncas  arose  from  the 
blow,  as  the  wounded  panther  turns  upon  his  foe,  and  struck 
the  murderer  of  Cora  to  his  feet,  by  an  effort  in  which  the 
last  of  his  failing  strength  was  expended.  Then,  with  a  stern 
and  steady  look,  he  turned  to  Le  Subtil,  and  indicated,  by  the 
expression  of  his  eye,  all  that  he  would  do,  had  not  the  powe? 


TffB  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  345 

deserted  him.  The  latter  seized  the  nerveless  arm  of  the  un- 
resisting Delaware,  and  passed  his  knife  into  his  bosom  three 
several  times,  before  his  victim,  still  keeping  his  gaze  riveted 
on  his  enemy  with  a  look  of  inextinguishable  scorn,  fell  dead 
at  his  feet. 

"  Mercy  I  mercy  1  Huron,"  cried  Heyward,  from  above, 
in  tones  nearly  choked  by  horror  ;  "  give  mercy,  and  thou  shalt 
receive  it  I  " 

Whirling  the  bloody  knife  up  at  the  imploring  youth,  the 
victorious  Magua  uttered  a  cry  so  fierce,  so  wild,  and  yet  so 
joyous,  that  it  conveyed  the  sounds  of  savage  triumph  to  the 
ears  of  those  who  fought  in  the  valley,  a  thousand  feet  below. 
He  was  answered  by  a  burst  from  the  lips  of  the  scout,  whose 
tall  person  was  just  then  seen  moving  swiftly  towards  him, 
along  those  dangerous  crags,  with  steps  as  bold  and  reckless 
as  if  he  possessed  the  power  to  move  in  air.  But  when  the 
hunter  reached  the  scene  of  the  ruthless  massacre,  the  ledge 
was  tenanted  only  by  the  dead. 

His  keen  eye  took  a  single  look  at  the  victims,  and  then 
shot  its  glances  over  the  difficulties  of  the  ascent  in  his  front. 
A  form  stood  at  the  brow  of  the  mountain,  on  the  very  edge 
of  the  giddy  height,  with  uplifted  arms,  in  an  awful  attitude 
of  menace.  Without  stopping  to  consider  his  person,  the  rifle 
of  Hawk-eye  was  raised  ;  but  a  rock,  which  fell  on  the  head  of 
one  of  the  fugitives  below,  exposed  the  indignant  and  glowing 
countenance  of  the  honest  Gamut  Then  Magua  issued  from 
a  crevice,  and  stepping  with  calm  indifference  over  the  body 
of  the  last  of  his  associates,  he  leaped  a  wide  fissure,  and 
ascended  the  rocks  at  a  point  where  the  arm  of  David  could 
not  reach  him.  A  single  bound  would  carry  him  to  the  brow 
of  the  precipice,  and  assure  his  safety.  Before  taking  the  leap, 
however,  the  Huron  paused,  and  shaking  his  hand  at  the 
scout,  he  shouted, — 

"  The  pale-faces  are  dogs  !  the  Delawares  women  !  Magua 
leaves  them  on  the  rocks,  for  the  crows  !  " 

Laughing  hoarsely,  he  made  a  desperate  leap,  and  fell 
short  of  his  mark  ;  though  his  hands  grasped  a  shrub  on  the 
verge  of  the  height.  The  form  of  Hawk-eye  had  crouched 
like  a  beast  about  to  take  its  spring,  and  his  frame  trembled 
so  violently  with  eagerness,  that  the  muzzle  of  the  half-raised 
rifle  played  like  a  leaf  fluttering  in  the  wind.  Without  ex- 
hausting himself  with  fruitless  efforts,  the  cunning  Magua 
suffered  his  body  to  drop  to  the  length  of  his  arms,  and  found 
a  fragment  for  his  feet  to  rest  on.  Then  summoning  all  his 


346  Vftn  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

powers,  he  renewed  the  attempt,  and  so  far  succeeded,  as 
draw  his  knees  on  the  edge  of  the  mountain.  It  was 
when  the  body  of  his  enemy  was  most  collected  together,  that 
the  agitated  weapon  of  the  scout  was  drawn  to  his  shoulder. 
The  surrounding  rocks  themselves  were  not  steadier  than 
the  piece  became,  for  the  single  instant  that  it  poured  out  its 
contents.  The  arms  of  the  Huron  relaxed,  and  his  body  felli 
back  a  little,  while  his  knees  still  kept  their  position.  Turn- 
ing a  relentless  look  on  his  enemy,  he  shook  a  hand  in  grim 
defiance.  But  his  hold  loosened,  and  his  dark  person  was 
seen  cutting  the  air  with  his  head  downwards,  for  a  fleeting 
instant,  until  it  glided  past  the  fringe  of  shrubbery  which  clung 
to  the  mountains,  in  its  rapid  flight  to  destruction. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

They  fought — like  brave  men,  long  and  wefl, 

They  piled  that  ground  with  Moslem  siaio. 
They  conquered — but  Bozzaris  fell 

Bleeding  at  every  vein. 
His  few  surviving  comrades  saw 
His  smile  when  rang  their  proud  hurrah, 

And  the  red  field  was  won  ; 
Then  saw  in  death  his  eyelids  close 
Calmly,  as  to  a  night's  repose, 

Like  flowers  at  set  of  sun. 

HALLECK. 

THE  sun  found  the  Lenape.  on  the  succeeding  day,  a  jr»a« 
fcion  of  mourners.  The  sounds  of  the  battle  were  over,  and 
they  had  fed  fat  their  ancient  grudge,  and  had  avenged  their 
recent  quarrel  with  the  Mengwe,  by  the  destruction  of  a  whole 
community.  The  black  and  murky  atmosphere  that  floated 
around  the  spot  where  the  Hurons  had  encamped,  sufficiently 
announced,  of  itself,  the  fate  of  that  wandering  tribe  ;  while 
hundreds  ^  ravens,  that  struggled  above  the  bleak  summits 
of  the  mountains,  or  swept,  in  noisy  flocks,  across  the  wide 
ranges  of  the  woods,  fvrnshed  a  frightful  direction  to  the 
scene  of  the  combat.  ?a  short,  any  eye,  at  afi  practised  in 
the  signs  of  a  frontier  warfare,  might  easily  have  traced  all 
those  unerring  evidences  of  the  ruthless  results  which  attend 
&i  Indian  vengeance. 

Still,  the  sun  rose  on  the  Lenape  a  nation  of  mourners 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  347 

No  shouts  of  success,  no  songs  of  triumph,  were  heard,  in  re- 
joicings for  their  victory.  The  latest  straggler  had  returned 
from  his  fell  employment,  only  to  strip  himself  of  his  bloody 
calling  and  to  join  in  the  lamentations  of  his  countrymen,  as 
a  stricken  people.  Pride  and  exultation  were  supplanted  by 
humility,  and  the  fiercest  of  human  passions  was  already 
succeeded  by  the  most  profound  and  unequivocal  demonstra- 
tions of  grief. 

The  lodges  were  deserted  ;  but  a  broad  belt  of  earnest 
faces  encircled  a  spot  in  their  vicinity,  whither  everything  pos- 
sessing life  had  repaired,  and  where  all  were  now  collected, 
in  deep  and  awful  silence.  Though  beings  of  every  rank  and 
age,  of  both  sexes,  and  of  all  pursuits,  had  united  to  form  this 
breathing  wall  of  bodies,  they  were  influenced  by  a  single 
emotion.  Each  eye  was  riveted  on  the  centre  of  that  ring, 
which  contained  the  objects  of  so  much,  and  of  so  common, 
an  interest. 

Six  Delaware  girls,  with  their  long,  dark,  flowing  tresses 
falling  loosely  across  their  bosoms,  stood  apart,  and  only  gave 
proofs  of  their  existence  as  they  occasionally  strewed  sweet-, 
scented  herbs  and  forest  flowers  on  a  litter  of  fragrant  plants 
that,  under  a  pall  of  Indian  robes,  supported  all  that  now  re 
mained  of  the  ardent,  high-souled,  and  generous  Cora.  Her 
form  was  concealed  in  many  wrappers  of  the  same  simple 
manufacture,  and  her  face  was  shut  forever  from  the  gaze  of 
men.  At  her  feet  was  seated  the  desolate  Munro.  His  aged 
head  was  bowed  nearly  to  the  earth,  in  compelled  submission 
to  the  stroke  of  Providence ;  but  a  hidden  anguish  struggled 
about  his  furrowed  brow,  that  was  only  partially  concealed  by 
the  careless  locks  of  gray  that  had  fallen,  neglected,  on  his 
temples.  Gamut  stood  at  his  side,  his  meek  head  bared  to 
the  rays  of  the  sun,  while  his  eyes,  wandering  and  concerned, 
seemed  to  be  equally  divided  between  that  little  volume,  which 
contained  so  many  quaint  but  holy  maxims,  and  the  being  in 
whose  behalf  his  soul  yearned  to  administer  consolation. 
Heyward  was  also  nigh,  supporting  himself  against  a  tree, 
and  endeavoring  to  keep  down  those  sudden  risings  of  sorrow 
that  it  required  his  utmost  manhood  to  subdue. 

But  sad  and  melancholy  as  this  group  may  easily  be  im- 
agined, it  was  far  less  touching  than  another,  that  occupied 
the  opposite  space  of  the  same  area.  Seated,  as  in  life,  with 
his  form  and  limbs  arranged  in  grave  and  decent  composurer 
Uncas  appeared,  arrayed  in  the  most  gorgeous  ornaments 
that  the  tribe  could  furnish.  Rich  plumes  nodded  above  his 


348  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

head  ;  wampum,  gorgets,  bracelets,  and  medals  adorned  his 
person  in  profusion  \  though  his  dull  eye  and  vacant  linea 
merits  too  strongly  contradicted  the  idle  tale  of  pride  they 
would  convey. 

Directly  in  front  of  the  corpse  Chingachgook  was  placed, 
without  arms,  paint,  or  adornment  of  any  sort,  except  the 
bright  blue  blazonry  of  his  race,  that  was  indelibly  impressed 
on  his  naked  bosom.  During  the  long  period  that  the  tribe 
had  been  thus  collected,  the  Mohican  warrior  had  kept  a 
steady,  anxious  look  on  the  cold  and  senseless  countenance 
of  his  son.  So  riveted  and  intense  had  been  that  gaze,  and 
so  changeless  his  attitude,  that  a  stranger  might  not  have  told 
the  living  from  the  dead,  but  for  the  occasional  gleamings  of 
a  troubled  spirit,  that  shot  athwart  the  dark  visage  of  one, 
and  the  death  calm  that  had  forever  settled  on  the  lineaments 
of  the  other. 

The  scout  was  hard  by,  leaning  in  a  pensive  posture  on 
his  own  fatal  and  avenging  weapon  ;  while  Tamenund,  sup- 
ported by  the  elders  of  his  nation,  occupied  a  high  place  at 
hand,  whence  he  might  look  down  on  the  mute  and  sorrowful 
assemblage  of  his  people. 

Just  within  the  inner  edge  of  the  circle  stood  a  soldier,  in 
the  military  attire  of  a  strange  nation  ;  and  without  it  was  his 
war-horse,  in  the  centre  of  a  collection  of  mounted  domestics, 
seemingly  in  readiness  to  undertake  some  distant  journey. 
The  vestments  of  the  stranger  announced  him  to  be  one  who 
held  a  responsible  situation  near  the  person  of  the  Captain  of 
the  Canadas  ;  and  who,  as  it  would  now  seem,  rinding  his 
errand  of  peace  frustrated  by  the  fierce  impetuosity  of  his 
allies,  was  content  to  become  a  silent  and  sad  spectator  of  the 
fruits  of  a  contest  that  he  had  arrived  too  late  to  anticipate. 

The  day  was  drawing  to  the  close  of  its  first  quarter,  and 
yet  had  the  multitude  maintained  its  breathing  stillness  since 
its  dawn.  No  sound  louder  than  a  stifled  sob  had  been  heard 
among  them,  nor  had  even  a  limb  been  moved  throughout 
that  long  and  painful  period,  except  to  perform  the  simple 
and  touching  offerings  that  were  made,  from  time  to  time,  in 
commemoration  of  the  dead.  The  patience  and  forbearance 
of  Indian  fortitude  could  alone  support  such  an  appearance  of 
abstraction  as  seemed  now  to  have  turned  each  dark  and 
motionless  figure  into  stone. 

At  length,  the  sage  of  the  Delawares  stretched  forth  an 
arm,  and  leaning  on  the  shoulders  of  his  attendants,  he  arose 
with  an  air  as  feeble  as  if  another  age  had  already  intervened 


/ 
THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


349 


between  the  man  who, had  met  his  nation  the  preceding  day, 
and  him  who  now  tottered  on  his  elevated  stand. 

"Men  of  the  Lenape ! "  he  said,  in  hollow  tcnes,  that 
sounded  like  a  voice  charged  with  some  prophetic  mission  ; 
•'  the  face  of  the  Manitto  is  behind  a  cloud  !  his  eye  is  turned 
from  you  ;  his  ears  are  shut ;  his  tongue  gives  no  answer. 
You  see  him  not ;  yet  his  judgments  are  before  you.  Let 
four  hearts  be  open,  and  your  spirits  tell  no  He.  Men  of  the 
Lenape  !  the  face  of  the  Manitto  is  behind  a  cloud." 

As  this  simple  and  yet  terrible  annunciation  stole  on  the 
ears  of  the  multitude,  a  stillness  as  deep  and  awful  succeeded, 
as  if  the  venerated  spirit  they  "worshipped  had  uttered  the 
Words  without  the  aid  of  human  organs  ;  and  even  the  inan- 
imate Uncas  appeared  a  being  of  life,  compared  with  the 
tumbled  and  submissive  throng  by  whom  he  was  surrounded. 
As  the  immediate  effect,  however,  gradually  passed  away,  a 
low  murmur  of  voices  commenced  a  sort  of  chant  in  honor  of 
the  dead.  The  sounds  were  those  of  females,  and  were  thrill- 
ingly  soft  and  wailing.  The  words  were  connected  by  no 
regular  continuation,  but  as  one  ceased  another  tojk  up  the 
eulogy,  or  lamentation,  whichever  it  might  be  called,  and 
gave  vent  to  her  emotions  in  such  language  as  was  suggested 
by  her  feelings  and  the  occasion.  At  intervals  the  speaker 
was  interrupted  by  general  and  loud  bursts  of  sorrow,  during 
which  the  girls  around  the  bier  of  Cora  plucked  the  plants 
and  flowers  blindly  from  her  body,  as  if  bewildered  with 
grief.  But,  in  the  milder  moments  of  their  plaint,  these  em- 
blems of  purity  and  sweetness  were  cast  back  to  their  places, 
with  every  sign  of  tenderness  and  regret.  Though  rendered 
less  connected  by  many  and  general  interruptions  and  out- 
breakings,  a  translation  of  their  language  would  have  con- 
tained a  regular  descant,  which,  in  substance,  might  have 
proved  to  possess  a  train  of  consecutive  ideas. 

A  girl,  selected  for  the  task  by  her  rank  and  qualifica- 
tions, commenced  by  modest  allusions  to  the  qualities  of  the 
deceased  warrior,  embellishing  her  expressions  with  those  ori- 
ental images  that  the  Indians  have  probably  brought  with 
them  from  the  extremes  of  the  other  continent,  and  which 
form  of  themselves  a  link  to  connect  the  ancient  histories  of 
the  two  worlds.  She  called  him  the  "panther  of  his  tribe  : " 
and  described  him  as  one  whose  moccasin  left  no  trail  on  the 
dews  ;  whose  bound  was  like  the  leap  of  the  young  fawn  \ 
whose  eye  was  brighter  than  a  star  in  the  dark  night ;  and 
Whose  voice,  in  battle,  was  loud  as  the  thunder  of  the  Manitto, 


3£0  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

She  reminded  him  of  the  mother  who  bore  him,  and  dwelt 
forcibly  on  the  happiness  she  must  feel  in  possessing  such  a 
son.  She  bade  him  tell  her,  when  they  met  in  the  world  of 
spirits,  that  the  Delaware  girls  had  shed  tears  above  the 
grave  of  her  child,  and  had  called  her  blessed. 

Then,  they  who  succeeded,  changing  their  tones  to  a 
milder  and  still  more  tender  strain,  alluded,  with  the  delicacy 
and  sensitiveness  of  women,  to  the  stranger  maiden,  who  had 
left  the  upper  earth  at  a  time  so  near  his  own  departure,  as 
to  render  the  will  of  the  Great  Spirit  too  manifest  to  be  disre 
garded.  They  admonished  him  to  be  kind  to  her,  and  to 
have  consideration  for  her  ignorance  of  those  arts  which  were 
so  necessary  to  the  comfort  of  a  warrior  like  himself.  They 
dwelt  upon  her  matchless  beauty,  and  on  her  noble  resolu- 
tion, without  the  taint  of  envy,  and  as  angels  may  be  thought 
to  delight  in  a  superior  excellence ;  adding,  that  these  endow 
ments  should  prove  more  than  equivalent  for  any  little  imper- 
fections in  her  education. 

After  which,  others  again,  in  due  succession,  spoke  to  the 
maiden  herself,  in  the  low,  soft  language  of  tenderness  and 
love.  They  exhorted  her  to  be  of  cheerful  mind,  and  to  fear 
nothing  for  her  future  welfare.  A  hunter  would  be  her  com- 
panion, who  knew  how  to  provide  for  her  smallest  wants  ;  and 
a  warrior  was  at  her  side  who  was  able  to  protect  her  against 
every  danger.  They  promised  that  her  path  should  be  pleas- 
ant, and  her  burden  light.  They  cautioned  her  against  una- 
vailing regrets  for  the  friends  of  her  youth,  and  the  scenes 
where  her  fathers  had  dwelt ;  assuring  her  that  the  "  blessed 
hunting-grounds  of  the  Lenape  "  contained  vales  as  pleasant, 
streams  as  pure,  and  flowers  as  sweet,  as  the  "  Heaven  of  the 
pale-faces."  They  advised  her  to  be  attentive  to  the  wants 
of  her  companion,  and  never  to  forget  the  distinction  which 
the  Manitto  had  so  wisely  established  between  them.  Then, 
in  a  wild  burst  of  their  chant,  they  sang  with  united  voices 
the  temper  of  the  Mohican's  mind.  They  pronounced  him 
noble,  manly,  and  generous ;  all  that  became  a  warrior,  and 
all  that  a  maid  might  love.  Clothing  their  ideas  in  the  most 
remote  and  subtle  images,  they  betrayed,  that,  in  the  short 
period  of  their  intercourse,  they  had  discovered,  with  the  in 
tuitive  perception  of  their  sex,  the  truant  disposition  of  his  in- 
clinations. The  Delaware  girls  had  found  no  favor  in  his 
eyes.  He  was  of  a  race  that  had  once  been  lords  on  the 
shores  of  the  salt  lake,  and  his  wishes  had  led  him  back  to  a 
ueople  who  dwelt  about  the  graves  of  his  fathers.  Why 


TffE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  35 1 

should  not  such  a  predilection  be  encouraged  ?  That  she 
was  of  a  blood  purer  and  richer  than  the  rest  of  her  nation, 
any  eye  might  have  seen  ;  that  she  was  equal  to  the  dangers 
and  daring  of  ;i  life  in  the  woods,  her  conduct  had  proved  j 
and  now,  they  added,  the  "  wise  one  of  the  earth  "  had  trans- 
planted her  to  a  place  wher.e  she  would  find  congenial  spirits, 
and  might  be  forever  happy. 

Then,  with  another  transition  in  voice  and  subject,  allusions 
were  made  to  the  virgin  who  wept  in  the  adjacent  lodge. 
They  compared  her  to  flakes  of  snow  ;  as  pure,  as  white,  as 
brilliant,  and  as  liable  to  melt  in  the  fierce  heats  of  summer, 
or  congeal  in  the  frosts  of  winter.  They  doubted  not  that  she 
was  lovely  in  the  eyes  of  the  young  chief,  whose  skin  and  whose 
sorrow  seemed  so  like  her  own  ;  but,  though  far  from  express- 
ing such  a  preference,  it  was  evident  they  deem'd  her  less  ex- 
cellent than  the  maid  they  mourned.  Still  they  denied  her  no 
meed  her  rare  charms  might  properly  claim.  Her  ringlets 
were  compared  to  the  exuberant  tendrils  of  the  vine,  her  eye 
to  the  blue  vault  of  the  heavens,  and  the  most  spotless  cloud, 
with  its  glowing  flash  of  the  sun,  was  admitted  to  be  less 
attractive  than  her  bloom. 

During  these  and  similar  songs  nothing  was  audible  but 
the  murmurs  of  the  music  ;  relieved,  as  it  was,  or  rather  ren- 
dered terrible,  by  those  occasional  bursts  of  grief  which  might 
be  called  its  choruses.  The  Delawares  themselves  listened 
like  charmed  men  ;  and  it  was  very  apparent,  by  the  variations 
of  their  speaking  countenances,  how  deep  and  true  was  their 
sympathy.  Even  David  was  not  reluctant  to  lend  his  ears  to 
the  tones  of  voices  so  sweet ;  and  long  ere  the  chant  was  ended, 
his  gaze  announced  that  his  soul  was  enthralled. 

The  scout,  to  whom  alone,  of  all  the  white  men,  the  words 
were  intelligible,  suffered  himself  to  be  aroused  from  his 
meditative  posture,  and  bent  his  face  aside,  to  catch  their 
meaning,  as  the  girls  proceeded.  But  when  they  spoke  of  the 
future  prospects  of  Cora  and  Uncas,  he  shook  his  head,  like 
one  who  knew  the  error  of  their  simple  creed,  arid  resuming 
his  reclining  attitude,  he  maintained  it  until  the  ceremony — if 
that  might  be  called  a  ceremony,  in  which  feeling  was  so  deeply 
imbued — was  finished.  Happily  for  the  self-command  of  both 
Heyward  and  Munro,  they  knew,  not  the  meaning  of  the  wild 
sounds  they  heard. 

Chingachgook  was  a  solitary  exception  to  the  interest 
manifested  by  the  native  part  of  the  audience.  His  look 
never  changed  throughout  the  whole  of  the  scene,  nor  did  a 


352 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


muscle  move  in  his  rigid  countenance,  even  at  the  wildest  oi 
the  most  pathetic  parts  of  the  lementation.  The  cold  and 
senseless  remains  of  his  son  was  all  to  him,  and  every  other 
sense  but  that  of  sight  seemed  frozen,  in  order  that  his  eyes 
might  take  their  final  gaze  at  those  lineaments  he  had  so  long 
loved,  and  which  were  now  about  to  be  closed  forever  from 
his  view. 

In  this  stage  of  the  funeral  obsequies,  a  warrior  much  re- 
nowned for  deeds  in  arms,  and  more  especially  for  services 
in  the  recent  combat,  a  man  of  stern  and  grave  demeanor, 
advanced  slowly  from  the  crowd,  and  placed  himself  nigh  the 
person  of  the  dead. 

"  Why  hast  thou  left  us,  pride  of  the  Wapanachki  ? "  he 
said,  addressing  himself  to  the  dull  ears  of  Uncas,  as  if  the 
empty  clay  retained  the  faculties  of  the  animated  man  ;  "  thy 
time  has  been  like  that  of  the  sun  when  in  the  trees  ;  thy  glory 
brighter  than  his  light  at  noon-day.  Thou  art  gone,  youthful 
warrior,  but  a  hundred  Wyandots  are  clearing  the  briers  from 
thy  path  to  the  world  of  spirits.  Who  that  saw  thee  in  battle 
could  believe  that  thou  couldst  die  ?  Who  before  thee  has 
ever  shown  Uttawa  the  way  into  the  fight  ?  Thy  feet  were 
like  the  wings  of  eagles ;  thine  arm  heavier  than  fallen 
branches  from  the  pine ;  and  thy  voice  like  the  Manitto  when 
he  speaks  in  the  clouds.  The  tongue  of  Uttawa  is  weak,"  he 
added,  looking  about  him  with  a  melancholy  gaze,  "  and  his 
heart  exceeding  heavy.  Pride  of  the  Wapanachki,  why  hast 
thou  left  us  ?  " 

He  was  succeeded  by  others,  in  due  order,  until  most  of 
the  high  and  gifted  men  of  the  nation  had  sung  or  spoken  their 
tribute  of  praise  over  the  manes  of  the  deceased  chief.  When 
each  had  ended,  another  deep  and  breathing  silence  reigned 
in  all  the  place. 

Then  a  low,  deep  sound  was  heard,  like  the  suppressed 
accompaniment  of  distant  music,  rising  just  high  enough  on 
the  air  to  be  audible,  and  yet  so  indistinctly,  as  to  leave  its 
character,  and  the  place  whence  it  proceeded,  alike  matters 
of  conjecture.  It  was,  however,  succeeded  by  another  and 
another  strain,  each  in  a  higher  key,  until  they  grew  on  the  ear, 
first  in  long  drawn  and  often  repeated  interjections,  and  finally 
in  words.  The  lips  of  Chingachgook  had  so  far  parted,  as  to 
announce  that  it  was  the  monody  of  the  father.  Though  not 
an  eye  was  turned  towards  him,  nor  the  smallest  sign  of  im- 
patience exhibited,  it  was  apparent,  by  the  manner  in  which 
the  multitude  elevated  their  heads  to "  listen,  that  they  drank 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS.  35 j 

Jn  the  sounds  with  an  intenseness  of  attention,  that  none  but 
Tamenund  himself  had  ever  before  commanded.  But  they 
listened  in  vain.  The  strains  rose  just  so  loud  as  to  become 
intelligible,  and  then  grew  fainter  and  more  trembling,  until 
they  finally  sank  on  the  ear,  as  if  borne  away  by  a  passing 
breath  of  wind.  The  lips  of  the  Sagamore  closed,  and  he  re- 
mained silent  in  his  seat,  looking,  with  his  riveted  eye  and 
motionless  form,  like  some  creature  that  had  been  turned  from 
the  Almighty  hand  with  the  form  but  without  the  spirit  of  a 
man.  The  Delawares,  who  knew  by  these  symptoms  that  the 
mind  of  their  friend  was  not  prepared  for  so  mighty  an  effort 
of  fortitude,  relaxed  in  their  attention  ;  and,  with  an  innate 
delicacy,  seemed  to  bestow  all  their  thoughts  on  the  obsequies 
of  the  stranger  maiden. 

A  signal  was  given,  by  one  of  the  elder  chiefs,  to  the 
women,  who  crowded  that  part  of  the  circle  near  which  the 
body  of  Cora  lay.  Obedient  to  the  sign,  the  girls  raised  the 
bier  to  the  elevation  of  their  heads,  and  advanced  with  slow 
and  regulated  steps,  chanting,  as  they  proceeded,  another 
wailing  song  in  praise  of  the  deceased.  Gamut,  who  had 
been  a  close  observer  of  rites  he  deemed  so  heathenish,  now 
bent  his  head  over  the  shoulder  of  the  unconscious  father, 
whispering, — 

"  They  move  with  the  remains  of  thy  child  ;  shall  we  not 
follow,  and  see  them  interred  with  Christian  burial  ?  " 

Munro  started,  as  if  the  last  trumpet  had  sounded  in  his 
ear,  and  bestowing  one  anxious  and  hurried  glance  around 
him,  he  arose  and  followed  in  the  simple  train,  with  the  mien 
of  a  soldier,  but  bearing  the  full  burden  of  a  parent's  suffering. 
His  friends  pressed  around  him  with  a  sorrow  that  was  too 
strong  to  be  termed  sympathy — even  the  young  Frenchman 
joining  in  the  procession,  with  the  air  of  a  man  who  was 
sensibly  touched  at  the  early  and  melancholy  fate  of  one  so 
lovely.  But  when  the  last  and  humblest  female  of  the  tribe 
had  joined  in  the  wild,  and  yet  ordered  array,  the  men  -of  the 
Lenape  contracted  their  circle,  and  formed  again,  around  the 
person  of  Uncas,  as  silent,  as  grave,  and  as  motionless  as  be- 
fore. 

The  place  which  had  been  chosen  for  the  grave  of  Cora 
was  a  little  knoll,  where  a  cluster  of  young  and  healthful  pines 
had  taken  root,  forming  of  themselves  a  melancholy  and  ap- 
propriate shade  over  the  spot.  On  reaching  it  the  girls  de- 
posited their  burden,  and  continued  for  ma^y  minutes  waiting, 
with  characteristic  patience,  and  native  timidity,  for  some 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

evidence  that  they  whose  feelings  were  most  concerned  were 
Content  with  the  arrangement.  At  length  the  scout,  who 
alone  understood  their  habits,  said,  in  their  own  language, — 

"  My  daughters  have  done  well  ;  the  white  men  thank 
them."  ' 

Satisfied  with  this  testimony  in  their  favor,  the  girls  pro- 
ceeded to  deposit  the  body  in  a  shell,  ingeniously,  and  not 
inelegantly  fabricated  of  the  bark  of  the  birch  ;  after  which 
they  lowered  it  into  its  dark  and  final  abode.  The  ceremony 
of  covering  the  remains,  and  concealing  the  marks  of  the 
fresh  earth,  by  leaves  and  other  natural  and  customary  objects, 
was  conducted  with  the  same  simple  and  silent  forms-  But 
when  the  labors  of  the  kind  beings  who  had  performed  these 
sad  and  friendly  offices  were  so  far  completed,  they  hesitated, 
in  a  way  to  show  that  they  knew  not  how  much  further  they 
might  proceed.  It  was  in  this  stage  of  the  rites  that  the  scout 
again  addressed  them. 

"  My  young  women  have  done  enough,"  he  said  ;  "  the 
spirit  of  a  pale-face  has  no  need  of  food  or  raiment — their 
gifts  being  according  to  the  heaven  of  their  color.  I  see," 
he  added,  glancing  an  eye  at  David,  who  was  preparing  his 
book  in  a  manner  that  indicated  an  intention  to  lead  the  way 
in  sacred  song,  "  that  one  who  better  knows  the  Christian 
fashions  is  about  to  speak." 

The  females  stood  modestly  aside,  and,  from  having  been 
the  principal  actors  in  the  scene,  they  now  became  the  meek 
and  attentive  observers  of  that  which  followed.  During  the 
time  David  was  occupied  in  pouring  out  the  pious  feelings  of 
his  spirit  in  this  manner,  not  a  sign  of  surprise,  nor  a  look  of 
impatience,  escaped  them.  They  listened  like  those  who 
knew  the  meaning  of  the  strange  words,  and  appeared  as  if 
they  felt  the  mingled  emotions  of  sorrow,  hope  and  resignation, 
they  were  intended  to  convey. 

Excited  by  the  scene  he  had  just  witnessed,  and  perhaps 
influenced  by  his  own  secret  emotions,  the  master  of  song  ex- 
ceeded his  usual  efforts.  His  full,  rich  voice  was  not  found 
to  suffer  by  a  comparison  with  the  soft  tones  of  the  girls  ; 
and  his  more  modulated  strains  possessed,  at  least  for  the  ears 
of  those  to  whom  they  were  peculiarly  addressed,  the  addi- 
tional power  of  intelligence.  He  ended  the  anthem,  as  he 
had  commenced,  it  in  the  midst  of  a  grave  and  solemn  stillness. 

When,  however,  the  closing  cadence  had  fallen  on  the 
ears  of^his  auditors,  the  secret,  timorous  glances  of  the  eyes, 
and  the  general,  and  yet  subdued  movement  of  the  assem- 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


355 


blage,  betrayed  that  something  was  expected  from  the  father 
of  the  deceased.  Munro  seemed  sensible  that  the  time  was 
<»me  for  him  to  exert  what  is,  perhaps,  the  greatest  effort  of 
which  human  nature  is  capable.  He  bared  his  gray  locks, 
and  looked  around  the  timid  and  quiet  throng  by  which  he 
was  encircled  with  a  firm  and  collected  countenance.  Then 
motioning  with  his  hand  for  the  scout  to  listen,  he  said, — 

"  Say  to  these  kind  and  gentle  females,  that  a  heart- 
broken and  failing  man  returns  them  his  thanks.  Tell  them. 
that  the  Being  we  all  worship,  under  different  names,  will  be 
mindful  of  their  charity  ;  and  that  the  time  shall  not  be  dis- 
tant when  we  may  assemble  around  his  throne  without  dis- 
tinction of  sex,  or  rank,  or  color." 

The  scout  listened  to  the  tremulous  voice  in  which  the 
veteran  delivered  these  words,  and  shook  his  head  slowly 
when  they  were  ended,  as  one  who  doubted  their  efficacy. 

"  To  tell  them  this,"  he  said,  "  would  be  to  tell  them  that 
the  snows  come  not  in  winter,  or  that  the  sun  shines  fiercest 
when  the  trees  are  stripped  of  their  leaves." 

Then  turning  to  the  women,  he  made  such  a  communica- 
tion of  the  other's  gratitude  as  he  deemed  most  suited  to  the 
capacities  of  his  listeners.  The  head  of  Munro  had  already 
sunk  upon  his  chest,  and  he  was  again  fast  relapsing  into  mel- 
ancholy, when  the  young  Frenchman  before  named  ventured 
to  touch  him  lightly  on  the  elbow.  As  soon  as  he  had  gained 
the  attention  of  the  mourning  old  mail  he  pointed  towards,  a 
group  of  young  Indians,  who  approached  with  a  light  but 
closely  covere.d  litter  and  then  pointed  upwards  towards  the 
sun. 

"I  understand  you,  sir,"  returned  Munro,  with  a  voice  of 
forced  firmness  ;  "  I  understand  you.  It  is  the  will  of  Heaven, 
and  I  submit.  Cora,  my  child  !  if  the  prayers  of  a  heart- 
broken father  could  avail  thee  now,  how  blessed  shouldst  thou 
be  !  Come,  gentlemen,"  he  added,  looking  about'him  with  an 
air  of  lofty  composure,  though  the  anguish  that  quivered  in 
his  faded  countenance  was  far  too  powerful  to  be  concealed, 
"our  duty  here  is  ended  ;  let  us  depart." 

Heyward  gladly  obeyed  a  summons  that  took  them  from  a 
spot  where,  each  instant,  he  felt  his  self-control  was  about  to 
desert  him.  While  his  companions  were  mounting,  however, 
he  found  time  to  press  the  hand  of  the  scout,  and  to  repeat  the 
terms  of  an  engagement  they  had  made,  to  meet  again  within 
the  post  of  the  British  army.  Then  gladly  throwing  himself 
into  the  saddle,  he  sparred  his  charge  to  the  side  of  the  litter, 


356  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

whence  low  and  stifled  sobs  alone  announced  the  presence  ol 
Alice.  In  this  manner,  the  head  of  Munro  again  dropping 
on  his  bosom,  with  Heyward  and  David  following  in  sorrowing 
silence,  and  attended  by  the  aide  of  Montcalm  with  his  guard, 
all  the  white  men,  with  the  exception  of  Hawk-eye,  passed  be- 
fore the  eyes  of  the  Delawares,  and  were  soon  buried  in  the  vast 
forests  of  that  region. 

But  the  tie  which,  through  their  common  calamity,  had 
united  the  feelings  of  these  simple  dwellers  in  the  woods  witl. 
the  strangers  who  had  thus  transiently  visited  them,  was  not 
so  easily  broken.  Years  passed  away  before  the  traditionary 
tale  of  the  white  maiden,  and  of  the  young  warrior  of  the 
Mohicans,  ceased  to  beguile  the  long  nights  and  tedious 
marches,  or  to  animate  their  youthful  and  brave  with  a  desire 
for  vengeance.  Neither  were  the  secondary  actors  in  these 
momentous  incidents  forgotten.  Through  the  medium  of  the 
scout,  who  served  for  years  afterwards  as  a  link  between  them 
and  civilized  life,  they  learned,  in  answer  to  their  inquiries, 
that  the  "  Gray-head  "  was  speedily  gathered  to  his  fathers — • 
borne  down,  as  was  erroneously  believed,  by  his  military  mis- 
fortunes ,  and  that  the  "  Open  Hand "  had  conveyed  his 
surviving  daughter  far  into  the  settlements  of  the  "  pale-faces," 
where  her  tears  had  at  last  ceased  to  flow,  and  had  been 
succeeded  by  the  bright  smiles  which  were  better  'suited  to 
her  joyous  nature. 

t  But  these  were  events  of  a  time  later  than  that  which  con- 
cerns our  tale.  Deserted  by  all  of  his  color,  Hawk-eye  re- 
turned to  the  spot  where  his  own  sympathies  led  him,  with  a 
force  that  no  ideal  bond  of  union  could  bestow.  He  was  just 
in  time  to  catch  a  parting  look  of  the  features  of  Uncas,  whom 
the  Delawares  were  already  inclosing  in  his  last  vestments  of 
skins.  They  paused  to  permit  the  longing  and  lingering  gaze 
of  the  sturdy  woodsman,  and  when  it  was  ended  the  body  was 
enveloped,  never  to  be  unclosed  again.  Then  came  a  pro- 
cession like  the  other,  and  the  whole  nation  was  collected 
about  the  temporary  grave  of  the  chief — temporary,  because  it 
was  proper,  that  at  some  future  day,  his  bones  should  rest 
among  those  of  his  own  people. 

The  movement,  like  the  feeling,  had  been  simultaneous 
and  general.  -The  same  grave  expression  of  grief,  the  same 
rigid  silence,  and  the  same  deference  to  the  principal  mourner, 
were  observed  around  the  place  of  interment  as  have  been 
already  described.  The  body  was  deposited  in  an  attitude  of 
repose,  facing  the  rising  sun,  with  the  implements  of  war  and 


THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 


357 


Of  the  chase  at  hand,  in  readiness  for  the  final  journey.  An 
opening  was  left  in  the  shell,  by  which  it  was  protected  from 
the  soil,  for  the  spirit  to  communicate  with  its  earthly  tenement, 
when  necessary  ;  and  the  whole  was  concealed  from  the  in* 
stinct,  and  protected  from  the  ravages  of  the  beasts  of  prey, 
with  an  ingenuity  peculiar  to  the  natives.  The  manual  rites 
then  ceased,  and  all  present  reverted  to  the  more  spiritual 
part  of  the  ceremonies. 

Chingachgook  became  once  more  the  object  of  the  common 
attention.  He  had  not  yet  spoken,  and  something  consolatory 
and  instructive  was  expected  from  so  renowned  a  chief  on  an 
occasion  of  such  interest.  Conscious  of  the  wishes  of  the 
people,  the  stern  and  self-restrained  warrior  raised  his  face, 
which  latterly  had  been  buried  in  his  robe,  and  looked  about 
him  with  a  steady  eye.  His  firmly  compressed  and  expressive 
lips  then  severed,  and  for  the  first  time  during  the  long  ceremo- 
nies his  voice  was  distinctly  audible. 

"  Why  do  my  brothers  mourn  ?  "  he  said,  regarding  the 
dark  race  of  dejected  warriors  by  whom  he  was  environed; 
"  why  do  my  daughters  weep  ?  that  a  young  man  has  gone  to 
the  happy  hunting-grounds,  that  a  chief  has  filled  his  time 
with  honor  ?  He  was  good,  he  was  dutiful,  he  was  brave. 
Who  can  deny  it  ?  The  Manitto  had  need  of  such  a  warrior, 
and  he  has  called  him  away.  As  for  me,  the  son  and  the 
father  of  Uncas,  I  am  a  blazed  pine,  in  a  clearing  of  the  pale- 
faces. My  race  has  g«ne  from  the  shores  of  the  salt  lake,  and 
the  hills  of  the  Delawares  But  who  can  say  that  the  serpent 
of  his  tribe  has  forgotten  his  wisdom  ?  I  am  alone — " 

"  No,  no,"  cried  Hawk-eye,  who  had  been  gazing  with  a 
3>-earning  look  at  the  rigid  features  of  his  friend,  with  something 
like  his  own  self-command,  but  whose  philosophy  could  endure 
no  longer ;  "  no,  Sagamore,  not  alone.  The  gifts  of  our 
colors  may  be  different,  but  God  has  so  placed  us  as  to 
journey  in  the  same  path.  I  have  no  kin,  and  I  may  also  say, 
like  you,  no  people.  He  was  your  son  and  a  recUskin  by  na-< 
ture  ;  and  it  may  be  that  your  blood  was  nearer — but  if  ever  I 
forget  the  lad  who  has  so  often  fou't  at  my  side  in  war,  and 
slept  at  my  side  in  peace,  may  He  who  made  us  all,  whatever 
may  be  our  color  or  our  gifts,  forget  me.  The  boy  has  left  us 
for  a  time  ;  but,  Sagamore,  you. are  not  alone." 

Chingachgook  grasped  the  hand  that,  in  the  warmth  of 
feeling,  the  scout  had  stretched  across  the  fresh  earth,  and  in 
that  attitude  of  friendship  these  two  sturdy  and  intrepid 
yoodsmen  bowed  their  heads  together,  while  scalding  tears 


358  THE  LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS. 

fell  to  their  feet,  watering  the  grave  of  Uncas  like  drops  of 
falling  rain. 

In  the  miclst  of  the  awful  stillness  with  which  such  a 
burst  of  feeling,  coming,  as  it  did,  from  the  two  most  re- 
nowned warriors  of  that  region,  was  received,  Tamenund  lifted 
his  voice  to  disperse  the  multitude. 

"  It  is  .enough,"  he  said.  "  Go,  children  of  the  Lenape, 
the  anger  of  the  Manitto  is  not  done.  Why  should  Tamenund 
stay  ?  The  pale-faces  are  masters  of  the  earth,  and  the  time 
of  the  red-men  has  not  yet  come  again.  My  day  has  been 
too  long.  In  the  morning  I  saw  the  sons  of  Unarms  happy 
and  strong ;  and  yet,  before  the  night  has  come,  have  I  lived 
to  J*ee  the  last  warrior  of  the  wise  vace  of  the  Mohican*" 


at 


«' '  Up  and  away,  Chingachgook  !  will  ye  stay  here  to  burn  like  a  Mingo- 
the  stake  ?  '  " — Tht  Pioneers,  page  385. 


THE    PIONEERS 


SOURCES  OF  THE  SUSQUEHANNA 


A    DESCRIPTIVE    TALE 


BY 

J.    FENIMORE    COOPER 


"  Extremes  of  habits,  manners,  time,  and  space, 
Brought  close  together,  here  stood  face  to  face, 
And  gave  at  once  a  contrast  to  the  view, 
That  other  lands  and  ages  never  knew." — PAUI.DING 


INTRODUCTION. 


As  this  work  professes,  in  its  title-page,  to  be  a  descrip* 
tive  tale,  they  who  will  take  the  trouble  to  read  it  may  be 
glad  to  know  how  much  of  its  contents  is  literal  fact,  and 
how  much  is  intended  to  represent  a  general  picture.  The 
author  is  very  sensible  that,  had  he  confined  himself  to 
the  latter,  always  the  most  effective,  as  it  is  the  most  val- 
uable, mode  of  conveying  knowledge  of  this  nature,  he 
would  have  made  a  far  better  book.  But  in  commencing 
to  describe  scenes,  and  perhaps  he  may  add  characters, 
that  were  so  familiar  to  his  own  youth,  there  was  a  constant 
temptation  to  delineate  that  which  he  had  known,  rathet 
than  that  which  he  might  have  imagined.  This  rigid  ad 
hesion  to  truth,  an  indispensable  requisite  in'  history  and 
travels,  destroys  the  charm  of  fiction  ;  for  all  that  is  neces 
saiy  to  be  conveyed  to  the  mind  by  the  latter  had  better 
be  done  by  delineations  of  principles,  and  of  characters 
in  their  classes,  than  by  a  too  fastidious  attention  to  orig- 
inals. 

New  York  having  but  one  county  of  Otsego,  and  the 
Susquehanna  but  one  proper  source,  there  can  be  no  mis- 
take as  to  the  site  of  the  tale.  The  history  of  this  district 
of  country,  so  far  as  it  is  connected  with  civilized  men,  is 
soon  told. 

Otsego,  in  common  with  most  of  the  interior  of  the 
province  of  New  York,  was  included  in  the  county  of  Al- 
bany previously  to  the  war  of  the  separation.  It  then 
became,  in  a  subsequent  division  of  territory,  a  part  of 
Montgomery ;  and  finally,  having  obtained  a  sufficient 
population  of  its  own,  it  was  set  apart  as  a  county  by  itself 
shortly  after  the  peace  of  1783.  It  lies  among  those  low 
spurs  of  the  Alleghanies  which  cover  the  midland  counties 
of  New  York,  and  it  is  a  little  east  of  a  meridional  line 
drawn  through  the  centre  of  the  State.  As  the  waters  of 
New  York  flow  either  southerly  into  the  Atlantic  or  north- 


4  INTRODUCTION. 

erly  into  Ontario  and  its  outlet,  Otsego  Lake,  being  the 
source  of  the  Susquehanna,  is,  of  necessity,  among  its 
highest  lands.  The  face  of  the  country,  the  climate  as 
it  was  found  by  the  whites,  and  the  manners  of  the  set- 
tlers, are  described  with  a  minuteness  for  which  the 
author  has  no  other  apology  than  the  force  of  his  own 
recollections. 

Otsego  is  said  to  be  a  \vord  compounded  of  Ot,  a  place 
of  meeting,  and  Sego,  or  Sago,  the  ordinary  term  of  salu- 
tation used  by  the  Indians  of  this  region.  There  is  a 
tradition  which  says  that  the  neighboring  tribes  were  ac- 
customed to  meet  on  the  banks  of  the  lake  to  make  their 
treaties,  and  otherwise  to  strengthen  their  alliances,  and 
which  refers  the  name  to  this  practice.  As  the  Indian 
agent  of  New  York  had  a  log  dwelling  at  the  foot  of  the 
lake,  however,  it  is  not  impossible  that  the  appellation  grew 
out  of  the  meetings  that  were  held  at  his  council  fires  ; 
the  war  drove  off  the  agent,  in  common  with  the  other 
officers  of  the  crown  ;  and  his  rude  dwelling  was  soon 
abandoned.  The  author  remembers  it,  a  few  years  later, 
reduced. to  the  humble  office  of  a  smoke-house. 

In  1779  an  expedition  was  sent  against  the  hostile  In- 
dians, who  dwelt  about  a  hundred  miles  west  of  Otsego, 
on  the  banks  of  the  Cayuga.  The  whole  country  was  then 
awilderness,  and  it  was  necessary  to  transport  the  baggage 
of  the  troops  by  means  of  the  rivers — a  devious  but  prac- 
ticable route.  One  brigade  ascended  the  Mohawk  until 
it  reached  the  point  nearest  to  the  sources  of  the  Susque- 
hanna, wThence  it  cut  a  lane  through  the  forest  to  the  head 
of  the  Otsego.  The  boats  and  baggage  were  carried  over 
this  "portage,"  and  the  troops  proceeded  to  the  other  ex- 
tremity of  the  lake,  where  they  disembarked  and  encamped. 
The  Susquehanna,  a  narrow  though  rapid  stream  at  its 
source,  was  much  filled  with  "flood  wood,"  orfallen  trees; 
and  the  troops  adopted  a  novel  expedient  to  facilitate 
their  passage.  The  Otsego  is  about  nine  miles  in  length, 
varying  in  breadth  from  half  a  mile  to  a  mile  and  a  half. 
The  water  is  of  great  depth,  limpid,  and  supplied  from  a 
thousand  springs.  At  its  foot  the  banks  are  rather  less 
than  thirty  feet  high  ;  the  remainder  of  its.  margin  bein-g 
in  mountains,  intervals,  and  points.  The  outlet,  or  the 
Susquehanna,  flows  through  a  gorge,  in  the  low  banks  just 
mentioned,  which  may  have  a  width  of  two  hundred  feet. 
This  gorge  was  dammed  and  the  waters  of  the  lake  col- 


INTRODUCTION:  5 

lected  :  the  Susquehanna  was  converted  into  a  rill.  When 
all  was  ready  the  troops  embarked,  the  dam  was  knocked 
away,  the  Otsego  poured  out  its  torrent,  and  the  boats  went 
merrily  down  with  the  current. 

General  James  Clinton,  the  brother  of  George  Clinton, 
then  Governor  of  New  York,  and  the  father  of  De  Witt 
Clinton,  who  died  governor  of  the  same  State  in  1827, 
commanded  the  brigade  employed  on  this  duty.  During 
the  stay  of  the  troops  at  the  foot  of  the  Otsego  a  soldier 
was  shot  for  desertion.  The  grave  of  this  unfortunate  man 
was  the  first  place  of  human  interment  that  the  author 
ever  beheld,  as  the  smoke-house  was  the  first  ruin  !  The 
swivel  alluded  to  in  this  work  was  buried  and  abandoned 
by  the  troops  on  this  occasion,  and  it  was  subsequently 
found  in  digging  the  cellars  of  the  author's  ^paternal  resi- 
dence. 

Soon  after  the  close  of  the  war,  Washington,  accom- 
panied by  many  distinguished  men,  visited  the  scene  of 
this  tale,  it  is  said  with  a  view  to  examine  the  facilities  for 
opening  a  communication  by  water  with  other  points  of 
the  country.  He  stayed  but  a  few  hours. 

In  1785  the  author's  father,  who  had  an  interest  in  ex- 
tensive tracts  of  land  in  this  wilderness,  arrived  with  a 
party  of  surveyors.  The  manner  in  which  the  scene  met 
his  eye  is  described  by  Judge  Temple.  At  the  commence- 
ment of  the  following  year  the  settlement  began  ;  and  from 
that  time  to  this  the  country  has  continued  to  flourish.  It 
is  a  singular  feature  in  American  life,  that  at  the  begin- 
ning of  this  century,  when  the  proprietor  of  the  estate  had 
occasion  for  settlers  on  a  new  settlement,  and  in  a  remote 
county,  he  was  enabled  to  draw  them  from  among  the  in- 
crease of  the  former  colony. 

Although  the  settlement  of  this  part  of  Otsego  a  little 
preceded  the  birth  of  the  author,  it  was  not.  sufficiently 
advanced  to  render  it  desirable  that  an  event  so  important 
to  himself  should  take  place  in  the  wilderness.  Perhaps 
his  mother  had  a  reasonable  distrust  of  the  practice  of  Dr. 
Todd,  who  must  then  have  been  in  the  novitiate  of  his  ex- 
perimental acquirements.  Be  that  as  it  may,  the  author 
was  brought  an  infant  into  this  valley,  and  all  his  first  im- 
pressions were  here  obtained.  He  has  inhabited  it  ever 
since,  at  intervals  ;  and  he  thinks  he  can  answer  for  the 
faithfulness  of  the  picture  he  has  drawn. 

Otsego  has  now  become  one  of  the  most  populous  dis« 


THE    PIONEERS. 


CHAPTER  L 

'*  See,  Winter  comes,  to  rule  the  varied  year, 
Sullen  and  sad,  with  all  his  rising  train  ; 
Vapors,  and  clouds,  and  storms." — THOMSON. 

NEAR  the  centre  of  the  State  of  New  York  lies  an  exten« 
sive  district  of  country  whose  surface  is  a  succession  of 
hills  and  dales,  or,  to  speak  with  greater  deference  to  geo- 
graphical definitions,  of  mountains  and  valleys.  It  is 
among  these  hills  that  the  Delaware  takes  its  rise  ;  and, 
flowing  from  the  limpid  lakes  and  thousand  springs  of  this 
region,  the  numerous  sources  of  the  Susquehanna  mean- 
der through  the  valleys,  until,  uniting  their  streams,  they 
form  one  of  the  proudest  rivers  of  the  United  States.  The 
mountains  are  generally  arable  to  the  tops,  although  in- 
stances are  not  wanting  where  the  sides  are  jutted  with 
rocks,  that  aid  greatly  in  giving  to  the  country  that  roman- 
tic and  picturesque  character  which  it  so  eminently  pos- 
sesses. The  vales  are  narrow,  rich,  and  cultivated,  with  a 
stream  uniformly  winding  through  each.  Beautiful  and 
thriving  villages  are  found  interspersed  along  the  margins 
of  the  small  lakes,  or  situated  at  those  points  of  the  streams 
which  are  favorable  for  manufacturing  ;  and  neat  and  com- 
fortable farms,  with  every  indication  of  wealth  about  them, 
are  scattered  profusely  through  the  vales,  and  even  to  the 
mountain  tops.  Roads  diverge  in  every  direction  from  the 
even  and  graceful  bottoms  of  the  valleys  to  the  most  rug- 
ged and  intricate  passes  of  the  hills.  Academies  and 
minor  edifices  of  learning  meet  the  eye  of  the  stranger  at 
every  few  miles  as  he  winds  his  way  through  this  uneven 
territory,  and  places  for  the  worship  of  God  abound  with 
that  frequency  which  characterizes  a  moral  and  reflecting 
people,  and  with  that  variety  of  exterior  and  canonical  gov« 


ro  THE  PIONEERS. 

ernment  which  flows  from  unfettered  liberty  of  conscience. 
In  short,  the  whole  district  is  hourly  exhibiting  how  much 
can  be  done,  in  even  a  rugged  country  and  with  a  severe 
climate,  under  the  dominion  of  mild  laws,  and  where  every 
man  feels  a  direct  interest  in  the  prosperity  of  a  common- 
wealth of  which  he  knows  himself  to  form  a  part.  The 
expedients  of  the  pioneers  who  first  broke  ground  in  the 
settlement  of  this  country  are  succeeded  by  the  perma- 
nent improvements  of  the  yeoman  who  intends  to  leave 
his  remains  to  molder  under  the  sod  which  he  tills,  or,  per- 
haps, of  the  son,  who,  born  in  the  land,  piously  wishes  to 
linger  around  the  grave  of  his  father.  Only  forty  years* 
have  passed  since  this  territory  was  a  wilderness. 

Very  soon  after  the  establishment  of  the  independence 
of  the  States  by  the  peace  of  1783,  the  enterprise  of  their 
citizens  was  directed  to  a  development  of  the  natural  ad- 
vantages of  their  widely  extended  dominions.  Before  the 
war  of  the  Revolution,  the  inhabited  parts  of  the  colony 
of  New  York  were  limited  to  less  than  a  tenth  of  its  pos- 
sessions. A  narrow  belt  of  country,  extending  for  a  short 
distance  on  either  side  of  the  Hudson,  with  a  similar  occu- 
pation of  fifty  miles  on  the  banks  of  the  Mohawk,  together 
with  the  islands  of  Nassau  and  Staten,  and  a  few  insulated 
settlements  on  chosen  land  along  the  margins  of  streams, 
composed  the  country,  which  was  then  inhabited  by  less 
than  two  hundred  thousand  souls.  Within  the  short  period 
we  have  mentioned,  the  population  has  spread  itself  over 
five  degrees  of  latitude  and  seven  of  longitude,  and  has 
swelled  to  a  million  and  a  half  of  inhabitants,!  who  are 
maintained  in  abundance,  and  can  look  forward  to  ages 
before  the  evil  day  must  arrive  when  their  possessions 
shall  become  unequal  to  their  wants. 

Our  tale  begins  in  1793,  about  seven  years  after  the 
commencement  of  one  of  the  earliest  of  those  settlements 
which  have  conduced  to  effect  that  magical  change  in  the 
power  and  condition  of  the  State  to  which  we  have  alluded. 

It  was  near  the  setting  of  the  sun,  on  a  clear,  cold  day 
in  December,  when  a  sleigh  was  moving  slowly  up  one  of 
the  mountains,  in  the  district  we  have  described.  The  day 
had  been  fine  for  the  season,  and  but  two  or  three  large 
clouds,  whose  color  seemed  brightened  by  the  light  re- 
fleeted  from  the  mass  of  snow  that  covered  the  earth, 

*  The  book  was  written  in  1823. 

f  The  population  of  New  York  is  now  (1831)  quite  2,000,000. 


THE  PIQj&EERS.  ii 

floated  in  a  sky  of  the  purest  blue.  The  road  wound  along 
the  brow  of  a  precipice,  and  on  one  side  was  upheld  by  a 
foundation  of  logs,  piled  one  upon  the  other,  while  a  nar- 
row excavation  in  the  mountain  in  the  opposite  direction 
had  made  a  passage  of  sufficient  width  for  the  ordinary 
travelling  of  that  day.  But  logs,' excavation,  and  every- 
thing that  did  not  reach  several  feet  above  the  earth  lay 
alike  buried  beneath  the  snow.  A  single  track,  barely 
wide  enough  to  receive  the  sleigh,*  denoted  the  route  of 
the  highway,  and  this  was  sunk  nearly  two  feet  below  the 
surrounding  surface.  In  the  vale,  which  lay  at  a  distance 
of  several  hundred  feet  lower,  there  was  what,  in  the  lan- 
guage of  the  country,  was  called  a  clearing,  and  all  the 
usual  improvements  of  a  new  settlement  ;  these  even  ex- 
tended up  the  hill  to  the  point  where  the  road  turned  short 
and  ran  across  the  level  land,  which  lay  on  the  summit  of 
the  mountain  ;  but  the  summit  itself  remained  in  the  for- 
est. There  was  glittering  in  the  atmosphere,  as  if  it  was 
filled  with  innumerable  shining  particles  ;  and  the  noble 
bay  horses  that  drew  the  sleigh  were  covered,  in  many 
parts,  with  a  coat  of  hoar-frost.  The  vapor  from  their 
nostrils  was  seen  to  issue  like  smoke  ;  and  every  object  in 
the  view,  as  well  as  every  arrangement  of  the  travellers, 
denoted  the  depth  of  a  winter  in  the  mountains.  The 
harness,  which  was  of  a  deep,  dull  black,  differing  from 
the  glossy  varnishing  of  the  present  day,  was  ornamented 
with  enormous  plates  and  buckles  of  brass,  that  shone  like 
gold  in  those  transient  beams  of  the  sun,  which  found  their 
way  obliquely  through  the  tops  of  the  trees.  Huge  sad- 
.dles,  studded  with  nails  and  fitted  writh  cloth  that  served 
as  blankets  to  the  shoulders  of  the  cattle,  supported  four 
high,  square-topped  turrets,  through  which  the  stout  reins 
led  from  the  mouths  of  the  horses  to  the  hands  of  the 
driver,  who  was  a  negro,  of  apparently  twenty  years  of 

*  Sleigh  is  the  word  used  in  every  part  of  the  United  States  to  denote 
a  traineau.  It  is  of  local  use  in  the  west  of  England,  whence  it  is  most 
probably  derived  by  the  Americans.  The  latter  draw  a  distinction  be- 
tween a  sled,  or  sledge,  and  a  sleigh,  the  sleigh  being  shod  with  metal. 
Sleighs  are  also  sub-divided  into  two-horse  and  one-horse  sleighs.  f)f  the 
latter,  there  are  the  cutter,  with  thills  so  arranged  as  to  permit  the  horse 
to  travel  in  the  side  track;  the  "pung,"  or  "tow-pung,"  which  is  driven 
with  a  pole  ;  and  the  "gumper,"  a  rude  construction  used  for  temporary 
purposes  in  the  new  countries.  Many  of  the  American  sleighs  are  elegant, 
though  the  use  of  this  mode  of  conveyance  is  much  lessened  with  the  meli- 
oration of  the  climate  consequent  on  the  clearing  of  the  forests. 


12  THE  PIONEERS. 

age.  His  face,  which  Nature  had  colored  with  a  glisten- 
ing black,  was  now  mottled  with  the  cold,  and  his  large 
shining  eyes  filled  with  tears  ;  a  tribute  to  its  power,  that 
the  keen  frosts  of  those  regions  always  extracted  from  one 
of  his  African  origin.  £till,  there  was  a  smiling  expression 
of  good-humor  in  his  happy  countenance,  that  was  created 
by  the  thoughts  of  home,  and  a  Christmas  fireside,  with  its 
Christmas  frolics.  The  sleigh  was  one  of  those  large, 
comfortable,  old-fashioned  conveyances,  which  would  ad- 
mit a  whole  family  within  its  bosom,  but  which  now  con- 
tained only  two  passengers  besides  the  driver.  The  color 
of  its  outside  was  a.modest  green,  and  that  of  its  inside  a 
fiery  red.  The  latter  was  intended  to  convey  the  idea  of 
heat  in  that  cold  climate.  Large  buffalo-skins,  trimmed 
around  the  edges  with  red  cloth,  cut  into  festoons,  covered 
the  back  of  the  sleigh,  and  were  spread  over  its  bottom, 
and  drawn  up  around  the  feet  of  the  travellers— one  of 
whom  was  a  man  of  middle  age,  and  the  other  a  female, 
just  entering  upon  womanhood.  The  former  was  of  a 
large  stature  ;  but  the  precautions  he  had  taken  to  guard 
against  the  cold  left  but  little  of  his  person  exposed  to 
view.  A  great  coat,  that  was  abundantly  ornamented  by 
a  profusion  of  furs,  enveloped  the  whole  of  his  figure,  ex- 
cepting the  head,  which  was  covered  with  a  cap  of  marten- 
skins,  lined  with  morocco,  the  sides  of  which  were  made 
to  fall,  if  necessary,  and  were  now  drawn  close  over  the 
ears,  and  fastened  beneath  his  chin  with  a  black  ribbon. 
The  top  of  the  cap  was  surmounted  with  the  tail  of  the 
animal  whose  skin  had  furnished  the  rest  of  the  materials, 
which  fell  back,  not  ungracefully,  a  few  inches  behind  the 
head.  From  beneath  this  mask  were  to  be  seen  part  of  a 
fine,  manly  face,  and  particularly  a  pair  of  expressive, 
large  blue  eyes,  that  promised  extraordinary  intellect, 
covert  humor,  and  great  benevolence.  The  form  of  his 
companion  was  literally  hid  beneath  the  garments  she 
wore.  There  were  furs  and  silks  peeping  from  under  a 
large  camlet  cloak,  with  a  thick  flannel  lining,  that,  by  its 
cut  and  size,  was  evidently  intended  for  a  masculine  wearer. 
A  huge  hood  of  black  silk,  that  was  quilted  with  down, 
concealed  the  whole  of  her  head,  except  at  a  small  opening 
in  front  for  breath,  through  which  occasionally  sparkled  a 
pair  of  animated  jet-black  eyes. 

Both  the  father  and  daughter  (for  such  was  the  connec- 
tion between  the  two  travellers)  were  too  much  occupied 


THE  PIONEERS.  13 

with  their  reflections  to  break  a  stillness,  that  derived  lit- 
tle or  no  interruption  from  the  easy  gliding  of  the  sleigh, 
by  the  sound  of  their  voices.  The  former  was  thinking  of 
the  wife  that  had  held  this  their  only  child  to  her  bosom, 
when,  four  years  before,  she  had  reluctantly  consented  to 
relinquish  the  society  of  her  daughter,  in  order  that  the 
latter  might  enjoy  the  advantages  of  an  education  which 
the  city  of  New  York  could  only  offer  at  that  period.  A 
few  months  afterward  death  had  deprived  him  of  the 
remaining  companion  of  his  solitude ;  but  still  he  had 
enough  real  regard  for  his  child,  not  to  bring  her  into  the 
comparative  wilderness  in  which  he  dwelt,  until  the  full 
period  had  expired  to  which  he  had  limited  her  juvenile 
labors.  The  reflections  of  the  daughter  were  less  melan- 
choly, and  mingled  with  a  pleased  astonishment  at  the 
novel  scenery  she  met  at  every  turn  in  the  road. 

The  mountain  on  which  they  were  journeying  was  cov- 
ered with  pines  that  rose  without  a  branch  some  seventy 
or  eighty  feet,  and  which  frequently  doubled  that  height, 
by  the  addition  of  the  tops.  Through  the  innumerable 
vistas  that  opened  beneath  the  lofty  trees,  the  eye  could 
penetrate,  until  it  was  met  by  a  distant  inequality  in  the 
ground,  or  was  stopped  by  a  view  of.  the  summit  of  the 
mountain  which  lay  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  valley  to 
which  they  were  hastening.  The  dark  trunks  of  the  trees 
rose  from  the  pure  white  of  the  snow,  in  regularly  formed 
shafts,  until,  at  a  great  height,  their  branches  shot  forth 
horizontal  limbs,  that  were  covered  with  the  meagre  foli- 
age of  an  evergreen,  affording  a  melancholy  contrast  to 
the  torpor  of  nature  below.  To  the  travellers,  there 
seemed  to  be  no  wind  ;  but  these  pines  waved  majestically 
at  their  topmost  boughs,  sending  forth  a  dull,  plaintive 
sound  that  was  quite  in  consonance  with  the  rest  of  the 
melancholy  scene. 

The  sleigh  had  glided  for  some  distance  along  the  even 
surface,  and  the  gaze  of  the  female  was  bent  in  inquisitive, 
and,  perhaps,  timid  glances,  into  the  recesses  of  the  forest, 
when  a  loud  and  continued  howling  was  heard,  pealing 
under  the  long  arches  of  the  woods,  like  the  cry  of  a  num- 
erous pack  of  hounds.  The  instant  the  sounds  reached 
the  ears  of  the  gentleman  he  cried  aloud  to  the  black  : 

"  Hold  up,  Aggy  ;  there  is  old  Hector  ;  I  should  know 
his  bay  among  ten  thousand  I  The  Leather-Stocking  has 
put  his  hounds  into  the  hills,  this  clear  day,  and  they  have 


Z  PIONEERS. 

started  their  game.  There  is  a  deer-track  a  few  rods 
ahead  ;  and  now,  Bess,  if  thou  canst  muster  courage 
enough  to  stand  fire,  I  will  give  thee  a  saddle  for  thy 
Christmas  dinner." 

The  black  drew  up,  with  a  cheerful  grin  upon  his 
chilled  features,  and  began  thrashing  his  arms  together, 
in  order  to  restore  the  circulation  of  his  fingers,  while  the 
speaker  stood  erect,  and,  throwing  aside  his  outer  cover- 
ing, stepped  from  the  sleigh  upon  a  bank  of  snow,  which 
sustained  his  weight  without  yielding. 

In  a  few  moments  the  speaker  succeeded  in  extricating 
a  double-barrelled  fowling-piece  from  among  a  multi- 
tude of  trunks  and  bandboxes.  After  throwing  aside  the 
thick  mittens  which  had  encased  his  hands,  there  now 
appeared  a  pair  of  leather  gloves  tipped  with  fur,  he  ex- 
amined his  priming,  and  was  about-to  move  forward,  when 
the  light  bounding  noise  of  an  animal  plunging  through 
the  woods  was  heard,  and  a  fine  buck  darted  into  the  path, 
a  short  distance  ahead  of  him.  The  appearance  of  the 
animal  was  sudden,  and  his  flight  inconceivably  rapid  ;  but 
the  traveller  appeared  to  be  too  keen  a  sportsman  to  be 
disconcerted  by  either.  As  it  came  first  into  view  he 
raised  the  fowling-piece  to  his  shoulder,  and,  with  a  prac- 
tised eye  and  steady  hand,  drew  a  trigger.  The  deer 
dashed  forward  undaunted,  and  apparently  unhurt.  With-* 
out  lowering  his  piece,  the  traveller  turned  its  muzzle 
toward  his  victim,  and  fired  again.  Neither  discharge, 
however,  seemed  to  have  taken  effect. 

The  whole  scene  had  passed  with  a  rapidity  that  con- 
fused the  female,  who  was  unconsciously  rejoicing  in  the 
escape  of  the  buck,  as  he  rather  darted  like  a  meteor,  than 
ran  across  the  road,  when  a  sharp,  quick  sound  struck  her 
ear,  quite  different  from  the  full,  round  reports  of  her 
father's  gun,  but  still  sufficiently  distinct  to  be  known  as 
the  concussion  produced  by  fire-arms.  At  the  same  in- 
stant that  she  heard  this  unexpected  report,  the  buck 
sprang  from  the  snow  to  a  great  height  in  the  air,  and  di- 
rectly a  second  discharge,  similar  in  sound  to  the  first, 
followed,  when  the  animal  came  to  the  earth,  falling  head- 
long, and  rolling  over  on  the  crust  with  its  own  velocity. 
A  loud  shout  was  given  by  the  unseen  marksman,  and  a 
couple  of  men  instantly  appeared  from  behind  the  trunks 
of  two  of  the  pines,  where  they  had  evidently  placed 
themselves  in  expectation  of  the  passage  of  the  deer. 


THE  PIONEERS.  15 

"  Ha  !  Natty,  had  I  knowiryou  were  in  ambush,  I  should 
not  have  fired,"  cried  the  traveller,  moving  toward  the 
spot  where  the  deer  lay — near  to  which  he  was  followed 
by  the  delighted  black,  with  his  sleigh  ;  "  but  the  sound  of 
old  Hector  was  too  exhilarating  to  be  quiet  ;  though  I 
hardly  think  I  struck  him,  either." 

"  No — no — Judge,"  returned  the  hunter,  with  an  inward 
chuckle,  and  with  that  look  of  exultation  that  indicates  a 
consciousness  of  superior  skill,  "you  burnt  your  powder 
only  to  warm  your  nose  this  cold  evening.  Did  ye  think 
to  stop  a  full-grown  buck,  with  Hector  and  the  slut  open 
upon  him  within  sound,  with  that  pop-gun  in  your  hand? 
There's  plenty  of  pheasants  among  the  swamps  ;  and  the 
snow-birds  are  flying  round  your  own  door,  where  you 
may  feed  them  with  crumbs,  and  shoot  them  at  pleasure, 
any  day  ;  but  if  you're  for  a  buck,  or  a  little  bear's  meat, 
Judge,  you'll  have  to  take  the  long  rifle,  with  a  greased 
wadding,  or  you'll  waste  more  powder  than  you'll  fill 
stomachs,  I'm  thinking." 

As  the  speaker  concluded  he  drew  his  bare  hand  across 
the  bottom  of  his  nose,  and  again  opened  his  enormous 
mouth,  with  a  kind  of  inward  laugh. 

"  The  gun  scatters  well,  Natty,  and  it  has  killed  a  deer 
before  now,"  said -the  traveller,  smiling  good-humoredly. 
"  One  barrel  was  charged  with  buck-shot,  but  the  other 
was  loaded  for  birds  only.  Here  are  two  hurts  ;  one 
through  the  neck,  and  the  other  directly  through  the  heart. 
It  is  by  no  means  certain,  Natty,  but  I  gave  him  one  of 
the  two." 

"  Let  who  will  kill  him,"  said  the  hunter,  rather  surlily, 
"  I  suppose  the  creature  is  to  be  eaten."  So  saying,  he 
drew  a  large  knife  from  a  leathern  sheath,  which  was 
stuck  through  his  girdle,  or  sash,  and  cut  the  throat  of  the 
animal.  "  If  there  are  two  balls  through  the  deer,  I  would 
ask  if  there  wer'n't  two  rifles  fired — besides,  who  ever  saw 
such  a  ragged  hole  from  a  smooth-bore  as  this  through  the 
neck  ?  And  you  will  own  yourself,  Judge,  that  the  buck 
fell  at  the  last  shot,  which  was  sent  from  a  truer  and  a 
younger  hand  than  your'n  or  mine  either  ;  but,  for  my* 
part,  although  I  am  a  poor  man  I  can  live  without  the  ven- 
ison, but  I  don't  love  to  give  up  my  lawful  dues  in  a  free 
country.  Though,  for  the  matter  of  that,  might  often 
makes  right  here,  as  well  as  in  the  old  country,  for  what  1 
can  see." 


16  THE  PIONEERS. 

An  air  of  sullen  dissatisfaction  pervaded  the  manner  oi 
the  hunter  during  the  whole  of  his  speech  ;  yet  he  thought 
it  prudent  to  utter  the  close  of  the  sentence  in  such  an 
undertone  as  to  leave  nothing  audible  but  the  grumbling 
sounds  of  his  voice. 

"  Nay,  Natty,"  rejoined  the  traveller,  with  undisturbed 
good-humor,  "  it  is  for  the  honor  that  I  contend.  A  few 
dollars  will  pay  for  the  venison  ;  but  what  will  requite  me 
for  the  lost  honor  of  a  buck's  tail  in  my  cap  ?  Think, 
Natty,  how  I  should  triumph  over  that  quizzing  dog,  Dick 
Jones,  who  has  failed  seven  times  already  this  season,  and 
has  only  brought  in  one  wood-chuck  and  a  few  gray 
squirrels." 

"  Ah!  the  game  is  becoming  hard  to  find,  indeed,  Judge, 
with  your  clearings  and  betterments,"  said  the  old  hunter, 
with  a  kind  of  compelled  resignation.  "  The  time  has 
been  when  I  have  shot  thirteen  deer,  without  counting  the 
fa'ns,  standing  in  the  door  of  my  own  hut  ;  and  for  bear's 
meat,  if  one  wanted  a  ham  or  so,  he  had  only  to  watch 
a-nights,  and  he  could  shoot  one  by  moonlight,  through 
the  cracks  of  the  logs  ;  no  fear  of  his  oversleeping  himself 
neither,  for  the  howling  of  the  wolves  was  sartin  to  keep 
his  eyes  open.  There's  old  Hector  " — patting  with  affec- 
tkm  a  tall  hound  of  black  and  yellow  spots,  with  white 
belly  and  legs,  that  just  then  came  in  on  the  scent,  accom- 
panied by  the  slut  he  had  mentioned;  "see  where  the 
wolves  bit  his  throat,  the  night  I  druv  them  from  the  ven- 
ison that  was  smoking  on  the  chimney  top — that  dog  is 
more  to  be  trusted  than  many  a  Christian  man  ;  for  he 
never  forgets  a  friend,  and  loves  the  hand  that  gives  him 
bread." 

There  was  a  peculiarity  in  the  manner  of  the  hunter  that 
attracted  the  notice  of  the  young  female,  who  had  been  a 
close  and  interested  observer  of  his  appearance  and  equip- 
ments, from  the  moment  he  came  into  view.  He  was  tall, 
and  so  meagre  as  to  make  him  seem  above  even  the  six 
feet  that  he  actually  stood  in  his  stockings.  On  his  head, 
which  was  thinly  covered  with  lank,  sandy  hair,  he  wore  a 
•cap  made  of  fox-skin,  resembling  in  shape  the  one  we  have 
already  described,  although  much  inferior  in  finish  and 
ornaments.  His  face  was  skinny  and  thin  almost  to  emaci- 
ation ;  but  yet  it  bore  no  signs  of  disease — on  the  con« 
trary,  it  had  every  indication  of  the  most  robust  and  endur- 
ing health.  The  cold  and  exposure  had,  together,  giveu 


THE  PIONEERS.  ij 

it  a  color  of  uniform  red.  His  gray  eyes  were  glancing 
under  a  pair  of  shaggy  brows,  that  overhung  them  in  long 
hairs  of  gray  mingled  with  their  natural  hue  ;  his  'scraggy 
neck  was  bare,  and  burnt  to  the  same  tint  with  his  face  ; 
though  a  small  part  of  a  shirt  collar,  made  of  the  country 
check  was  to  be  seen  above  the  overdress  he  wore.  A  kind 
of  coat,  made  of  dressed  deerskin,  with  the  hair  on,  was 
belted  close  to  his  lank  body,  by  a  girdle  of  colored  worsted. 
On  his  feet  were  deerskin  moccasins,  ornamented  with  por- 
cupines' quills,  after  the  manner  of  the  Indians,  and  his 
limbs  were  guarded  with  long  leggings  of  the  same  mate- 
rial as  the  moccasins,  which,  gartering  over  the  knees  of 
his  tarnished  buckskin  breeches,  had  obtained  for  him, 
among  the  settlers  the  nickname  of  Leather-Stocking. 
Over  his  left  shoulder  was  slung  a  belt  of  deerskin,  from 
which  depended  an  enormous  ox  horn,  so  thinly  scraped  as 
to  discover  the  powder  it  contained.  The  larger  end  was 
fitted  ingeniously  and  securely  with  a  wooden  bottom,  and 
the  other  was  stopped  tight  by  a  little  plug.  A  leathern 
pouch  hung  before  him,  from  which,  as  he  concluded  his 
jast  speech,  he  took  a  small  measure,  and,  filling  it  accu- 
rately with  powder,  he  commenced  reloading  the  rifle, 
which,  as  its  butt  rested  on  the  snow  before  him,  reached 
nearly  to  the  top  of  his  foxskin  cap. 

The  traveller  had  been  closely  examining  the  wounds 
during  these  movements,  and  now,  without  heeding  the 
ill-humor  of  the  hunter's  manner,  he  exclaimed  : 

"  I  would  fain  establish  a  right,  Natty,  to  the  honor  of 
this  death  ;  and  surely  if  the  hit  in  the  neck  be  mine  it  is 
enough  ;  for  the  shot  in  the  heart  was  unnecessary — what 
we  call  an  act  of  supererogation,  Leather-Stocking." 

"  You  may  call  it  by  what  larned  name  you  please,  Judge," 
said  the  hunter,  throwing  his  rifle  across  his  left  arm,  and 
knocking  up  a  brass  lid  in  the  breech,  from  which  he  took 
a  small  piece  of  greased  leather  and,  wrapping  a  ball  in  it, 
forced  them  down  by  main  strength  on  the  powder,  where 
he  continued  to  pound  them  while  speaking.  "  It's  far 
easier  to  call  names  than  to  shoot  a  buck  on  the  spring  ; 
but  the  creaturcarne  by  his  end  from  a  younger  hand  than 
either  your'n  or  mine,  as  I  said  before." 

"What  say  you,  my  friend,"  cried  the  traveller,  turning 
pleasantly  to  Natty's  companion  ;  "shall  we  toss  up  this 
dollar  for  the  honor,  and  you  keep  the  silver  if  you  lose  • 
what  say  you,  friend  ? " 


1 8  THE  PIONEERS. 

"That  I  killed  the  deer,"  answered  the  young  man,  with 
a  little  haughtiness,  as  he  leaned  on  another  long  rifle, 
similar -to  that  of  Natty. 

"  Here  are  two  to  one,  indeed/'  replied  the  Judge,  with 
a  smile  ;  "  I  am  outvoted — overruled,  as  we  say  on  the 
bench.  There  is  Aggy,  .he  can't  vote,  being  a  slave  ;  and 
Bess  is  a  minor — so  I  must  even  make  the  best  of  it.  But 
you'll  send  me  the  venison  ;  and  the  deuce  is  in  it,  but  I 
make  a  good  story  about  its  death." 

"  The  meat  is  none  of  mine  to  sell,"  said  Leather-Stock- 
ing, adopting  a  little  of  his  companion's  hauteur  ;  "  for  my 
part,  I  have  known  animals  travel  days  with  shots  in  the 
neck,  and  I'm  none  of  them  who'll  rob  a  man  of'his  right- 
ful dues  ?  " 

"  You  are  tenacious  of  your  rights,  this  cold  evening, 
Natty,"  returned  the  Judge,  with  unconquerable  good  na- 
ture; "  but  what  say  you,  young  man  ;  will  three  dollars 
pay  you  for  the  buck  ?  " 

"  First  let  us  determine  the  question  of  right  to  the  satis- 
faction of  us  both,"  said  the  youth,  firmly  but  respectfully, 
and  with  a  pronunciation  and  language  vastly  superior  to 
his  appearance  ;  "with  how  many  shot  did  you  load  your 
gun  ?" 

"With  five,  sir,"  said  the  Judge,  a  little  struck  with  the 
other's  manner  ;  "  are  they  not  enough  to  slay  a  buck  like 
this?" 

"  One  would  do  it ;  but,"  moving  to  the  tree  from  be- 
hind which  he  had  appeared,  "you  know,  sir,  you  fired  in 
this  direction — here  are  four  of  the  bullets  in  the  tree." 

The  Judge  examined  the  fresh  marks  in  the  bark  of  the 
pine,  and,  shaking  his  head,  said  with  a  laugh  : 

"You  are  making  out  the  case  against  yourself,  my 
young  advocate  ;  where  is  the  fifth  ? " 

"  Here,"  said  the  youth,  throwing  aside  the  rough  over- 
coat that  he  wore,  and  exhibiting  a  hole  in  his  under-gar- 
merit,  though  which  large  drops  of  blood  were  oozing. 

"Good  God!"  exclaimed  the  Judge,  with  horror; 
"  have  I  been  trifling  here  about  an  empty  distinction,  and 
a  fellow-creature  suffering  from  my  hands  without  a  mur- 
mur? But  hasten — quick — get  into  my  sleigh — it  is  but  a 
mile  to  the  village,  where  surgical  aid  can  be  obtained— 
all  shall  be  done  at  my  expense,  and  thou  shalt  live 
with  me  until  thy  wound  is  healed,  ay,  and  forever  after* 
ward." 


THE  PIONEERS.  ig 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  good  intention,  but  I  must  de- 
cline your  offer.  I  have  a  friend  who  would  be  uneasy 
were  he  to  hear  that  I  am  hurt  and  away  from  him.  The 
injury  is  but  slight,  and  the  bullet  has  missed  the  bones  ; 
but  I  believe,  sir,  you  will  now  admit  my  title  to  the  veni- 
son." 

"  Admit  it  I"  repeated  the  agitated  Judge  ;  "  I  here  give 
thee  a  right  to  shoot  deer,  or  bears,  or  anything  thou 
pleasest  in  my  woods,  forever.  Leather-Stocking  is  the 
only  other  man  that  I  have  granted  the  same  privilege  to  ; 
and  the  time  is  coming  when  it  will  be  of  value.  But  I  buy 
your  deer — here,  this  bill  will  pay  thee,  both  for  thy  shot 
and  my  own." 

The  old  hunter  gathered  his  tall  person  up  into  an  air 
of  pride  during  this  dialogue,  but  he  waited  until  the  other 
had  done  speaking. 

"  There's  them  living  who  say  that  Nathaniel  Bumppo's 
right  to  shoot  on  these  hills  is  of  older  date  than  Marma- 
cluke  Temple's  right  to  forbid  him,"  he  said.  "  But  if 
there's  a  law  about  it  at  all,  though  who  ever  heard  of  a  law 
that  a  man  shouldn't  kill  deer  where  he  pleased  ! — but  if 
there  is  a  law  at  all,  it  should  be  to  keep  people  from  the 
use  of  smooth-bores.  A  body  never  knows  where  his  lead 
will  fly,  when  he  pulls  the  trigger  of  one  of  them  uncer- 
tain fire-arms." 

Without  attending  to  the  soliloquy  of  Natty,  the  youth 
bowed  his  head  silently  to  the  offer  of  the  banknote,  and 
replied  : 

*'  Excuse  me  :  I  have  need  of  the  venison." 

"  But  this  will  buy  you  many  deer,"  said  the  Judge  ; 
"take  it,  I  entreat  you;"  and,  lowering  his  voice  to  a 
whisper,  he  added — "  it  is  for  a  hundred  dollars." 

For  an  instant  only  the  youth  seemed  to  hesitate,  and 
then,  blushing  even  through  the  high  color  that  the  cold 
had  given  to  his  cheeks,  as  if  with  inward  shame  at  his  own 
weakness,  he  again  declined  the  offer. 

During  this  scene  the  female  arose,  and  regardless  of 
the  cold  air,  she  threw  back  the  hood  which  concealed  her 
features,  and  now  spoke,  with  great  earnestness. 

"  Surely,  surely — young  man — sir — you  would  not  pain 
my  father  so  much  as  to  have  him  think  that  he  leaves  a 
fellow-creature  in  this  wilderness,  whom  his  own  hand  has 
injured.  I  entreat  you  will  go  with  us,  and  receive  medi1 
calaid." 


20  THE  PIONEERS. 

Whether  his  wound  became  more  painful,  or  there  was 
{something  irresistible  in  the  voice  and  manner  of  the  fair 
pleader  for  her  father's  feelings,  we  know  not  ;  but  the 
distance  of  the  young  man's  manner  was  sensibly  softened 
by  this  appeal,  and  he  stood  in  apparent  doubt,  as  if  re- 
Juctant  to  comply  with,  and  yet  unwilling  to  refuse  her 
request.  The  Judge,  for  such  being  his  office,  must  in  fu- 
fure  be  his  title,  watched  with  no  little  interest  the  display 
of  this  singular  contention  in  the  feelings  of  the  youth  ; 
and,  advancing,  kindly  took  his  hand,  and,  as  he  pulled 
him  gently  toward  the  sleigh,  urged  him  to  enter  it. 

"These  is  no  human  aid  nearer  than  Templeton,"  he 
said,  "  and  the  hut  of  Natty  is  full  three  miles  from  this — 
come — come,  my  young  friend,  go  with  us,  and  let  the 
new  doctor  look  to  this  shoulder  of  thine.  Here  is  Natty  will 
take  the  tidings  of  thy  welfare  to  thy  friend  ;  and  shouldst 
thou  require  it,  thou  shalt  return  home  in  the  morning." 

The  young  man  succeeded  in  extricating  his  hand  from 
the  warm  grasp  of  the  Judge,  but  he  continued  to  gaze  on 
the  face  of  the  female  who,  regardless  of  the  cold,  was  still 
standing  with  her  fine  features  exposed,  which  expressed 
feeling  that  eloquently  seconded  the  request  of  her  father. 
Leather-Stocking  stood,  in  the  meantime,  leaning  upon  his 
long  rifle,  with  his  head  turned  a  little  to  one  side,  as  if 
engaged  in  sagacious  musing  ;  when,  having  apparently 
satisfied  his  doubts,  by  revolving  the  subject  in  his  mind, 
he  broke  silence. 

"  It  may  be  best  to  go,  lad,  after  all  ;  for,  if  the  shot 
hangs  under  the  skin,  my  hand  is  getting  too  old  to  be 
cutting  into  human  flesh,  as  I  once  used  to.  Though  some 
thirty  years  agone,  in  the  old  war,  when  I  was  out  under 
Sir  William,  1  travelled  seventy  miles  alone  in  the  howling 
wilderness,  with  a  rifle  bullet  in  my  thigh,  and  then  cut  it 
out  with  my  own  jackknife.  Old  Indian  John  knows  the 
time  well.  I  met  him  with  a  party  of  the  Delawares,  on 
the  trail  of  the  Iroquois,  who  had  been  down  and  taken 
five  scalps  on  the  Schoharie.  But  I  made  a  mark  on  the 
red-skin  that  I'll  warrant  he'll  carry  to  his  grave  !  I  took 
him  on  the  posteerum,  saving  the  lady's  presence,  as  he 
got  up  from  the  ambushment,  and  rattled  three  buck-shot 
into  his  naked  hide,  so  close  that  you  might  have  laid  a 
broad  joe  upon  them  all  " — here  Natty  stretched  out  his 
long  neck,  and  straightened  his  body,  as  he  opened  his 
mouth,  which  exposed  a  single  tusk  of  yellow  bone,  while 


TITR  PIO.VRRRS.  21 

his  eyes,  his  face,  even  his  whole  frame  seemed  to  laugh, 
although  no  sound  was  emitted,  except  a  kind  of  thick 
hissing,  as  he  inhaled  his  breath  in  quavers.  "  I  had  lost 
my  bullet  mould  in  crossing  the  Oneida  outlet,  and*  had  to 
make  shift  with  the  buck-shot  ;  but  the  rifle  was  true,  and 
didn't  scatter  like*  your  two-legged  thing  there,  Judge, 
which  don't  do,  I  find,  to  hunt  in  company  with." 

Natty's  apology  to  the  delicacy  of  the  young  lady  was 
unnecessary,  for,  while  he  was  speaking,  she  was  too 
much  employed  in  helping  her  father  to  remove  certain 
articles  of  baggage  to  hear  him.  Unable  to  resist  the 
kind  urgency  of  the  travellers  any  longer,  the  youth, 
though  still  with  an  unaccountable  reluctance,  suffered 
himself  to  be  persuaded  to  enter  the  sleigh.  The  black, 
with  the  aid  of  his  master,  threw  the  buck  across  the  bag- 
gage, and,  entering  the  vehicle  themselves,  the  Judge  in- 
vited the  hunter  to  do  so  likewise. 

"  No,  no,"  said  the  old  man,  shaking  his  head  ;  "  I  have 
work  to  do  at  home  this  Christinas  eve — drive  on  with 
the  boy,  and  let  your  doctor  look  to  the  shoulder  ;  though 
if  he  will  only  cut  out  the  shot,  I  have  yarbs  that  will  heal 
the  wound  quicker  than  all  his  foreign  'intments."  He 
turned,  and  was  about  to  move  off,  when,  suddenly  recol- 
lecting himself,  he  again  faced  the  party,  and  added — "  If 
you  see  anything  of  Indian  John,  about  the  foot  of  the 
lake,  you  had  better  take  him  with  you,  and  let  him  lend 
the  doctor  a  hand  ;  for,  old  as  he  is,  he  is  curious  at  cuts 
and  bruises,  and  it's  likelier  than  not  he'll  be  in  with 
brooms  to  sweep  your  Christmas  ha'arths." 

"Stop,  stop,"  cried  the  youth,  catching  the  arm  of  the 
black  as  he  prepared  to  urge  his  horses  forward  ;  "  Natty 
— you  need  say  nothing  of  the  shot,  nor  of  where  I  am 
going — remember,  Natty,  as  you  love  me." 

"Trust  old  Leather-Stocking,"  returned  the  hunter,  sig- 
nificantly ;  "  he  hasn't  lived  fifty  years  in  the  wilderness, 
and  not  larnt  from  the  savages  how  to  hold  his  tongue— » 
trust  to  me,  lad  ;  and  remember  old  Indian  John." 

"And,  Natty,"  said  the  youth,  eagerly,  still  holding  the 
black  by  the  arm.  "  I  will  just  get  the  shot  extracted,  and 
bring  you  up  to-night  a  quarter  of  the  buck  for  the  Christ- 
mas dinner."' 

He  was  interrupted  by  the  hunter,  who  held  up  his 
finger  with  an  expressive  gesture  for  silence.  He  then 
moved  softly  along  the  margin  of  the  road,  keeping  his 


22  THE  PIONEERS. 

eyes  steadfastly  fixed  on  the  branches  of  a  pine.  Wherc 
he  had  obtained  such  a  position  as  he  wished,  he  stopped, 
and,  cocking  his  rifle,  threw  one  leg  far  behind  him,  and 
stretching  his  left  arm  to  its  utmost  extent  along  the  bar- 
rel of  his  piece,  he  began  slowly  to  raise  its  muzzle  in  a 
line  with  the  straight  trunk  of  the  tree.  The  eyes  of  the 
group  in  the  sleigh  naturally  preceded  the  movement  of 
the  rifle,  and  they  soon  discovered  the  object  of  Natty's 
?,im.  On  a  small  dead  branch  of  the  pine,  which,  at  the 
distance  of  seventy  feet  from  the  ground,  shot  out  horizon- 
tally, immediately  beneath  the  living  members  of  the  tree 
a  bird,  that  in  the  vulgar  language  of  the  country  was  in- 
discriminately called  a  pheasant  or  a  partridge.  In  size, 
it  was  but  little  smaller  than  a  common  barn-yard  fowl. 
The  baying  of  the  dogs,  and  the  conversation  that  had 
passed  near  the  root  of  the  tree  on  which  it  was  perched, 
had  alarmed  the  bird,  which  was  now  drawn  up  near  the 
body  of  the  pine,  with  a  head  and  neck  so  erect,  as  to  form 
nearly  a  straight  line  with  its  legs.  As  soon  as  the  rifle 
bore  on  the  victim,  Natty  drew  his  trigger,  and  the  par- 
tridge fell  from  its  height  with  a  force  that  buried  it  in 
the  snow. 

"  Lie  down,  you  old  villain,"  exclaimed  Leather-Stock- 
ing, shaking  his  ramrod  at  Hector  as  he  bounded  toward 
the  foot  of  the  tree,  "  lie  down,  I  say."  The  dog  obeyed, 
and  Natty  proceeded  with  great  rapidity,  though  with  the 
nicest  accuracy,  to  reload  his  piece.  When  this  was  ended, 
he  took  up  his  game,  and,  showing  it  to  the  party  without 
a  head,  he  cried — "  Here  is  a  titbit  for  an  old  man's  Christ- 
mas— never  mind  the  venison,  boy,  and  remember  Indian 
John  ;  his  yarbs  are  better  than  all  the  foreign  'intments. 
Here,  Judge,"  holding  up  the  bird  again,  ''do  you  think  a 
smooth-bore  would  pick  game  off  their  roust,  and  not  ruffle 
a  feather?"  The  old  man  gave  another  of  his  remarkable 
laughs,  which  partook  so  largely  of  exultation,  mirth,  and 
irony,  and,  shaking  his  head,  he  turned,  with  his  rifle  at  a 
trail,  and  moved  into  the  forest  with  steps  that  were  be- 
tween a  walk  and  a  trot.  At  each  movement  he  made  his 
body  lowered  several  inches,  his  knees  yielding  with  an 
inclination  inward  ;  but,  as  the  sleigh  turned  at  a  bend  in 
the  road,  the  youth  cast  his  eyes  in  quest  of  his  old  com- 
panion, and  he  saw  that  he  was  already  nearly  concealed 
by  the  trunks  of  the  trees,  while  his  dogs  were  following 
quietly  in  his  footsteps,  occasionally  scenting  the  deei 


THE  PIONEERS.  23 

track,  that  they  seemed  to  know  instinctively  was  now  of 
no  further  use  to  them.  Another  jerk  was  given  to  the 
sieigh,  and  Leather-Stocking  was  hid  from  view. 


CHAPTER   II. 

"  All  places  that  the  eye  of  heaven  visits 
Are  to  a  wise  man  ports  and  happy  havens  : 
Think  not  the  king  did  banish  thee  ; 
But  thou  the  king." — RICHARD  II. 

AN  ancestor  of  Marmaduke  Temple  had,  about  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  year^  before  the  commencement  of  our 
tale,  come  to  the  colony  of  Pennsylvania,  a  friend  and  co- 
religionist of  its  great  patron.  Old  Marmaduke,  for  this 
formidable  prenomen  was  a  kind  of  appellative  to  the  race, 
brought  with  him,  to  that  asylum  of  the  persecuted,  an 
abundance  of  the  good  things  of  this  life.  He  became  the 
master  of  many  thousands  of  acres  of  uninhabited  territory, 
and  the  supporter  of  many  a  score  of  dependents.  He 
lived  greatly  respected  for  his  piety,  and  not  a  little  distin- 
guished as  a  sectary  ;  was  intrusted  by  his  associates  with 
many  important  political  stations  ;  and  died  just  in  time 
to  escape  the  knowledge  of  his  own  poverty.  It  was  his 
lot  to  share  the  fortune  of  most  of  those  who  brought 
wealth  with  them  into  the  new  settlements  of  the  middle 
colonies. 

The  consequence  of  an  emigrant  into  these  provinces 
was  generally  to  be  ascertained  by  the  number  of  his  white 
servants  or  dependents,  and  the  nature  of  the  public  situa- 
tions that  he  held.  Taking  this  rule  as  a  guide,  the  ances- 
tor of  our  Judge  must  have  been  a  man  of  no  little  note. 

It  is,  however,  a  subject  of  curious  inquiry  at  the  present 
day,  to  look  into  the  brief  records  of  that  early  period,  and 
observe  how  regular,  and  with  few  exceptions  how  inevit- 
able, were  the  gradations,  on  the  one  hand,  of  the  masters 
to  poverty,  and  on  the  other,  of  their  servants  to  wealth. 
Accustomed  to  ease,  and  unequal  to  the  struggles  incident 
to  an  infant  society,  the  affluent  emigrant  was  barely  en- 
abled to  maintain  his  own  rank,  by  the  weight  of  his  per* 
sonal  superiority  and  acquirements  ;  but,  the  moment  that 
his  head  'was  laid  in  the  grave,  his  indolent  and  compara- 
tively uneducated  offspring  were  compelled  to  yield  pre- 


24  THE  PIONEERS. 

cedency  to  the  more  active  energies  of  a  class  whose  ex- 
ertions had  been  stimulated  by  necessity.  This  is  a  very 
common  course  of  things,  even  in  the  present  state  of  the 
Union  ;  but  it  was  peculiarly  the  fortunes  of  the  two  ex~ 
tremes  of  society,  in  the  peaceful  and  unenterprising  colo- 
nies of  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey. 

The  posterity  of  Marmaduke  did  not  escape  the  common 
lot  of  those  who  depend  rather  on  their  hereditary  posses- 
sions than  on  their  own  powers  ;  and  in  the  third  genera- 
tion they  had  descended  to  a  point  below  which,  in  this 
happy  country,  it  is  barely  possible  for  honesty,  intellect, 
and  sobriety  to  fall.  The  same  pride  of  family  that  had, 
by  its  self-satisfied  indolence,  conduced  to  aid  their  fall, 
now  became  a  principle  to  stimulate  them  to  endeavor  to 
rise  again.  The  feeling,  from  being  morbid,  was  changed 
to  a  healthful  and  active  desire  to  emulate  the  character, 
the  condition,  and,  peradventure,  the  wealth  of  their  ances- 
tors also.  It  was  the  father  of  our  new  acquaintance,  the 
Judge,  who  first  began  to  reascend  in  the  scale  of  society  ; 
and  in  this  undertaking  he  was  not  a  little  assisted  by  a 
marriage,  which  aided  in  furnishing  the  means  of  educa- 
ting his  only  son  in  a  rather  better  manner  than  the  low 
state  of  the  common  schools  of  Pennsylvania  could  prom- 
ise ;  or  than  had  been  the  practice  in  the  family,  for  the 
two  or  three  preceding  generations. 

At  the  school  where  the  reviving  prosperity  of  his  father 
was  enabled  to  maintain  him,  young  Marmaduke  formed 
an  intimacy  with  a  youth  whose  years  were  about  equal  to 
his  own.  This  was  a  fortunate  connection  for  our  Judge, 
and  paved  the  way  to  most  of  his  future  elevation  in 
life. 

There  was  not  only  great  wealth,  but  high  court  interest, 
among  the.  connections  of  Edward  Effingham.  Thevwere 
one  of  the  few  families  then  resident  in  the  colonies,  who 
thought  it  a  degradation  to  its  members  to  descend  to  the 
pursuits  of  commerce  ;  and  who  never  emerged  from  the 
privacy  of  domestic  life,  unless  to  preside  in  the  councils 
of  the  colony,  or  to  bear  arms  in  her  defence.  The  latter 
had,  from  youth,  been  the  only  employment  of  Edward's 
father.  Military  rank  under  the  crown  of  Great  Britain, 
was  attained  with  much  longer  probation,  and  by  much 
more  toilsome  services,  sixty  years  ago,  than  at  the  present 
time.  Years  were  passed  without  murmuring,  in  the  sub- 
ordinate grades  of  the  service  ;  and  those  soldiers  who  were 


THE  PIONEERS.  2J 

stationed  in  the  colonies  felt,  when  they  obtained  the  com- 
mand of  a  company,  that  they  were  entitled  to  receive  the 
greatest  deference  from  the  peaceful  occupants  of  the  soil. 
Any  one  of  our  readers  who  has  occasion  to  cross  the  Niag- 
ara, may  easily  observe  not  only  the  self-importance,  but 
the  real  estimation  enjoyed  by  the  humblest  representative 
of  the  crown,  even  in  that  polar  region  of  royal  sunshine. 
Such,  and  at  no  very  distant  period,  was  the  respect  paid 
to  the  military  in  these  States,  where  now,  happily,  no  sym- 
bol of  war  is  ever  seen,  unless  at  the  free  and  fearless  voice 
of  their  people.  When,  therefore,  the  father  of  Marma- 
duke's  friend,  after  forty  years'  service,  retired  with  the 
rank  of  major,  maintaining  in  his  domestic  establishment 
a  comparative  splendor,  he  became  a  man  of  the  first  con- 
sideration in  his  native  colony— which  was  that  of  New 
York.  He  had  served  with  fidelity  and  courage,  and  hav- 
ing been,  according  to  the  custom  of  the  provinces,  in- 
trusted with  commands  much  superior  to  those  to  which 
he  was  entitled  by  rank,  with  reputation  also.  When  Major 
Effingham  yielded  to  the  claims  of  age,  he  retired  with 
dignity,  refusing  his  half-pay  or  any  other  compensation 
for  services  that  he  felt  he  could  no  longer  perform. 

The  ministry  proffered  various  civil  offices,  which  yielded 
not  only  honor  but  profit ;  but  he  declined  them  all,  with 
the  chivalrous  independence  and  loyalty  that  had  marked 
his  character  through  life.  The  veteran  soon  caused  this 
act  of  patriotic  disinterestedness  to  be  followed  by  another 
of  private  munificence,  that,  however  little  it  accorded  with 
prudence,  was  in  perfect  conformity  with  the  simple  integ- 
rity of  his  own  views. 

The  friend  of  Marmaduke  was  his  only  child  ;  and  to 
this  son,  on  his  marriage  with  a  lady  to  whom  the  father 
was  particularly  partial,  the  Major  gave  a  complete  con- 
veyance of  his  whole  estate,  consisting  of  money  in  the 
funds,  a  town  and  country  residence,  sundry  valuable  farms 
in  the  old  parts  of  the  colony,  and  large  tracts  of  wild  land 
in  the  new — in  this  manner  throwing  himself  upon  the 
filial  piety  of  his  child  for  his  own  future  maintenance. 
Major  Eftingham,  in  declining  the  liberal  offers  of  the 
British  ministry,  had  subjected  himself  to  the  suspicion  of 
having  attained  his  dotage,  by  all  those-  who  throng  the 
avenues  to  court  patronage,  even  in  the  remotest  corners 
of  that  vast  empire  ;  but,  when  he  thus  voluntarily  stripped 
himself  of  his  great  personal  wealth,  the  remainder  of  the 


26  THE  PIONEERS. 

community  seemed  instinctively  to  adopt  the  conclusion 
also,  that  he  had  reached  a  second  childhood.  This  may 
explain  the  fact  of  his  importance  rapidly  declining ;  and, 
if  privacy  was  his  object,  the  veteran  had  soon  a  free  indul- 
gence of  his  wishes.  Whatever  views  the  world  might  en- 
tertain of  this  act  of  the  Major,  to  himself  and  to  his  child 
it  seemed  no  more  than  a  natural  gift  by  a  father,  of  those 
immunities  which  he  could  no  longer  enjoy  or  improve, 
to  a  son,  who  was  formed,  both  by  nature  and  education, 
to  do  both.  The  younger  Effingham  did  not  object  to  the 
amount  of  the  donation  ;  for  he  felt  that  while  his  parent 
reserved  a  moral  control  over  his  actions,  he  was  relieving 
himself  of  a.  fatiguing  burden  :  such,  indeed,  was  the  con- 
fidence existing  between  them,  that  to  neither  did  it  seem 
anything  more  than  removing  money  from  one  pocket  to 
another. 

One  of  the  first  acts  of  the  young  man,  on  coming  into 
possession  of  his  wealth,  was  to  seek  his  early  friend,  with 
a  view  to  oifer  any  assistance  that  it  was  now  in  his  power 
to  bestow. 

The  death  of  Marmaduke's  father,  and  the  consequent 
division  of  his  small  estate,  rendered  such  an  offer  ex- 
tremely acceptable  to  the  young  Pennsylvanian  ;  he  felt 
his  own  powers,  and  saw,  not  only  the  excellencies,  but 
the  foibles  in  the  character  of  his  friend.  Effingham  was 
by  nature  indolent,  confiding,  and  at  times  impetuous  and 
indiscreet  ;  but  Marmaduke  was  uniformly  equable,  pene- 
trating, and  full  of  activity  and  enterprise.  To  the  latter, 
therefore,  the  assistance,  or  rather  connection  that  was 
proffered  to  him,  seemed  to  produce  a  mutual  advantage. 
It  was  cheerfully  accepted,  and  the  arrangement  of  its 
conditions  was  easily  completed.  A  mercantile  house 
was  established  in  the  metropolis  of  Pennsylvania,  with 
the  avails  of  Mr.  Effingham's  personal  property  ;  all,  or 
nearly  all,  of  which  was  put  into  the  possession  of  Temple, 
who  was  the  only  ostensible  proprietor  in  the  concern, 
while,  in  secret,  the  other  was  entitled  to  an  equal  par- 
ticipation in  the  profits.  This  connection  was  thus  kept 
private  for  two  reasons,  one  of  which,  in  the  freedom  of 
their  intercourse,  was  frankly  avowed  to  Marmaduke, 
while  the  other  continued  profoundly  hid  in  the  bosom  of 
his  friend.  The  last  was  nothing  more  than  pride.  To 
the  descendant  of  a  line  of  soldiers,  commerce,  even  in  that, 
indirect  manner,  seemed  a  degrading  pursuit ;  but  an  in- 


THE  PIONEERS.  27 

superable  obstacle  to  the  disclosure  existed  in  the  pre- 
judices of  his  father. 

We  have  already  said  that  Major  Effingham  had  served 
as  a  soldier  with  reputation.  On  one  occasion,  while  in 
command  on  the  western  frontier  of  Pennsylvania,  against 
a  league  of  the  French  and  Indians,  not  only  his  glory, 
but  the  safety  of  himself  and  his  troops  were  jeoparded 
by  the  peaceful  policy  of  that  colony.  To  the  soldier, 
this  was  an  unpardonable  offence.  He  was  fighting  in 
their  defence— he  knew  that  the  mild  principles  of  this 
little  nation  of  practical  Christians  would  be  disregarded 
by  their  subtle  and  malignant  enemies  ;  and  he  felt-  the 
injury  the  more  deeply  because  he  saw  that  the  avowed 
object  of  the  colonists,  in  withholding  their  succors,  would 
only  have  a  tendency  to  expose  his  command,  without 
preserving  the  peace.  The  soldier  succeeded,  after  a  des- 
perate conflict,  in  extricating  himself,  with  a  handful  of  his 
men,  from  their  murderous  enemy  ;  but  he  never  forgave 
the  people  who  had  exposed  him  to  a  danger  which  they 
left  him  to  combat  alone.  It  was  in  vain  to  tell  him  that 
they  had  no  agency  in  his  being  placed  on  their  frontier 
at  all  ;  it  was  evidently  for  their  benefit  that  he  had  been 
so  placed,  and  it  was  their  "  religious  duty,"  so  the  Major 
always  expressed  it,  "  it  was  their  religious  duty  to  have 
supported  him." 

At  no  time  was  the  old  soldier  an  admirer  of  the  peace- 
ful disciples  of  Fox.  Their  disciplined  habits,  both  of 
mind  and  body,  had  endowed  them  with  great  physical 
perfection  ;  and  the  eye  of  the  veteran  was  apt  to  scan  the 
fair  proportions  and  athletic  frames  of  the  colonists  with 
a  look  that  seemed  to  utter  volumes  of  contempt  for  their 
moral  imbecility.  He  was  also  a  little  addicted  to  the  ex- 
pression of  a  belief,  that,  where  there  was  so  great  an  ob- 
servance of  the  externals  of  religion,  there  could  not  be 
much  of  the  substance.  It  is  not  our  task  to  explain  what 
is,  or  what  ought  to  be  the  substance  of  Christianity,  but 
merely  to  record  in  this  place  the  opinions  of  Major  Ef- 
fingham. 

Knowing  the  sentiments  of  the  father  in  relation  to  this 
people,  it  was  no  wonder  that  the  son  hesitated  to  avow 
his  connection  with,  nay,  even  his  dependence  on  the  in- 
tegrity of,  a  Quaker. 

It  has  been  said  that  Marmaduke  deduced  his  origin 
from  the  contemporaries  and  friends  of  Penn.  His  father 


28  THE  PIONEERS. 

had  married  without  the  pale  of  the  church  to  which  he 
belonged,  and  had,  in  this  manner,  forfeited  some  of  the 
privileges  of  his  offspring.  Still,  as  young  Marmaduke 
was  educated  in  a  colony  and  society,  where  even  the  or- 
dinary intercourse  between  friends  was  tinctured  with  the 
aspect  of  this  mild  religion,  his  habits  and  language  were 
somewhat  marked  by  its  peculiarities.  His  own  marriage 
at  a  future  day  with  a  lady  without  not  only  the  pale,  but 
the  influence,  of  this  sect  of  religionists,  had  a  tendency, 
it  is  true,  to  weaken  his  early  impressions  ;  still  he  re- 
tained them  in  some  degree  to  the  hour  of  his  death,  and 
was  observed  uniformly,  when  much  interested  or  agitated, 
to  speak  in  the  language  of  his  youth.  But  this  is  antici- 
pating our  tale. 

When  Marmaduke  first  became  the  partner  of  young 
Effingham,  he  was  quite  the  Quaker  in  externals  ;  and  it 
was  too  dangerous  an  experiment  for  the  son  to  think  of 
encountering  the  prejudices  of  the  father  on  this  subject. 
The  connection,  therefore,  remained  a  profound  secret  to 
all  but  those  who  were  interested  in  it. 

For  a  few  years  Marmaduke  directed  the  commercial 
operations  of  his  house  with  a  prudence  and  sagacity  that 
afforded  rich  returns.  He  married  the  lady  we  have  men- 
tioned, who  was  the  mother  of  Elizabeth,  and  the  visits  of 
his  friend  were  becoming  more  frequent.  There  was  a 
speedy  prospect  of  removing  the  veil  from  their  inter- 
course, as  its  advantages  became  each  hour  more  apparent 
to  Mr.  EfRngham,  when  the  troubles  that  preceded  the 
war  of  the  Revolution  extended  themselves  to  an  alarming 
degree. 

Educated  in  the  most  dependent  loyalty,  Mr.  Effingham 
had,  from  the  commencement  of  the  disputes  between  the 
colonists  and  the  crown,  warmly  maintained  what  he  be- 
lieved to  be  the  just  prerogatives  of  his  prince ;  while,  on 
the  other  hand,  the  clear  head  and  independent  mind  of 
Temple  had  induced  him  to  espouse  the  cause  of  the  peo- 
ple. Both  might  have  been  influenced  by  early  impres 
sions  ;  for,  if  the  son  of  the  loyal  and  gallant  soldier  bowed 
in  implicit  obedience  to  the  will  of  his  sovereign,  the  de- 
scendant of  the  persecuted  followers  of  Penn  looked  back 
with  a  little  bitterness  to  the  unrnerited  wrongs  that  had 
been  heaped  upon  his  ancestors. 

This  difference  in  opinion  had  long  been  a  subject  of 
Amicable  dispute  between  them  ;  but,  latterly,  the  contest 


THE  PIONEERS.  29 

was  getting  to  be  too  important  to  admit  of  trivial  discus- 
sions on  the  part  of  Marmaduke,  whose  acute  discernment 
was  already  catching  faint  glimmerings  of  the  important 
events  that  were  in  embryo.  The  sparks  of  dissension 
soon  kindled  into  a  blaze  ;  and  the  colonies,  or  rather,  as 
they  quickly  declared  themselves,  THE  STATES,  became  a 
scene  of  strife  and  bloodshed  for  years. 

A  short  time  before  the  battle  of  Lexington,  Mr.  Effing- 
ham,  already  a  widower,  transmitted  to  Marmaduke,  for 
safe-keeping,  all  his  valuable  effects  and  papers  ;  and  left 
the  colony  without  his  father.  The  war  had,  however, 
scarcely  commenced  in  earnest,  when  he  reappeared  in 
New  York,  wearing  the  livery  of  his  king  ;  and,  in  a  short 
time,  he  took  the  field  at  the  head  of  a  provincial  corps. 
In  the  meantime,  Marmaduke  had  completely  committed 
himself  in  the  cause,  as  it  was  then  called,  of  the  rebellion. 
Of  course,  all  intercourse  between  the  friends  ceased — on 
the  part  of  Colonel  Effingham  it  was  unsought,  and  on 
that  of  Marmaduke  there  was  a  cautious  reserve.  It  soon 
became  necessary  for  tho  latter  to  abandon  the  capital  of 
Philadelphia  ;  but  he  had  taken  the  precaution  to  remove 
the  whole  of  his  effects  beyond  the  reach  of  the  royal  forces, 
including  the  papers  of  his  friend  also.  There  he  con- 
tinued serving  his  country  during  the  struggle,  in  various 
civil  capacities,  and  always  with  dignity  and  usefulness. 
While,  however,  he  discharged  his  functions  with  credit 
and  fidelity,  Marmaduke  never  seemed  to  lose  sight  of  his 
own  interests  ;  for,  when  the  estates  of  the  adherents  of 
the  crown  fell  under  the  hammer,  by  the  acts  of  confisca- 
tion, he  appeared  in  New  York,  and  became  the  purchaser 
of  extensive  Dossessions  at  comparatively  low  prices. 

It  is  true  that  Marmaduke,  by  thus  purchasing  estates 
that  had  been  wrested  by  violence  from  others,  rendered 
himself  obnoxious  to  the  censures  of  that  sect  which,  at 
the  same  time  that  it  discards  its  children  from  a  full  par- 
ticipation in  the  family  union,  seems  ever  unwilling  to 
abandon  them  entirely  to  the  world.  But  either  his  suc- 
cess, or  the  frequency  of  the  transgression  in  others,  soon 
wiped  off  this  slight  stain  from  his  character  ;  and,  although 
there  were  a  few  who,  dissatisfied  with  their  own  fortunes, 
or  conscious  of  their  own  demerits,  would  make  dark  hints 
concerning  the  sudden  prosperity  of  the  unportioned 
Quaker,  yet  his  services,  and  possibly  his  wealth,  soon  drove 
the  recollection  of  these  vague  conjectures  from  men's  minds 


30  THE  PIONEERS. 

When  the  war  ended,  and  the  independence  of.the  State? 
was  acknowledged,  Mr.  Temple  turned  his  attention  from 
the  pursuit  of  commerce,  which  was  then  fluctuating  and 
uncertain,  to  the  settlement  of  those  tracts  of  land  which 
he  had  purchased.  Aided  by  a  good  deal  of  money,  and 
directed  by  the  suggestions  of  a  strong  and  practical  rea- 
son, his  enterprise  throve  to  a  degree  that  the  climate  and 
rugged  face  of  the  country  which  he  selected  would  seem 
to  forbid.  His  property  increased  in  a  tenfold  ratio,  and 
he  was  already  ranked  among  the  most  wealthy  and  im- 
portant of  his  countrymen.  To  inherit  this  wealth  he  had 
but  one  child — the  daughter  whom  we  have  introduced  to 
the  reader,  and  whom  he  was  now  conveying  from  school 
to  preside  over  a  household  that  had  too  long  wanted  a 
mistress. 

When  the  district  in  which  his  estates  lay  had  become 
sufficiently  populous  to  be  set  off  as  a  county,  Mr.  Tem- 
ple had,  according  to  the  custom  of  the  new  settlements, 
been  selected  to  fill  its  highest  judicial  station.  This 
might  make  a  Templar  smile  ;  but,  in  addition  to  the 
apology  of  necessity,  there  is  ever  a  dignity  in  talents  and 
experience  that  is  commonly  sufficient,  in  any  station,  for 
the  protection  of  its  possessor  ;  and  Marmaduke,  more 
fortunate  in  his  native  clearness  of  mind  than  the  judge 
of  King  Charles,  not  only  decided  right,  but  was  generally 
able  to  give  a  very  good  reason  for  it.  At  all  events,  such 
was  the  universal  practice  of  the  country  and  the  times  ; 
and  Judge  Temple,  so  far  from  ranking  among  the  lowest 
of  his  judicial  contemporaries  in  the  courts  of  the  new 
counties,  felt  himself,  and  was  unanimously  acknowledged 
to  be,  among  the  first. 

We  shall  here  close  this  brief  explanation  of  the  history 
and  character  of  some  of  our  personages,  leaving  them  in 
future  to  speak  and  act  for  themselves. 


THE  PIONEERS.  31 


CHAPTER  III. 

"  All  that  thou  see'st  in  Nature's  handiwork  ; 
Those  rocks  that  upward  throw  their  mossy  brows 
Like  castled  pinnacles  of  elder  times  ; 
These  venerable  stems,  that  slowly  rock 
Their  towering  branches  in  the  wintry  gale  ; 
That  field  of  frost,  which  glitters  in  the  sun, 
Mocking  the  whiteness  of  a  marble  breast ! 
Yet  man  can  mar  such  works  with  his  rude  taste, 
Like  some  sad  spoiler  of  a  virgin's  fame." — Duo. 

SOME  little  while  elapsed  ere  Marmaduke  Temple  was 
sufficiently  recovered  from  his  agitation  to  scan  the  person 
of  his  new  companion.  He  now  observed  that  he  was  a 
youth  of  some  two  or  three-and-twenty  years  of  age,  and 
rather  above  the  middle  height.  Further  observation  was 
prevented  by  the  rough  overcoat  which  was  belted  close 
to  his  form  by  a  worsted  sash,  much  like  the  one  worn  by 
the  old  hunter.  The  eyes  of  the  Judge,  after  resting  a 
moment  on  the  figure  of  the  stranger,  were  raised  to  a 
scrutiny  of  his  countenance.  There  had  been  a  look  of 
care  visible  in  the  features  of  the  youth,  when  he  first 
entered  the  sleigh,  that  had  not  only  attracted  the  notice 
of  Elizabeth,  but  which  she  had  been  much  puzzled  to  in- 
terpret. His  anxiety  seemed  the  strongest  when  he  was 
enjoining  his  old  companion  to  secrecy  ;  and  even  when 
he  had  decided,  and  was  rather  passively  suffering  himself 
to  be  conveyed  to  the  village,  the  expression  of  his  eyes 
by  no  means  indicated  any  great  degree  of  self-satisfaction 
at  the  step.  But  the  lines  of  an  uncommonly  prepossess- 
ing countenance  were  gradually  becoming  composed  ;  and 
he  now  sat  silent,  and  apparently  musing.  The  Judge 
gazed  at  him  for  some  time  with  earnestness,  and  then 
smiling,  as  if  at  his  own  forgetful  ness,  he  said  : 

"  I  believe,  my  young  friend,  that  terror  has  driven  you 
from  ray  recollection  ;  your  face  is  very  familiar,  and  yet 
for  the  honor  of  a  score  of  bucks'  tails  in  my  cap,  I  could 
not  tell. your  name." 

"I  came  into  the  country  but  three  weeks  since,"  re- 
turned the  youth,  coldly,  "and  I  understand  you  have 
been  absent  twice  that  time." 

"  It  will  be  five  to-morrow.     Yet  your  face  is  one  that  J 


22  THE  PIONEERS. 

have  seen  ;  though  it  would  not  be  strange,  such  has  been 
my  affright,  should  I  see  thee  in  thy  winding-sheet  walk- 
ing by  my  bedside  to-night.  What  say'st  thou,  Bess  ?  Am 
I  compos  mentis  or  not  ?  Fit  to  charge  a  grand  jury,  or, 
what  is  just  now  of  more  pressing  necessity,  able  to  do 
the  honors  of  Christmas  eve  in  the  hall  of  Templeton  ?" 

"  More  able  to  do  either,  my  dear  father,"  said  a  playful 
voice  from  under  the  ample  enclosures  of  the  hood,  "  than 
to  kill  deer  with  a  smooth-bore."  A  short  pause  followed, 
and  the  same  voice,  but  in  a  different  accent,  continued  : 
"  We  shall  have  good  reasons  for  our  thanksgiving  to-night, 
on  more  accounts  than  one." 

The  horses  soon  reached  a  point  where  they  seemed  to 
know  by  instinct  that  the  journey  was  nearly  ended,  and, 
bearing  on  the  bits  as  they  tossed  their  heads,  they  rapidly 
drew  the  sleigh  over  the  level  land  which  lay  on  the  top 
of  the  mountain,  and  soon  came  to  the  point  where  the 
Toad  descended  suddenly,  but  circuitously,  into  the  valley. 

The  Judge  was  roused  from  his  reflections,  when  he  saw 
the  four  columns  of  smoke  which  floated  above  his  own 
chimneys.  As  house,  village,  and  valley  burst  on  his  sight, 
he  exclaimed  cheerfully  to  his  daughter  : 

"  See,  Bess,  there  is  thy  resting  place  for  life  !  And 
thine,  too,  young  man,  if  thou  wilt  consent  to  dwell  with 
us." 

The  eyes  of  his  auditors  involuntarily  met  ;  and,  if  the 
color  that  gathered  over  the  face  of  Elizabeth  was  contra- 
dicted by  the  cold  expression  of  her  eye,  the  ambiguous 
smile  that  again  played  about  the  lips  of  the  stranger, 
seemed  equally  to  deny  the  probability  of  his  consenting 
to  form  one  of  this  family  group.  The  scene  was  one, 
however,  which  might  easily  warm  a  heart  less  given  to 
philanthropy  than  that  of  Marmaduke  Temple. 

The  side  of  the  mountain  on  which  our  travellers  were 
journeying,  though  not  absolutely  perpendicular,  was  so 
steep  as  to  render  great  care  necessary  in  descending  the 
rude  and  narrow  path  which,  in  that  early  day,  wound 
along  the  precipices.  The  negro  reined  in  his  impatient 
steeds,  and  time  was  given  Elizabeth  to  dwell  on  a  scene 
which  was  so  rapidly  altering  under  the  hands  of  man, 
that  it  only  resembled  in  its  outlines  the  picture  she  had 
so  often  studied  with  delight  in  childhood.  Immediately 
beneath  them  lay  a  seeming  plain,  glittering  without  in- 
equality, and  buried  in  mountains.  The  latter  were  pre« 


TIT1Z  PIONEERS.  33 

cipitous,  especially  on  the  side  of  the  plain,  and  chiefly  in 
forest.  Here  and  there  the  hills  fell  away  in  long,  low 
points,  and  broke  the  sameness  of  the  outline  ;  or  setting 
to  the  long  and  wide  field  of  snow,  which,  without  house, 
tree,  fence,  or  any  other  fixture,  resembled  so  much  spotless 
cloud  settled  to  the  earth.  A  few  dark  and  moving  spots 
were,  however,  visible  on  the  even  surface,  which  the  eye 
of  Elizabeth  knew  to  be  so  many  sleighs  going  their  sev- 
eral ways,  to  or  from  the  village.  On  the  western  border 
of  the  plain,  the  mountains,  though  equally  high,  were 
less  precipitous,  and  as  they  receded,  opened  into  irregu- 
lar valleys  and  glens,  or  were  formed  into  terraces  and 
hollows  that  admitted  of  cultivation.  Although  the  ever- 
greens still  held  dominion  over  many  of  the  hills  that  rose 
on  this  side  of  the  valley,  yet  the  undulating  outlines  of 
the  distant  mountains,  covered  with  forests  of  beech  and 
maple,  gave  a  relief  to  the  eye,  and  the  promise  of  a  kinder 
soil.  Occasionally  spots  of  white  were  discoverable  amidst 
the  forests  of  the  opposite  hills,  which  announced,  by  the 
smoke  that  curled  over  the  tops  of  the  trees,  the  habita- 
tions of  man,  and  the  commencement  of  agriculture. 
These  spots  were  sometimes,  by  the  aid  of  united  labor, 
enlarged  into  what  were  called  settlements,  but  more  fre- 
quently were  small  and  insulated  ;  though  so  rapid  were 
the  changes,  and  so  persevering  the  labors  of  those  who 
had  cast  their  fortunes  on  the  success  of  the  enterprise, 
that  it  was  not  difficult  for  the  imagination  of  Elizabeth  to 
conceive  they  were  enlarging  under  her  eye,  while  she  was 
gazing,  in  mute  wonder,  at  the  alterations,  that  a  few  short 
years  had  made  in  the  aspect  of  the  country.  The  points 
on  the  western  side  of  this  remarkable  plain,  on  which  no 
plant  had  taken  root,  were  both  larger  and  more  numerous 
than  those  on  its  eastern,  and  one  in  particular  thrust  itself 
forward  in  such  a  manner  as  to  form  beautifully  curved 
bays  of  snow  on  either  side.  On  its  extreme  end  an  oak 
stretched  forward,  as  if  to  overshadow,  with  its  branches, 
a  spot  which  its  roots  were  forbidden  to  enter.  It  had  re- 
leased itself  from  the  thraldom  that  a  growth  of  centuries 
had  imposed  on  the  branches  of  the  surrounding  forest 
trees,  ^and  threw  its  gnarled  and  fantastic  arms  abroad,  in 
the  wildness  of  liberty.  A  dark  spot  of  a  few  acres  in  ex- 
tent at  the  southern  extremity  of  this  beautiful  flat,  and 
immediately  under  the  feet  of  our  travellers,  alone  showed 
by  its  rippling  surface,  and  the  vapors  which  exhaled  from 


34  THE  PIONEERS. 

it,  that  what  at  first  might  seem  a  plain,  was  one  of  the 
mountain  lakes,  locked  in  the  frosts  of  winter.  A  narrow 
current  rushed  impetuously  from  its  bosom  at  the  open 
place  we  have  mentioned,  and  was  to  be  traced,  for  miles, 
as  it  wound  its  way  toward  the  south  through  the  real 
valley,  by  its  borders  of  hemlock  and  pine,  and  by  the 
vapor  which  arose  from  its  warmer  surface  into  the  chill 
atmosphere  of  the  hills.  The  banks  of  this  lovely  basin, 
at  its  outlet,  or  southern  -end,  were  steep,  but  not  high  ; 
and  in  that  direction  the  land  continued,  far  as  the  eye 
could  reach,  a  narrow  but  graceful  valley,  along  which  the 
settlers  had  scattered  their  humble  habitations,  with  a  pro- 
fusion that  bespoke  the  quality  of  the  soil,  and  the  com- 
parative facilities  of  intercourse. 

Immediately  on  the  bank  of  the  lake  and  at  its  foot, 
stood  the  village  of  Templeton.  It  consisted  of  some  fifty 
buildings,  including  those  of  every  description,  chiefly 
built  of  wood,  and  which,  in  their  architecture,  bore  no 
great  marks  of  taste,  but  which  also,  by  the  unfinished  ap- 
pearance of  most  of  the  dwellings,  indicated  the  hasty  man- 
ner of  their  construction.  To  the  eye,  they  presented  a 
variety  of  colors.  A  few  were  white  in  both  front  and  rear, 
but  more  bore  that  expensive  color  on  their  fronts  only, 
while  their  economical  but  ambitious  owners  had  covered 
the  remaining  sides  of  the  edifices  with  a  dingy  red.  One 
or  two  were  slowly,  assuming  the  russet  of  age  ;  while  the 
uncovered  beams  that  were  to  be  seen  through  the  broken 
windows  of  their  second  stories,  showed  that  either  the 
taste  or  the  vanity  of  their  proprietors  had  led  them  to 
undertake  a  task  which  they  were  unable  to  accomplish. 
The  whole  were  grouped  in  a  manner  that  aped  the  streets 
of  a  city,  and  were  evidently  so  arranged  by  the  directions 
of  one  who  looked  to  the  wants  of  posterity  rather  than  to 
the  convenience  of  the  present  incumbents.  Some  three 
or  four  of  the  better  sort  of  buildings,  in  addition  to  the 
uniformity  of  their  color,  were  fitted  with  green  blinds, 
which,  at  that  season  at  least,  were  rather  strangely  con- 
trasted to  the  chill  aspect  of  the  lake,  the  mountains,  the 
forests,  and  the  wide  fields  of  snow.  Before  the  doors  of 
these  pretending  dwellings  were  placed  a  few  saplings, 
either  without  branches,  or  possessing  only  the  feeble 
snoots  of  one  or  two  summers'  growth,  that  looked  not  un- 
like tall  grenadiers  on  post  near  the  threshold  of  princes. 
In  truth,  the  occupants  of  these  favored  habitations  were 


THE  PIONEERS.  35 

the  nobles  of  Templeton,  as  Marmaduke  was  its  king. 
They  were  the  dwellings  of  two  young  men  who  were  cun- 
ning in  the  law  ;  an  equal  number  of  that  class  who  chaff- 
ered to  the  wants  of  the  community  under  the  title  of 
storekeepers  ;  and  a  disciple  of  ^Esculapius,  who,  for  a 
novelty,  brought  more  subjects  into  the  world  than  he  sent 
out  of 'it.  In  the  midst  of  this  incongruous  group  of  dwell- 
ings rose  the  mansion  of  the  Judge,  towering  above  all  its 
neighbors.  It  stood  in  the  centre  of  an  enclosure  of  sev- 
eral acres,  which  was  covered  with  fruit-trees.  Some  of 
the  latter  had  been  left  by  the  Indians,  and  began  already 
to  assume  the  moss  and  inclination  of  age,  therein  forming 
a  very  marked  contrast  to  the  infant  plantations  that  peered 
over  most  of  the  picketed  fences  of  the  village.  In  addi- 
tion to  this  show  of  cultivation  were  two  rows  of  young 
Lombardy  poplars,  a  tree  but  lately  introduced  into  Amer- 
ica, formally  lining  either  side  of  a  pathway  which  led 
from  a  gate  that  opened  on  the  principal  street  to  the  front 
door  of  the  building.  The  house  itself  had  been  built  en- 
tirely under  the  superintendence  of  a  certain  Mr.  Richard 
Jones,  whom  we  have  already  mentioned,  and  who,  from 
his  cleverness  in  small  matters,  and  an  entire  willingness 
to  exert  his  talents,  added  to  the  circumstance  of  their  be.- 
.ng  sister's  children,  ordinarily  superintended  all  the  minor 
concerns  of  Marmaduke  Temple.  Richard  was  fond  of 
saying  that  this  child  of  invention  consisted  of  nothing 
more  nor  less  than  what  should  form  the  groundwork  of 
every  clergyman's  discourse  :  viz.,  a  firstly,  and  a  lastly. 
He  had  commenced  his  labors,  in  the  first  year  of  their 
residence,  by  erecting  a  tall,  gaunt  edifice  of  wood,  with  its 
gable  toward  the  highway.  In  this  shelter,  for  it  was  little 
more,  the  family  resided  three  years.  By  the  end  of  that 
period,  Richard  had  completed  his  design.  He  had  availed 
himself,  in  this  heavy  undertaking,  of  the  experience  of  a 
certain  wandering  eastern  mechanic,  who,  by  exhibiting  a 
few  soiled  plates  of  English  architecture,  and  talking 
learnedly  of  friezes,  entablatures,  and  particularly  of  the 
composite  order,  had  obtained  a  very  undue  influence  over 
Richard's  taste,  in  everything  that  pertained  to  that  branch 
of  the  fine  arts.  Not  that  Mr.  Jones  did  not  affect  to  con- 
sider Hiram  Doolittle  a  perfect  empiric  in  his  profession, 
being  in  the  constant  habit  of  listening  to  his  treatises  on 
architecture  with  a  kind  of  indulgent  smile  ;  yet,  either 
from  an  inability  to  oppose  them  by  anything  plausible 


36  THE  PIONEERS. 

from  his  own  stores  of  learning,  or  from  secret  admiration, 
Richard  generally  submitted  to  the  arguments  of  his  co- 
adjutor. Together,  they  had  not  only  erected  a  dwelling 
for  Marmaduke,  but  they  had  given  a  fashion  to  the  archi- 
tecture of  the  whole  county.  The  composite  order,  Mr. 
Doolittle  would  contend,  was  an  order  composed  of  many 
others,  and  was  intended  to  be  the  most  useful  of  all,  for  it 
admitted  into  its  construction  such  alterations  as  conveni- 
ence or  circumstances  might  require.  To  this  proposition 
Richard  usually  assented  ;  and  when  rival  geniuses,  who 
monopolize  not  only  all  the  reputation,  but  most  of  the 
money  of  a  neighborhood,  are  of  a  mind,  it  is  not  uncom- 
mon to  see  them  lead  the  fashion,  even  in  graver  matters. 
In  the  present  instance,  as  we  have  already  hinted,  the 
castle,  as  Judge  Templeton's  dwelling  was  termed  in  com- 
mon parlance,  came  to  be  the  model,  in  some  one  or  other 
of  its  numerous  excellences,  for  every  aspiring  edifice 
within  twenty  miles  of  it. 

The  house  itself,  or  the  "lastly,"  was  of  stone  :  large, 
square,  and  far  from  uncomfortable.  These  were  four  re- 
quisites, on  which  Marmaduke  had  insisted  with  a  little 
more  than  his  ordinary  pertinacity.  But  everything  else 
was  peaceably  assigned  to  Richard  and  his  associate.  These 
worthies  found  the  material  a  little  too  solid  for  the  tools 
of  their  workmen,  which,  in  general,  were  employed  on  a 
substance  no  harder  than  the  white  pine  of  the  adjacent 
mountains,  a  wood  so  proverbially  soft,  that  it  is  common- 
ly chosen  by  the  hunters  for  pillows.  But  for  this  awkward 
dilemma,  it  is  probable  that  the  ambitious  tastes  of  our 
two  architects  would  have  left  as  much  more  to  do  in  the 
way  of  description.  Driven  from  the  faces  of  the  house 
by  the  obduracy  of  the  material,  they  took  refuge  in  the 
porch  and  on  the  roof.  The  former,  it  was  decided,  should 
be  severely  classical,  and  the  latter  a  rare  specimen  of  the 
merits  of  the  composite  order. 

A  roof,  Richard  contended,  was  a  part  of  the  edifice  that 
the  ancients  always  endeavored  to  conceal,  it  being  an  ex- 
crescence in  architecture  that  was  only  to  be  tolerated  on 
account  of  its  usefulness.  Besides,  as  he  wittily  added,  a 
chief  merit  in  a  dwelling  was  to  present  a  front,  on  which- 
ever side  it  might  happen  to  be  seen  ;  for,  as  it  was  ex- 
posed to  all  eyes  in  all  weathers,  there  should  be  no  weak 
flank  for  envy  or  unneighborly  criticism  to  assail.  It  was 
therefore  decided  that  the  roof  should  be  flat,  and  with 


THE  PIONEERS.  37 

four  faces.  To  this  arrangement,  Marmaduke  objected 
the  heavy  snows  that  lay  for  months,  frequently  covering 
the  earth  to  a  depth  of  three  or  four  feet.  Happily,  the 
facilities  of  the  composite  order  presented  themselves  to 
effect  a  compromise,  and  the  rafters  were  lengthened,  so 
as  to  give  a  descent  that  should  carry  off  the  frozen  ele- 
ment. But,  unluckily,  some  mistake  was  made  in  the  ad- 
measurement of  these  material  parts  of  the  fabric  ;  and,  as 
one  of  the  greatest  recommendations  of  Hiram  was  his 
ability  to  work  by  the  "square  rule,"  no  opportunity  was 
found  of  discovering  the  effect  until  the  massive  timbers 
were  raised,  on  the  four  walls  of  the  building.  Then,  in- 
deed, it  was  soon  seen  that,  in  defiance  of  all  rule,  the 
roof  was  by  far  the  most  conspicuous  part  of  the  whole 
edifice.  Richard  and  his  associate  consoled  themselves 
with  the  belief  that  the  covering  would  aid  in  concealing 
this  unnatural  elevation  ;  but  every  shingle  that  was  laid 
only  multiplied  objects  to  look  at.  Richard  essayed  to 
remedy  the  evil  with  paint,  and  four  different  colors  were 
^aid  on  by  his  own  hands.  The  -first  was  a  sky-blue,  in 
ihe  vain  expectation  that  the  eye  might  be  cheated  into 
the  belief  it  was  the  heavens  themselves  that  hung  so  im- 
posingly over  Marmaduke's  dwelling  ;  the  second  was 
what  he  called  a  "cloud-color,"  being  nothing  more  nor 
less  than  an  imitation  of  smoke  ;  the  third  was  what  Rich- 
ard termed  an  invisible  green,  an  experiment  that  did  not 
succeed  against  a  background  of  sky.  Abandoning  the 
attempt  to  conceal,  our  architects  drew  upon  their  inven- 
tion for  means  to  ornament  the  offensive  shingles.  After 
much  deliberation  and  two  or  three  essays  by  moonlight, 
Richard  ended  the  affair  by  boldly  covering  the  whole  be- 
neath a  color  that  he  christened  "  sunshine,"  a  cheap  way, 
as  he  assured  his  cousin,  the  Judge,  of  always  keeping  fair 
weather  over  his  head.  The  platform,  as  well  as  the  eaves 
of  the  house,  were  surmounted  by  gaudily  painted  railings, 
and  the  genius  of  Hiram  was  exerted  in  the  fabrication  of 
divers  urns  and  mouldings,  that  were  scattered  profusely 
around  this  part  of  their  labors.  Richard  had  originally 
a  cunning  expedient,  by  wrhich  the  chimneys  were  intended 
to  be  so  low,  and  so  situated,  as  to  resemble  ornaments  on 
the  balustrades  ;  but  comfort  required  that  the  chimneys 
should  rise  with  the  roof,  in  order  that  the  smoke  might 
be  carried  off,  and  they  thus  became  four  extremely  con- 
spicuous objects  in  the  view. 


38  THE  PIONEERS. 

As  this  roof  was  much  the  most  important  architectural 
undertaking  in  which  Mr.  Jones  was  ever  engaged,  his 
failure  produced  a  correspondent  degree  of  mortification. 
At  first,  he  whispered  among  his  acquaintances  that  it  pro- 
ceeded from  ignorance  of  the  square  rule  on  the  part  of 
Hiram  ;  but,  as  his  eye  became  gradually  accustomed  to 
the  object,  he  grew  better  satisfied  with  his  labors,  and, 
instead  of  apologizing  for  the  defects,  he  commenced 
praising  the  beauties  of  the  mansion-house  ;  he  so6n  found 
hearers ,  and,  as  wealth  and  comfort  are  at  all  times  at- 
tractive, it  was,  as  has  been  said,  made  a  model  for  imita- 
tion on  a  small  scale.  In  less  than  two  years  from  its 
erection,  he  had  the  pleasure  of  standing  on  the  elevated 
platform,  and  of  looking  down  on  three  humble  imitators 
of  its  beauty.  Thus  it  is  ever  with  fashion,  which  even 
renders  the  faults  of  the  great  subjects  of  admiration. 

Marmaduke  bore  this  deformity  in  his  dwelling  with 
great  good  nature,  and  soon  contrived,  by  his  own  improve- 
ments, to  give  an  air  of  respectability  and  comfort  to  his 
place  of  residence.  Still,  there  was  much  of  incongruity, 
even  immediately  about  the  mansion-house.  Although 
poplars  had  been  brought  from  Europe  to  ornament  the 
grounds,  and  willows  and  other  trees  were  gradually  spring- 
ing up  nigh  the  dwelling,  yet  many  a  pile  of  snow  betrayed 
the  presence  of  the  stump  of  a  pine  ;  and  even,  in  one  or 
two  instances,  unsightly  remnants  of  trees  that  had  been 
partly  destroyed  by  fire  were  seen  rearing  their  black, 
glistening  columns  twenty  or  thirty  feet  above  the  pure 
white  of  the  snow.  These,  which  in  the  language  of  the 
country  are  termed  stubs,  abounded  in  the  open  fields  ad- 
jacent to  the  village,  and  were  accompanied,  occasionally, 
by  the  ruin  of  a  pine  or  a  hemlock  that  had  been  stripped 
of  its  bark,  and  which  waved  in  melancholy  grandeur  its 
naked  limbs  to  the  blast,  a  skeleton  of  its  former  glory. 
But  these  and  many  other  unpleasant  additions  to  the 
view  were  unseen  by  the  delighted  Elizabeth,  who,  as  the 
horses  moved  down  the  side  of  the  mountain,  saw  only  in 
gross  the  cluster  of  houses  that  lay  like  a  map  at  her  feet  ; 
the  fifty  smokes  that  were  curling  from  the  valley  to  the 
clouds  ;  the  frozen  lake  as  it  lay  embedded  in  mountains 
of  evergreen,  with  the  long  shadows  of  the  pines  on 
its  white  surface,  lengthening  in  the  setting  sun  ;  the 
dark  ribbon  of  water,  that  gushed  from  the  outlet 
and  was  winding  its  way  toward  the  distant  Chesapeake-^ 


THE  PIONEERS.  39 

the  altered,  though  still  remembered,  scenes  of  her  child- 
hood. 

Five  years  had  wrought  greater  changes  than  a  century 
would  produce  in  countries  where  time  and  labor  have 
given  permanency  to  the  works  of  man.  To  our  young 
hunter  and  the  Judge  the  scene' had  less  novelty  ;  though 
none  ever  emerge  from  the  dark  forests  of  that  mountain, 
and  witness  the  glorious  scenery  of  that  beauteous  valley, 
as  it  bursts  unexpectedly  upon  them,  without  a  feeling  of 
delight.  The  former  cast  one  admiring  glance  from  north 
to  south,  and  sank  his  face  again  beneath  the  folds  of  his 
coat ;  while  the  latter  contemplated,  with  philanthropic 
pleasure,  the  prospect  of  affluence  and  comfort  that  was 
expanding  around  him  ;  the  result  of  his  own  enterprise, 
and  much  of  it  the  fruits  of  his  own  industry. 

The  cheerful  sound  of  sleigh-bells,  however,  attracted  the 
attention  of  the  whole  party,  as  they  came  jingling  up  the 
sides  of  the  mountain,  at  a  rate  that  announced  a  powerful 
team  and  a  hard  driver.  The  bushes  which  lined  the  high- 
way interrupted  the  view,  and  the  two  sleighs  were  close 
upon  each  other  before  either  was  seen. 


CHAPTER   IV. 

"How  now?  whose  mare's  dead?  what's  the  matter?" — FALSTAFF. 

A  LARGE  lumber  sleigh,  drawn  by  four  horses,  was  soon 
seen  dashing  through  the  leafless  bushes  which  fringed 
the  road.  The  leaders  were  of  gray,  and  the  pole-horses 
of  a  jet-black.  Bells  innumerable  were  suspended  from 
every  part  of  the  harness  where  one  of  the  tinkling  balls 
could  be  placed,  while  the  rapid  movement  of  the  equipage, 
in  defiance  of  the  steep  ascent,  announced  the  desire  of  the 
driver  to  ring  them  to  the  utmost.  The  first  glance  at  this 
singular  arrangement  acquainted  the  Judge  with  the  char- 
acter of  those  in  the  sleigh.  It  contained  four  male  figures. 
On  one  of  those  stools  that  are  used  at  writing-desks,  lashed 
firmly  to  the  sides  of  the  vehicle,  was  seated  a  little  man, 
enveloped  in  a  great-coat  fringed  with  fur,  in  such  a  man- 
ner that  no  part  of  him  was  visible  except  a  face  of  an  un- 
varying red  color.  There  was  an  habitual  upward  look 
about  the  head  of  this  gentleman,  as  if  dissatisfied  with  its 


40  THE  PIONEERS. 

natural  proximity  to  the  earth  ;  and  the  expression  of  his 
countenance  was  that  of  busy  care.  He  was  the  charioteer, 
and  he  guided  the  mettled  animals  along  the  precipice  with 
a  fearless  eye  and  a  steady  hand.  Immediately  behind  him, 
with  his  face  toward  the  other  two,  was  a  tall  figure,  to 
whose  appearance  not  eve'n  the  duplicate  overcoats  which 
he  wore,  aided  by  the  corner  of  a  horse-blanket,  could  give 
the  appearance  of  strength.  His  face  was  protruding  from 
beneath  a  woollen  night-cap  ;  and,  when  he  turned  to  the 
vehicle  of  Marniaduke  as  the  sleighs  approached  each 
other,  it  seemed  formed  by  nature  to  cut  the  atmosphere 
with  the  least  possible  resistance.  The  eyes  alone  appeared 
to  create  any  obstacle,  for  from  either  side  of  his  forehead 
their  light-blue,  glassy  balls  projected.  The  sallow  of  his 
countenance  was  too  permanent  to  be  aifected  even  by  the 
intense  cold  of  the  evening.  Opposite  to  this  personage 
sat  a  solid,  short,  and  square  figure.  No  part  of  his  form 
was  to  be  discovered  through  his  overdress,  but  a  face 
that  was  illuminated  by  a  pair  of  black  eyes  that  gave  the 
lie  to  every  demure  feature  in  his  countenance.  %A  fair, 
jolly  wig  furnished  a  neat  and  rounded  outline  to  his  vis- 
age, and  he,  as  well  as  the  other  two,  wore  marten-skin 
caps.  The  fourth  Was  a  meek-looking,  long-visaged  man, 
without  any  other  protection  from  the  cold  than  that  which 
wa's  furnished  by  a  black  surtout,  made  with  some  little  for- 
mality, but  which  was  rather  threadbare  and  rusty.  He 
wore  a  hat  of  extremely  decent  proportions,  though  fre- 
quent brushing  had  quite  destroyed  its  nap.  His  face  was 
pale,  and  withal  a  little  melancholy,  or  what  might  be 
termed  of  a  studious  complexion.  The  air  had  given  it, 
just  now,  a  slight  and  somewhat  feverish  flush.  The  char- 
acter of  his  whole  appearance,  especially  contrasted  to 
the  air  of  humor  in  his  next  companion,  was  that  of  hab- 
itual mental  care.  No  sooner  had  the  two  sleighs  ap- 
proached within  speaking  distance,  than  the  driver  of  this 
fantastic  equipage  shouted  aloud  : 

"  Draw  up  in  the  quarry— draw  up,  thou  king  of  the 
Greeks  ;  draw  into  the  quarry,  Agamemnon,  or  I  shall 
never  be  able  to  pass  you.  Welcome  home,  cousin  'duke 
— welcome,  welcome,  black-eyed  Bess.  Thou  seest,  Mar- 
maduke,  that  I  have  taken  the  field  with  an  assorted  cargo, 
to  do  thee  honor.  Monsieur  Le  Quoi  has  come  out  with 
only  one  cap  ;  Old  Fritz  would  not  stay  to  finish  the 
bottle  ;  and  Mr.  Grant  has  got  to  put  the  *  lastly '  to  his 


THE  PIONEERS.  41 

sermon,  yet.  Even  all  the  horses  would  come — by-the-by. 
Judge,  I  must  sell  the  blacks  for  you  immediately  ;  the} 
interfere,  and  the  nigh  one  is  a  bad  goer  in  double  har- 
ness. I  can  get  rid  of  them  to " 

"Sell  what  thou  wilt,  Dickon,"  interrupted  the  cheerful 
voice  of  the  Judge,  "so  that  thou  leavest  me  my  daughter 
and  my  lands.  Ah !  Fritz,  my  old  friend,  this  is  a  kind 
compliment,  indeed,  for  seventy  to  pay  to  five-and-forty, 
Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  I  am  your  servant.  Mr.  Grant,"  lift- 
ing his  cap,  "  I  feel  indebted  to  your  attention.  Gentle- 
men, I  make  you  acquainted  with  my  child.  Yours  are 
names  with  which  she  is  very  familiar." 

"  Velcome,  velcome,  Tchooge,"  said  the  elder  of  the 
party,  with  a  strong  German  accent.  "Miss  Petsy  vill 
owe  me  a  kiss." 

"  And  cheerfully  will  I  pay  it,  my  good  sir,"  cried  the 
soft  voice  of  Elizabeth  ;  which  sounded,  in  the  clear  air  of 
the  hills,  like  tones  of  silver,  amid  the  loud  cries  of 
Richard.  "I  have  always  a  kiss  for  my  old  friend,  Major 
Hartmann." 

By  this  time  the  gentleman  in  the  front  seat,  who  ha<f 
been  addressed  as  Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  had  arisen  witfe 
some  difficulty,  owing  to  the  impediment  of  his  overcoats, 
and  steadying  himself  by  placing  one  hand  on  the  stool  of 
the  charioteer,  with  the  other  he  removed  his  cap,  and 
bowing  politely  to  the  Judge,  and  profoundly  to  Elizabeth, 
he  paid  his  compliments. 

"Cover  thy  poll,  Gaul,  cover  thy  poll,"  cried  the  driver, 
who  was  Mr.  Richard  Jones  ;  "cover  thy  poll,  or  the  frost 
will  pluck  out  the  remnant  of  thy  locks.  Had  the  hairs 
on  the  head  of  Absalom  been  as  scarce  as  thine,  he  might 
have  been  living  to  this  day."  The  jokes  of  Richard  never 
failed  of  exciting  risibility,  for  he  uniformly  did  honor  to 
his  own  wit ;  and  he  enjoyed  a  hearty  laugh  on  the  present 
occasion,  while  Mr.  Le  (Juoi  resumed  his  seat  with  a  po- 
lite reciprocation  in  his  mirth.  The  clergyman,  for  such 
was  the  office  of  Mr.  Grant,  modestly,  though  quite  affec- 
tionately, exchanged  his  greetings  with  the  travellers  also, 
when  Richard  prepared  to  turn  the  heads  of  his  horses 
homeward. 

It  was  in  the  quarry  alone  that  he  could  effect  this 
object,  without  ascending  to  the  summit  of  the  mountain. 
A  very  considerable  excavation  had  been  made  in  the  side 
of  the  hill,  at  the  point  where  Richard  had  succeeded  ia 


42  THE  PIONEERS. 

stopping  the  sleighs,  from  which  the  stones  used  for 
building  in  the  village  were  ordinarily  quarried,  and  in 
which  he  now  attempted  to  turn  his  team.  Passing  itself 
was  a  task  of  difficulty,  and  frequently  of  danger,  in 
that  narrow  road  ;  but  Richard  had  to  meet  the  additional 
risk  of  turning  his  four-in-hand.  The  black  civilly  volun- 
teered his  services  to  take  off  the  leaders,  and  the  Judge 
very  earnestly  seconded  the  measure  with  his  advice. 
Richard  treated  both  proposals  with  great  disdain. 

"Why,  and  wherefore,  cousin  'duke?"  he  exclaimed,  a 
little  angrily  ;  "  the  horses  are  gentle  as  lambs.  You  know 
that  I  broke  the  leaders  myself,  and  the  pole-horses  are 
too  near  my  whip  to  be  restive.  Here  is  Mr.  Le  Quoi, 
now,  who  must  know  something  about  driving,  because  he 
has  rode  out  so  often  with  me  ;  I  will  leave  it  to  Mr.  Le 
Quoi  whether  there  is  any  danger." 

It  was  not  in  the  nature  of  the  Frenchman  to  disappoint 
expectations  so  confidently  formed  ;  although  he  sat  look- 
ing down  the  precipice  which  fronted  him,  as  Richard 
turned  his  leaders  into  the  quarry,  with  a  pair  of  eyes  that 
stood  out  like  those  of  lobsters.  The  German's  muscles 
were  unmoved,  but  his  quick  sight  scanned  each  move- 
ment. Mr.  Grant  placed  his  hands  on  the  side  of  the 
sleigh,  in  preparation  for  a  spring,  but  moral  timidity  de- 
terred him  from  taking  the  leap  that  bodily  apprehension 
strongly  urged  him  to  attempt. 

Richard,  by  a  sudden  application  of  the  whip,  succeeded 
in  forcing  the  leaders  into  the  snow-bank  that  covered 
the  quarr}7  ;  but  the  instant  that  the  impatient  animals  suf- 
fered by  the  crust,  through  which  they  broke  at  each  step, 
they  positively  refused  to  move  an  inch  farther  in  that  di- 
rection. On  the  contrary,  finding  that  the  cries  and  blows 
of  their  driver  were  redoubled  at  this  juncture,  the  leaders 
backed  upon  the  pole-horses,  who  in  their  turn  backed  the 
sleigh.  Only  a  single  log  lay  above  the  pile  which  upheld 
the  road,  on  the  side  toward  the  valley,  and  this  was  now 
buried  in  the  snow.  The  sleigh  was  easily  forced  across 
so  slight  an  impediment,  and  before  Richard  became  con- 
scious of  his  danger  one-half  of  the  vehicle  was  projected 
over  a  precipice,  which  fell  perpendicularly  more  than  a 
hundred  feet.  The  Frenchman,  who  by  his  position  had 
a  full  view  of  their  threatened  flight,  instinctively  threw 
his  body  as  far  forward  as  possible,  and  cried  "Ah  !  Mon 
cher  Monsieur  Deeck  !  mon  Dieu  !  que  faites-vous  !" 


THE  PIONEERS.  43 

"  Donner  and  blitzen,  Richart !  "  exclaimed  the  veteran 
German,  looking  over  the  side  of  the  sleigh  with  unusual 
emotion,  "  put  you  will  preak  ter  sleigh  and  kilt  tet 
horses  !  " 

"Good  Mr.  Jones,"  said  the  clergyman,  "be  prudent, 
good  sir — be  careful." 

"  Get  up,  obstinate  devils  !  "  cried  Richard,  catching  a 
bird's-eye  view  of  his  situation,  and  in  his  eagerness  to 
move  forward  kicking  the  stool  on  which  he  sat — "get  up, 
I  say — cousin  'duke,  I  shall  have  to  sell  the  grays  too  ;  they 
are  the  worst  broken  horses — Mr.  Le  Quaw  !  "  Richard 
was  too  much  agitated  to  regard  his  pronunciation,  of 
which  he  was  commonly  a  little  vain  :  "Monsieur  Le  Quaw, 
pray  get  off  my  leg  ;  you  hold  my  leg  so  tight  that  it's  no 
wonder  the  horses  back." 

"  Merciful  Providence  !  "  exclaimed  the  Judge  ;  "  they 
tvill  be  all  killed  !  " 

Elizabeth  gave  a  piercing  shriek,  and  the  black  of  Aga- 
"memnon's  face  changed  to  a  muddy  white. 

At  this  critical  moment,  the  young  hunter,  who,  during 
the  salutations  of  the  parties,  had  sat  in  rather  sullen  si- 
lence, sprang  from  the  sleigh  of  Marmaduke  to  the  heads 
of  the  refractory  leaders.  The  horses,  which  were  yet  suf- 
fering under  the  injudicious  and  somewhat  random  blows 
of  Richard,  were  dancing  up  and  down  with  that  ominous 
movement  that  threatens  a  sudden  and  uncontrollable  start, 
still  pressing  backward.  The  youth  gave  the  leaders  a 
powerful  jerk,  and  they  plunged  aside,  and  reentered  the 
road  in  the  position  in  which  they  were  first  halted.  The 
sleigh  was  whirled  from  its  dangerous  position,  and  upset, 
with  the  runners  outward.  The  German  and  the  divine 
were  thrown,  rather  unceremoniously,  into  the  highway, 
but  without  danger  to  their  bones.  Richard  appeared  in 
the  air,  describing  the  segment  of  a  circle,  of  which  the 
reins  were  the  radii,  and  landed,  at  the  distance  of  some 
fifteen  feet,  in  that  snow-bank  which  the  horses  had 
dreaded,  right  end  uppermost.  Here,  as  he  instinctively 
grasped  the  reins,  as  drowning  men  seize  at  straws,  he 
admirably  served  the  purpose  of  an  anchor.  The  French- 
man, who  was  on  his  legs,  in  the  act  of  springing  from  the 
sleigh,  took  an  aerial  flight  also,  much  in  the  attitude  which 
boys  assume  when  they  play  leap-frog,  and,  flying  off  in  a 
tangent  to  the  curvature  of  his  course,  came  into  the  snow* 
bank  head  foremost,  where  he  remained,  exhibiting  two 


44  THE  PIONEERS. 

lathy  legs  on  high,  like  scarecrows  waving  in  a  corn-field 
Major  Hartmann,  whose  self-possession  had  been  admira- 
bly preserved  during  the  whole  evolution,  was  the  first  oi 
the  party  that  gained  his  feet  and  his  voice. 

"  Ter  deyvel,  Richart !  "  he  exclaimed,  in  a  voice  half- 
serious,  half-comical,  "  put  you  unload  your  sleigh  very 
hantily  !  " 

It  may  be  doubtful  whether  the  attitude  in  which  Mr. 
Grant  continued  for  an  instant  after  his  overthrow  was  the 
one  into  which  he  had  been  thrown,  or  was  assumed,  in 
humbling  himself  before  the  Power  that  he  reverenced, 
in  thanksgiving  at  his  escape.  When  he  rose  from  his 
knees,  he  began  to  gaze  about  him,  with  anxious  looks, 
after  the  welfare  of  his  companions,  while  every  joint  in 
his  body  trembled  with  nervous  agitation.  There  was 
some  confusion  in  the  faculties  of  Mr.  Jones  also  ;  but  as 
the  mist  gradually  cleared  from  before  his  eyes,  he  saw 
that  all  was  safe,  and,  with  an  air  of  great  self-satisfaction, 
he  cried,  "  Well — that  was  neatly  saved,  anyhow  ! — it  was 
a  lucky  thought  in  me  to  hold  on  to  the  reins,  or  the  fiery 
devils  would  have  been  over  the  mountain  by  this  time. 
How  well  I  recovered  myself,  'duke  !  Another  moment 
would  have  been  too  late  ;  but  I  knew  just  the  spot  where 
10  touch  the  off-leader ;  that  blow  under  his  right  flank, 
and  the  sudden  jerk  I  gave  the  rein,  brought  them  round 
quite  in  rule,  I  must  own  myself."* 

"  Thou  jerk  !  thou  recover  thyself,  Dickon  ! "  he  said 
"but  for  that  brave  lad  yonder,  thou  and  thy  horses,  of 
rather  mine,  would  have  been  dashed  to  pieces — but  where 
is  Monsieur  Le  Quoi  ? " 

"Oh!  mqn  cher  Juge  !  mon  ami!"  cried  a  smothered 
voice,  "  praise  be  God,  I  live  ;  vill  you,  Mister  Agamemnon, 
be  pleas  come  down  ici,  and  help  me  on  my  leg  ?" 

The  divine  and  the  negro  seized  the  incarcerated  Gaul 
by  his  legs  and  extricated  him  from  a  snow-bank  of  three 
feet  in  depth,  whence  his  voice  had  sounded  as  from  the 
tombs.  The  thoughts  of  Mr.  Le  Quoi,  immediately  on  his 
liberation,  were  not  extremely  collected  ;  and,  when  he 
reached  the  light,  he  threw  his  eyes  upward,  in  order  to 
examine  the  distance  he  had  fallen.  His  good-humor  re- 
turned, however,  with  a  knowledge  of  his  safety,  though  it 

*  The  spectators,  from  immemorial  usage,  have  a  right  to  laugh  at  the 
casualties  of  a  sleigh  ride  ;  and  the  Judge  was  no  sooner  certain  that  na 
harm  was  done  than  he  made  full  use  of  the  privilege. 


THE  PIONEERS.  45 

was  some  little  time  before  he  clearly  comprehended  the 
case. 

"  What,  monsieur,"  said  Richard,  who  was  busily  assist- 
ing the  black  in  taking  off  the  leaders  ;  "  are  you  there  ? 
I  thought  I  saw  you  flying  toward  the  top  of  the  mountain 
just  now." 

"  Praise  be  God,  I  no  fly  down  into  the  lake,"  returned 
the  Frenchman,  with  a  visage  that  was  divided  between 
pain,  occasioned  by  a  few  large  scratches  that  he  had  re- 
ceived in  forcing  his  head  through  the  crust,  and  the  look 
of  complaisance  that  seemed  natural  to  his  pliable  features. 
"  Ah  !  mon  cher  Mister  Deeck,  vat  you  do  next  ? — dere  be 
noting  you  no  try." 

"  The  next  thing  I  trust,  will  be  to  learn  to  drive,"  said 
the  Judge,  who  had  busied  himself  in  throwing  the  buck, 
together  with  several  other  articles  of  baggage,  from  his 
own  sleigh  into  the  snow  ;  "  here  are  seats  for  you  all, 
gentlemen  ;  the  evening  grows  piercingly  cold,  and  the 
hour  approaches  for  the  service  of  Mr.  Grant ;  we  will 
leave  friend  Jones  to  repair  the  damages,  with  the  assist- 
ance of  Agamemnon,  and  hasten  to  a  warm  fire.  Here, 
Dickon,  are  a  few  articles  of  Bess's  trumpery,  that  you 
can  throw  into  your  sleigh  when  ready ;  and  there  is 
also  a  deer  of  my  taking,  that  I  will  thank  you  to  bring. 
Aggy  !  remember  that  there  will  be  a  visit  from  Santa- 
claus  *  to-night." 

The  black  grinned,  conscious  of  the  bribe  that  was  of- 
fered him  for  silence  on  the  subject  of  the  deer,  while  Rich- 
ard, without  in  the  least  waiting  for  the  termination  of  his 
cousin's  speech  began  his  reply  : 

"  Learn  to  drive,  sayest  thou,  cousin  'duke  ?  Is  there  a 
man  in  the  county  who  knows  more  of  horse-flesh  than 
myself?  Who  broke  in  the  filly,  that  no  one  else  dare 
mount,  though  your  coachman  did  pretend  that  he  had 
tamed  her  before  I  took  her  in  hand  ;  but  anybody  could 
see  that  he  lied— he  was  a  great  liar,  that  John — what's 
that,  a  buck  ?" — Richard  abandoned  the  horses,  and  ran  to 
spot  where  Marmaduke  had  thrown  the  deer  ;  "  It  is  a 
buck  !  I  am  amazed  !  Yes,  here  are  two  holes  in  him, 
he  lias  fired  both  barrels,  and  hit  him  each  time.  Ecod  ! 

*  The  periodical  visits  of  St.  Nicholas,  or  Santaclaus,  as  he  is  termed, 
were  never  forgotten  among  the  inhabitants  of  New  York,  until  the  emi- 
gration from  New  England  brought  in  the  opinions  and  usages  of  the  puri« 
tans.  Like  the  "bon  homme  de  Noel,"  he  arrives  at  each  Christmas. 


46  THE  PIONEERS. 

how  Marmadukc  will  brag !  he  is  a  prodigious  bragger 
about  any  small  matter  like  this  now  ;  well,  to  think  that 
'duke  has  killed  a  buck  before  Christmas  !  There  will  be 
no  such  thing  as  living  with  him — they  are  both  bad  shots 
though,  mere  chance— mere  chance — now,  I  never  fired 
twice  at  a  cloven  foot  in  my  life —  it  is  hit  or  miss  with  me 
— dead  or  run  away — had  it  been  a  bear,  or  a  wild  cat,  a 
man  might  have  wanted  both  barrels.  Here  !  you  Aggy  ! 
how  far  off  was  the  Judge  when  this  buck  was  shot  ?  " 

"  Eh  !  massa  Richard,  maybe  a  ten  rod,"  cried  the  black, 
bending  under  one  of  the  horses,  with  the  pretence  of 
fastening  a  buckle,  but  in  reality  to  conceal  the  grin  that 
opened  a  mouth  from  ear  to  ear. 

"  Ten  rod  !  "  echoed  the  other ;  "why,  Aggy,  the  deer  I 
killed  last  winter  was  at  twenty — yes  !  if  anything  it  was 
nearer  thirty  than  twenty.  I  wouldn't  shoot  at  a  deer  at 
ten  rod  :  besides,  you  may  remember,  Aggy,  I  only  fired 
once." 

"Yes,  massa  Richard,  I  'member 'em  !  Natty  Bumppo 
fire  'toder  gun.  You  know,  sir.  all  'e  folks  say  Natty  kill 
him." 

"  The  folks  lie,  you  black  devil ! "  exclaimed  Richard  in 
great  heat.  "  I  have  not  shot  even  a  gray  squirrel  these 
four  years,  to  which  that  old  rascal  has  not  laid  claim,  or 
some  one  else  for  him.  This  is  a  damned  envious  world 
that  we  live  in — people  are  always  for  dividing  the  credit 
of  a  thing,  in  order  to  bring  down  merit  to  their  own  level. 
Now  they  have  a  story  about  the  Patent,*  that  Hiram 
Doolittle  helped  to  plan  the  steeple  to  St.  Paul's  ;  when 
Hiram  knows  that  it  is  entirely  mine ;  a  little  taken  from 
a  print  of  his  namesake  in  London,  I  own  ;  but  essentially, 
as  to  all  points  of  genius,  my  own." 

"I  don't  know  where  he  come  from,"  said  the  black, 
losing  every  mark  of  humoFin  an  expression  of  admiration, 
"  but  eb'ry  body  say,  he  wonnerful  handsome." 

"And  well  they  may  say  so,  Aggy,"  cried  Richard, 
leaving  the  buck  and  walking  up  to  the  negro  with  the  aii 
of  a  man  who  has  new  interest  awakened  \vithin  him.  "  } 

*  The  grants  of  land,  made  either  by  the  crown  or  the  state,  were  by 
letters  patent  under  the  great  seal,  and  the  term  "patent"  is  usually  ap- 
plied to  any  district  of  extent  thus  conceded  ;  though  under  the  crown, 
manorial  rights  being  often  granted  with  the  soil,  in  the  older  counties,  the 
word  "  manor"  is  frequently  used.  There  are  many  manors  in  New  York, 
though  all  political  and  judicial  rights  have  ceased. 


THE  PIONEERS.  47 

think  I  may  say,  without  bragging,  that  it  is  the  hand- 
somest and  the  most  scientific  country  church  in  America.  I 
know  that  the  Connecticut  settlers  talk  about  their  West- 
herfield  meeting-house  ;  but  I  never  believe  more  than  half 
what  they  say,  they  are  such  unconscionable  braggers. 
Just  as  you  have  got  a  thing  done,  if  they  see  it  likely  to 
be  successful,  they  are  always  for  interfering  ;  and  then  it's 
ten  to  one  but  they  lay  claim  to  half,  or  even  all  of  the 
credit.  You  may  remember,  Aggy,  when  I  painted  the  sign 
of  the  bold  dragoon  for  Captain  Hollister,  there  was  that 
fellow,  who  was  about  town  laying  brick-dust  on  the 
houses,  came  one  day  and  offered  to  mix  what  I  call  the 
streaky  black,  for  the  tail  and  mane  ;  and  then,  because  it 
looks  like  horse-hair,  he  tells  everybody  that  the  sign  was 
painted  by  himself  and  Squire  Jones.  -If  Marmaduke  don't 
send  that  fellow  off  the  Patent,  he  may  ornament  his  vil- 
lage with  his  own  hands  for  me."  Here  Richard  paused 
a  moment,  and  cleared  his  throat  by  a  loud  hem,  while  the 
negro,  who  was  all  this  time  busily  engaged  in  preparing 
the  sleigh,  proceeded  with  his  work  in  respectful  silence! 
Owing  to  the  religious  scruples  of  the  Judge,  Aggy  was 
the  servant  of  Richard,  who  had  his  services  for  a.'  time,* 
and  who,  of  course,  commanded  a  legal  claim  to  the  re- 
spect of  the  young  negro.  But  when  any  dispute  between 
his  lawful  and  his  real  master  occurred,  the  black  felt  too 
much  deference  for  both  to  express  any  opinion.  In  the 
meanwhile,  Richard  continued  watching  the  negro  as  he 
fastened  buckle  after  buckle,  until,  stealing  a  look  of  con- 
sciousness toward  the  other,  he  continued  :  "  Now,  if  that 
young  man  who  was  in  ycur  sleigh  is  a  real  Connecticut 
settler,  he  will  be  telling  everybody  how  he  saved  my 
horses,  when,  if  he  had  let  them  alone  for  half  a  minute 
longer,  I  would  have  brought  them  in  much  better,  with- 
out upsetting,  with  the  whip  and  rein — it  spoils  a  horse  to 

*  The  manumission  of  the  slaves  in  New  York  has  been  gradual.  When 
public  opinion  became  strong  in  their  favor,  then  grew  up  a  custom  of  buy- 
ing the  services  of  a  slave,  for  six  or  eight  years,  with  a  condition  to  lib- 
erate him  at  the  end  of  the  period.  Then  the  law  provided  that  all  born 
after  a  certain  day  should  be  free,  the  males  at  twenty-eight  and  the  fe- 
males at  twenty-five.  After  this  the  owner  was  obliged  to  cause  his  ser- 
vants to  be  taught  to  read  and  write  before  they  reached  the  age  of  eighteen, 
and,  finally,  the  few  that  remained  were  all  unconditionally  liberated  in 
1826,  or  after  the  publication  of  this  tale.  It  was  quite  usual  for  men 
more  or  less  connected  with  the  Quakers,  who  never  held  slaves,  to  adopt 
the  first  expedient. 


48  THE  PIONEERS. 

give  him  his  head.  I  should  not  wonder  if  I  had  to  sell 
the  whole  team,  just  for  that  one  jerk  he  gave  them." 
Richard  paused  and  hemmed  ;  for  his  conscience  smote 
him  a  little  for  censuring  a  man  who  had  just  saved  his 
life.  "  Who  is  the  lad,  Aggy — I  don't  remember  to  have 
seen  him  before  ?  " 

The  black  recollected  the  hint  about  Santaclaus  ;  and. 
while  he  briefly  explained  how  they  had  taken  up  the  per- 
son in  question  on  the  top  of  the  mountain,  he  forbore  to 
add  anything  concerning  the  accident  of  the  wound,  on)y 
saying  that  he  believed  the  youth  was  a  stranger.  It  was 
so  usual  for  men  of  the  first  rank  to  take  into  their  sleighs 
any  one  they  found  toiling  through  the  snow,  that  Richard 
was  perfectly  satisfied  with  this  explanation.  He  heard 
Aggy  with  great  attention,  and  then  remarked,  "  Well,  if 
the  lad  has  not  been  spoiled  by  the  people  in  Templeton 
he  may  be  a  modest  young  man,  and,  as  he  certainly  meant 
well,  I  shall  take  some  notice  of  him — perhaps  he  is  land- 
hunting — I  say,  Aggy,  maybe  he  is  out  hunting  ? " 

"  Eh  !  yes,  massa  Richard,"  said  the  black,  a  little  con- 
fused ;  for,  as  Richard  did  all  the  flogging,  he  stood  in 
great  terror  of  his  master,  in  the  main — "  Yes,  sir,  I  b'lieve 
he  be." 

"  Had  he  a  pack  and  an  axe  ?  " 

"  No,  sir,  only  he  rifle." 

"  Rifle !  "  exclaimed  Richard,  observing  the  confusion  oi 
the  negro,  which  now  amounted  to  terror.  "  By  Jove,  he 
killed  the  deer !  I  knew  that  Marmaduke  couldn't  kill  a 
buck  on  the  jump — how  was  it,  Aggy  ?  tell  me  all  about 
it,  and  I'll  roast  'duke  quicker  than  he  can  roast  his  saddle 
— how  was  it,  Aggy  ?  the  lad  shot  the  buck,  and  the  Judge 
bought  it,  ha  !  and  he  is  taking  the  youth  down  to  get  the 
pay  ? " 

The  pleasure  of  this  discovery  had  put  Richard  in  such 
a  good  humor,  that  the  negro's  fears  in  some  measure 
vanished,  and  he  remembered  the  stocking  of  Santaclaus, 
After  a  gulp  or  two,  he  made  out  to  reply  : 

"  You  forgit  a  two  shot,  sir  ? " 

"  Don't  lie,  you  black  rascal  !  "  cried  Richard,  stepping 
^pn  the  snow  bank  to  measure  the  distance  from  his  lash  to 
the  negro's  back  ;  "  speak  truth,  or  I  trounce  you."  While 
speaking,  the  stock  was  slowly  rising  in  Richard's  right 
hand,  and  the  lash  drawing  through  his  left,  in  the  scientific 
manner-  witn  which  drummers  apply  the  cat  ;  and  Aga* 


THE  PIONEERS.  49 

memnon,  after  turning  each  side  of  himself  toward  his 
master,  and  finding  both  equally  unwilling  to  remain  there, 
fairly  gave  in.  In  a  very  few  words  he  made  his  master 
acquainted  with  the  truth,  at  the  same  time  earnestly  con- 
juring Richard  to  protect  him  from  the  displeasure  of  the 
Judge. 

"  I'll  do  it,  boy,  I'll  do  it,"  cried  the  other,  rubbing  his 
hands  with  delight ;  "  say  nothing,  but  leave  me  to  manage 
'duke.  I  have  a  great  mind  to  leave  the  deer  on  the  hill, 
and  to  make  the  fellow  send  for  his  own  carcass  ;  but  no, 
I  will  let  Marmaduke  tell  a  few  bounces  about  it  before  I 
come  out  upon  him.  Come,  hurry  in,  Aggy,  I  must  help 
'to  dress  the  lad's  wound  ;  this  Yankee  *  doctor  knows  noth- 
ing of  surgery — I  had  to  hold  out  Milligan's  leg  for  him, 
while  he  cut  it  off." — Richard  was  now  seated  on  the  stool 
again,  and,  the  black  taking  the  hind  seat,  the  steeds  were 
put  in  motion  toward  home.  As  they  dashed  down  the 
hill,  on  a  fast  trot,  the  driver  occasionally  turned  his  face 
to  Aggy,  and  continued  speaking;  for,  notwithstanding 
their  recent  rupture,  the  most  perfect  cordiality  was  again 
existing  between  them.  "  This  goes  to  prove  that  I  turned 
the  horses  with  the  reins,  fo'r  no  man  who  is  shot  in  the 
right  shoulder  can  have  strength  enough  to  bring  round 
such  obstinate  devils.  I  knew  I  did  it  from  the  first ;  but 
I  did  not  want  to  multiply  words  with  Marmaduke  about 
it. — Will  you  bite,  you  villain  ? — hip,  boys,  hip  !  Old 
Natty,  too,  that  is  the  best  of  it !— Well,  well— 'duke  will 
say  no  more  about  my  deer — and  the  Judge  fired  both 
barrels,  and  hit  nothing  but  a  poor  lad,  who  was  behind  a 
pine-tree.  I  must  help  that  quack  to  take  out  the  buck- 
shot for  the  poor  fellow."  In  this  manner  Richard  de- 
scended the  mountain  ;  the  bells  ringing,  and  his  tongue 
going,  until  they  entered  the  village,  when  the  whole  at- 
tention of  the  driver  was  devoted  to  a  display  of  his  horse* 
manship,  to  the  admiration  of  all  the  gaping  women  and 
children  who  thronged  the  windows  to  witness  the  arrival 
of  their  landlord  and  his  daughter. 

*  In  America  the  term  Yankee  is  of  local  meaning.  It  is  thought  to  be 
derived  from  the  manner  in  which  the  Indians  of  New  England  pronounced 
the  word  "English,"  or  "Yengeese."  New  York  being  originally  a 
Dutch  province,  the  term  of  course  was  not  known  there,  and  farther  south 
different  dialects  among  the  natives  themselves  probably  produced  a  differ- 
ent pronunciation.  Marmaduke  and  his  cousin,  being  Pennsylvaniang  by 
birth,  were  not  Yankees  in  the  American  sense  of  the  word. 


50  THE  PIONEERS. 


CHAPTER  V. 

"Nathaniel's  coat,  sir,  was  not  fully  made, 
And  Gabriel's  pumps  were  all  unpink'd  i'  th'  heel  ; 
There  was  no  link  to  color  Peter's  hat, 
And  Walter's  dagger  was  not  come  from  sheathing  ; 
There  were  none  tine,  but  Adam,  Ralph,  and  Gregory. " 

—  SHAKESPEARE. 

AFTER  winding  along  the  side  of  the  mountain,  the  road, 
on  reaching  the  gentle  declivity  which  lay  at  the  base  of. 
the  hill,  turned  at  a  right  angle  to  its  former  course,  and 
shot  down  an  inclined  plane,  directly  into  the  village  of 
Templeton.  The  rapid  little  stream  that  we  have  already 
mentioned,  was  crossed  by  a  bridge  of  hewn  timber,  which 
manifested,  by  its  rude  construction  and  the  unnecessary 
size  of  its  frame-work,  both  the  value  of  labor  and  the 
abundance  of  materials.  This  little  torrent,  whose  dark 
waters  gushed  over  the  limestones  that  lined  its  bottom, 
was  nothing  less  than  one  of  the  many  sources  of  the  Sus- 
quehanna  ;  a  river  to  which  the  Atlantic  herself  has  ex- 
tended an  arm  in  welcome.  It  was  at  this  point  that  the 
powerful  team  of  Mr.  Jones  brought  him  up  to  the  more 
sober  steeds  of  our  travellers.  A  small  hill  was  risen,  and 
Elizabeth  found  herself  at  once  amidst  the  incongruous 
dwellings  of  the  village.  The  street  was  of  the  ordinary 
width,  notwithstanding  the  eye  might  embrace,  in  one  view, 
thousands  and  tens  of  thousands  of  acres,  that  were  yet 
tenanted  only  by  the  beasts  of  the  forest.  But  such  had 
been  the  will  of  her  father,  and  such  had  also  met  the 
wishes  of  his  followers.  To  them  the  road  that  made  the 
most  rapid  approaches  to  the  condition  of  the  old,  or,  as 
they  expressed  it,  the  down  countries,  was  the  most  pleas- 
ant ;  and  surely  nothing  could  look  more  like  civilization 
than  a  city,  even  if  it  lay  in  a  wilderness  !  The  width  of 
the  street,  for  so  it  was  called,  might  have  been  one  hun- 
dred feet ;  but  the  track  for  the  sleighs  was  much  more 
limited.  On  either  side  of  the  highway  were  piled  huge 
heaps  of  logs,  that  were  daily  increasing  rather  than  dimin- 
ishing in  size,  notwithstanding  the  enormous  fires  that 
might  be  seen  through  every  window. 

The  last  object  at  which  Elizabeth  gazed  when  they  re* 
newed  their  journey,  after  the  rencontre  with   Richard, 


THE  PIONEERS.  51 

was  the  sun.  as  it  expanded  in  the  refraction  of  the  horizon, 
and  over  whose  disk  the  dark  umbrage  of  a  pine  was  steal< 
ing,  while' it  slowly  sank  behind  the  western  hills.  But 
his  setting  rays  darted  along  the  openings  of  the  mountain 
she  was  on,  and  lighted  the  shining  covering  of  the  birches, 
until  their  smooth  and  glossy  coats  nearly  rivalled  the 
mountain  sides  in  color.  The  outline  of  each  dark  pine 
was  delineated  far  in  the  depths  of  the  forest,  and  the  rocks, 
too  smooth  and  too  perpendicular  to  retain  the  snow  that 
had  fallen,  brightened,  as  if  smiling  at  the  leave-taking 
of  the  luminary.  But  at  each  step  as  they  descended, 
Elizabeth  observed  that  they  were  leaving  the  day  behind 
them.  Even  the  heartless  but  bright  rays  of  a  December 
sun  were  missed  as  they  glided  into  the  cold  gloom  of  the 
valley.  Along  the  summits  of  the  mountains  in  the  eastern 
range,  it  is  true,  the  light  still  lingered,  receding  step  by 
step  from  the  earth  into  the  clouds  that  were  gathering 
with  the  evening  mist,  about  the  limited  horizon,  but  the 
frozen  lake  lay  without  a  shadow  on  its  bosom  ;  the  dwell- 
ings were  becoming  already  gloomy  and  indistinct,  and 
the  wood-cutters  were  shouldering  their  axes  and  prepar- 
ing to  enjoy,  throughout  the  long  evening  before  them,  the 
comforts  of  those  exhilarating  fires  that  their  labor  had 
been  supplying  with  fuel.  They  paused  only  to  gaze  at 
the  passing  sleighs,  to  lift  their  caps  to  Marmaduke,  to  ex- 
change familiar  nods  with  Richard,  and  each  disappeared 
in  his  dwelling.  The  paper  curtains  dropped  behind  our 
travellers  in  every  window,  shutting  from  the  air  even  the 
firelight  of  the  cheerful  apartments,  and  when  the  horses 
of  her  father  turned  with  a  rapid  whirl  into  the  open  gate 
of  the  mansion-house,  and  nothing  stood  before  her  hut 
the  cold  dreary  stone  walls  of  the  building,  as  she  ap- 
proached them  through  an  avenue  of  young  and  leafless 
poplars,  Elizabeth  felt  as  if  all  the  loveliness  of  the  moun- 
tain-view had  vanished  like  the  fancies  of  a  dream.  Mar- 
maduke retained  so  much  of  his  early  habits  as  to  reject 
the  use  of  bells,  but  the  equipage  of  Mr.  Jones  came  dash- 
ing through  the  gate  after  them,  sending  its  jingling  sounds 
through  every  cranny  of  the  building,  and  in  a  moment 
the  dwelling  was  in  an  uproar. 

On  a  stone  platform,  of  rather  small  proportions,  con- 
sidering the  size  of  the  building,  Richard  and  Hiram  had, 
conjointly,  reared  four  little  columns  of  wood,  which  ir; 
their  turn  supported  the  shingled  roofs  of  the  portico — 


52  THE  PIONEERS. 

Ihi?  was  the  name  that  Mr.  Jones  had  thought  proper  to 
give  to  a  very  plain,  covered  entrance.  The  ascent  to  the 
platform  was  by  five  or  six  stone  steps,  somewhat  hastily 
laid  together,  and  which  the  frost  had  already  begun  to 
move  from  their  symmetrical  positions.  But  the  evils  o* 
a  cold  climate,  and  a  superficial  construction,  did  not  end 
here.  As  the  steps  lowered,  the  platform  necessarily  fell 
also,  and  the  foundations  actually  left  the  superstructure 
suspended  in  the  air,  leaving  an  open  space  of  a  foot  be- 
tween the  base  of  the  pillars  and  the  stones  on  which  they 
had  originally  been  placed.  It  was  lucky  for  the  whole 
fabric  that  the  carpenter,  who  did  the  manual  part  of  the 
labor,  had  fastened  the  canopy  of  this  classic  entrance  so 
firmly  to  the  side  of  the  house,  that,  when  the  base  deserted 
the  superstructure  in  the  manner  we  have  described,  and 
the  pillars,  for  the  want  of  a  foundation,  were  no  longer 
of  service  to  support  the  roof,  the  roof  was  able  to  uphold 
the  pillars.  Here  was,  indeed,  an  unfortunate  gap  left  in 
the  ornamental  part  of  Richard's  column  ;  but,  like  the 
window  in  Aladdin's  palace,  it  seemed  only  left  in  order  to 
prove  the  fertility  of  its  master's  resources.  The  com- 
posite order  again  offered  its  advantages,  and  a  second 
edition  of  the  base  was  given,  as  the  booksellers  say,  with 
additions  and  improvements.  It  was  necessarily  larger, 
and  it  was  properly  ornamented  with  mouldings  ;  still  the 
steps  continued  to  yield,  and,  at  the  moment  when  Eliza- 
beth returned  to  her  father's  door,  a  few  rough  wedges 
were  driven  under  the  pillars  to  keep  them  steady,  and  to 
prevent  their  weight  from  separating  them  from  the  pedi- 
ment which  they  ought  to  have  supported. 

From  the  great  door  which  opened  into  the  porch 
emerged  two  or  three  female  domestics,  and  one  male. 
The  latter  was  bareheaded,  but  evidently  more  dressed 
•than  usual,  and  on  the  whole  was  of  so  singular  a  forma- 
tion and  attire  as  to  deserve  a.  more  minute  description. 
He  was  about  five  feet  in  height,  of  a  square  and  athletic 
frame,  with  a  pair  of  shoulders  that  would  have  fitted  a 
grenadier.  His  low  stature  was  rendered  the  more  strik- 
ing by  a  bend  forward  that  he  was  in  the  habit  of  assum- 
ing, for  no  apparent  reason,  unless  it  might  be  to  give 
greater  freedom  to  his  arms,  in  a  particularly  sweeping 
swing,  that  they  constantly  practised  when  their  master 
was  in  motion.  His  face  was  long,  of  a  fair  complexion, 
burnt  to  a  fiery  red  ;  with  a  snub  nose,  cocked  into  an 


THE  PIONEERS.  53 

inveterate  pug ;  a  mouth  of  enormous  dimensions,  filled 
with  fine  teeth  ;  and  a  pair  of  blue  eyes,  that  seemed  to 
look  about  them  on  surrounding  objects  with  habitual  con- 
tempt. His  head  composed  full  one-fourth  of  his  whole 
length,  and  the  cue  that  depended  from  its  rear  occupied 
another.  He  wore  a  coat  of  very  light  drab  cloth,  with 
buttons  as  large  as  dollars,  bearing  the  impression  of  a 
"  foul  anchor."  The  skirts  were  extremely  long,  reaching 
quite  to  the  calf,  and  were  broad  in  proportion.  Beneath, 
there  were  a  vest  and  breeches  of  red  plush,  somewhat 
worn  and  soiled.  He  had  shoes  with  large  buckles,  and 
stockings  of  blue  and  white  stripes. 

This  odd-looking  figure  reported  himself  to  be  a  native 
of  the  county  of  Cornwall,  in  the  island  of  Great  Britain. 
His  boyhood  had  passed  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  tin 
mines,  and  his  youth  as  the  cabin-boy  of  a  smuggler,  be- 
tween Falmouth  and  Guernsey.  From  this  trade  he  had 
been  impressed  into  the  service  of  his  king,  and,  for  the 
want  of  a  better,  had  been  taken  into  the  cabin,  first  as  a 
servant,  and  finally  as  steward  to  the  captain.  Here  he 
acquired  the  art  of  making  chowder,  lobscouse,  and  one 
or  two  other  sea-dishes,  and,  as  he  was  fond  of  saying,  had 
an  opportunity  of  seeing  the  world.  With  the  exception 
of  one  or  two  outports  in  France,  and  an  occasional  visit 
to  Portsmouth,  Plymouth,  and  Deal,  he  had  in  reality  seen 
no  more  of  mankind,  however,  than  if  he  had  been  riding 
a  donkey  in  one  of  his  native  mines.  But,  being  dis 
charged  from  the  navy  at  the  peace  of  '83,  he  declared  that, 
as  he  had  seen  all  the  civilized  parts  of  the  earth,  he  was 
inclined  to  make  a  trip  to  the  wilds  of  America.  We  will 
not  trace  him  in  his  brief  wanderings,  under  the  influence 
of  that'spirit  of  emigration  that  sometimes  induces  a  dap- 
per Cockney  to  quit  his  home,  and  lands  him,  before  the 
sound  of  Bow-bells  is  out  of  his  ears,  within  the  roar  of 
the  cataract  of  Niagara  ;  but  shall  only  add,  that,  at  a  very 
early  day,  even  before  Elizabeth  had  been  sent  to  school, 
he  had  found  his  way  into  the  family  of  Marmaduke  Tem- 
ple, where,  owing  to  a  combination  of  qualities  that  will 
be  developed  in  the  course  of  the  tale,  he  held,  under 
Mr.  Jones,  the  office  of  major-domo.  The  name  of  thi* 
worthy  was  Benjamin  Penguillan,  according  to  his  own 
pronunciation  ;  but,  owing  to  a  marvellous  tale  that  he 
was  in  the  habit  of  relating,  concerning  the  length  of  time 
he  had  to  labor  to  keep  his  ship  from  sinking  after  Rodney  s 


54  THE  PIONEERS. 

victory,  he  bad  universally  acquired  the  nickname  of  Ben 
Pump. 

By  the  side  of  Benjamin,  and  pressing  forward  as  if  a 
little  jealous  of  her  station,  stood  a  middle-aged  woman, 
dressed  in  calico,  rather  violently  contrasted  in  color  with 
a  tall,  meagre,  shapeless  figure,  sharp  features,  and  a  some* 
what  acute  expression  of  her  physiognomy.  Her  teeth 
were  mostly  gone,  and  what  did  remain  were  of  a  light 
yellow.  The  skin  of  her  nose  was  drawn  tightly  over  the 
member,  to  hang  in  large  wrinkles  in  her  cheeks  and  about 
her  mouth.  She  took  snuff  in  such  quantities  as  to  create 
the  impression  that  she  owed  the  saffron  of  her  lips  and 
the  adjacent  parts  to  this  circumstance  ;  but  it  was  the  un- 
varying color  of  her  whole  face.  She  presided  over  the 
female  part  of  the  domestic  arrangements,  in  the  capacity 
of  housekeeper  ;  was  a  spinster,  and  bore  the  name  of  Re- 
markable Pettibone.  To  Elizabeth  she  was  an  entire 
stranger,  having  been  introduced  into  the  family  since  the 
death  of  her  mother. 

In  addition  to  these,  were  three  or  four  subordinate 
menials,  mostly  black,  some  appearing  at  the  principal 
door,  and  some  running  from  the  end  of  the  building, 
where  stood  the  entrance  to  the  cellar-kitchen. 

Besides  these,  there  was  a  general  rush  from  Richard's 
kennel,  accompanied  with  every  canine  tone,  from  the  howl 
of  the  wolf-dog  to  the  petulant  bark  of  the  terrier.  The 
master  received  their  boisterous  salutations  with  a  variety 
of  imitations  from  his  own  throat,  when  the  dogs,  probably 
from  shame  of  being  outdone,  ceased  their  outcry.  One 
stately,  powerful  mastiff,  who  wore  round  his  neck  a  brass 
collar,  with  "  M.  T."  engraved  in  large  letters  on  the  rim, 
alone  was  silent.  He  walked  majestically,  amid  the  con- 
fusion, to  the  side  of  the  Judge,  where,  receiving  a  kind 
pat  or  two,  he  turned  to  Elizabeth,  who  even  stooped  to 
kiss  him,  as  she  called  him  kindly  by  the  name  of  "  Old 
Brave."  The  animal  seemed  to  know  her,  as  she  ascended 
the  steps,  supported  by  Monsieur  Le  Quoi  and  her  father, 
in  order  to  protect  her  from  falling  on  the  ice  with  which 
they  were  covered.  He  looked  wistfully  after  her  figure, 
and  when  the  door  closed  on  the  whole  party,  he  laid  him* 
self  in  a  kennel  that  was  placed  nigh  by,  as  if  conscious 
that  the  house  contained  something  of  additional  value  to 
guard. 
.  Elizabeth  followed  her  father,  who  paused  a  moment  to 


TflE  PIONEERS.  55 

whisper  a  message  to  one  of  his  domestics,  into  a  large  hall, 
that  was  dimly  lighted  by  two  candles,  placed  in  high,  old- 
fashioned,  brass  candlesticks.  The  door  closed,  and  the 
party  were  at  once  removed  from  an  atmosphere  that  was 
nearly  at  zero,  to  one  of  sixty  degrees  above.  In  the  centre 
of  the  hall  stood  an  enormous  stove,  the  sides  of  which 
appeared  to  be  quivering  with  heat ;  from  which  a  large, 
straight  pipe,  leading  through  the  ceiling  above,  carried 
off  the  smoke.  An  iron  basin,  containing  water,  was  placed 
on  this  furnace,  for  such  only  it  could  be  called,  in  order 
to  preserve  a  proper  humidity  in  the  apartment.  The  room 
was  carpeted,  and  furnished  with  convenient,  substantial 
furniture,  some  of  which  was  brought  from  the  city,  the 
remainder  having  been  manufactured  by  the  mechanics 
of  Templeton.  There  was  a  sideboard  of  mahogany,  in- 
laid with  ivory,  and  bearing  enormous  handles  of  glitter- 
ing brass,  and  groaning  under  the  piles  of  silver  plate. 
Near  it  stood  a  set  of  prodigious  tables,  made  of  the  wild 
cherry,  to  imitate  the  imported  wood  of  the  sideboard,  but 
plain,  and  without  ornament  of  any  kind.  Opposite  to 
these  stood  a  smaller  table,  formed  from  a  lighter-colored 
wood,  through  the  grains  of  which  the  wavy  lines  of  the 
curled  maple  of  the  mountains  were  beautifully  undulat- 
ing. Near  to  this,  in  a  corner,  stood  a  heavy,  old-fash- 
ioned, brass-faced  clock,  encased  in  a  high  box,  of  the  dark 
hue  of  the  black  walnut  from  the  seashore.  An  enormous 
settee,  or  sofa,  covered  with  light  chintz,  stretched  along 
the  walls  for  near  twenty  feet  on  one  side  of  the  hall  ;  and 
chairs  of  wood,  painted  a  light  yellow,  with  black  lines  that 
were  drawn  by  no  very  steady  hand,  were  ranged  opposite, 
and  in  the  intervals  between  the  other  pieces  of  furniture. 
A  Fahrenheit's  thermometer,  in  a  mahogany  case,  and 
with  a  barometer  annexed,  was  hiing  against  the  wall,  at 
some  little  distance  from  the  stove,  which  Benjamin  con- 
sulted, every  half  hour,  with  prodigious  exactitude.  Two 
small  glass  chandeliers  were  suspended  at  equal  distances 
between  the  stove  and  outer  doors,  one  of  which  opened 
at  each  end  of  the  hall,  and  gilt  lustres  were  affixed  to  the 
framework  of  the  numerous  side-doors  that  led  from  the 
apartment.  Some  little  display  in  architecture  had  been 
made  in  constructing  these  frames  and  casings, which  were 
surmounted  with  pediments,  that  bore  each  a  little  pedes- 
tal in  its  centre  ;  on  the-se  pedestals  were  small  busts  in 
blacked  plaster-of- Paris.  The  style  of  the  pedestals  as 


$6  THE  PIONEERS. 

well  as  the  selection  of  the  busts,  were  all  due  to  the  taste 
of  Mr.  Jones.  On  one  stood  Homer,  a  most  striking  like- 
ness, Richard  affirmed,  "  as  any  one  might  see,  for  it  was 
blind."  Another  bore  the  image  of  a  smooth-visaged  gen- 
tleman with  a  pointed  beard,  whom  he  called  Shakespeare. 
A  third  ornament  was  an  urn,  which,  from  its  shape,  Rich- 
ard was  accustomed  to  say,  intended  to  represent  itself  as 
holding  the  ashes  of  Dido.  A  fourth  was  certainly  old 
Franklin,  in  his  cap  and  spectacles.  A  fifth  as  surely  bore 
the  dignified  composure  of  the  face  of  Washington.  A 
sixth  was  a  nondescript,  representing  "  a  man  with  a  shirt- 
collar  open,"  to  use  the  language  of  Richard,  "with  a  lau- 
rel on  his  head — it  was  Julius  Caesar  or  Dr.  Faustus  ;  there 
were  good  reasons  for  believing  either." 

The  walls  were  hung  with  a  dark,  lead-colored  English 
paper  that  represented  Britannia  weeping  over  the  tomb 
of  Wolfe.  The  hero  himself  stood  at  a  little  distance  from 
the  mourning  goddess,  and  at  the  edge  of  the  paper.  Each 
Jvidth  contained  the  figure,  with  the  slight  exception  of 
one  arm  of  the  general,  which  ran  over  on  the  next  piece, 
so  that  when  Richard  essayed,  with  his  own  hands,  to  put 
together  this  delicate  outline,  some  difficulties  occurred 
that  prevented  a  nice  conjunction  ;  and  Britannia  had  rea- 
son to  lament,  in  addition  to  the  loss  of  her  favorite's  life, 
numberless  cruel  amputations  of  his  right  arm. 

The  luckless  cause  of  these  unnatural  divisions  now  an- 
nounced his  presence  in  the  hall  by  a  loud  crack  of  his 
whip. 

"  Why,  Benjamin  !  you  Ben  Pump  !  is  this  the  manner 
in  which  you  receive  the  heiress  ? "  he  cried.  "  Excuse 
him,  Cousin  Elizabeth.  The  arrangements  were  too  in- 
tricate to  be  trusted  to  every  one  ;  but  now  I  am  here, 
things  will  go  on  better. — Come,  light  up,  Mr.  Penguillan, 
light  up,  light  up,  and  let  us  see  one  another's  faces.  Well, 
'duke,  I  have  brought  home  your  deer  ;  what  is  to  be  done 
with  it,  ha  ?  " 

"  By  the  Lord,  squire,"  commenced  Benjamin,  in  reply, 
first  giving  his  mouth  a  wipe  with  the  back  of  his  hand, 
"if  this  here  thing  had  been  ordered  sum'at  earlier  in  the 
day,  it  might  have  been  got  up,  d'ye  see,  Jo  your  liking. 
I  had  mustered  all  hands  and  was  exercising  candles,  when 
you  hove  in  sight ;  but  when  the  women  heard  your  bells 
they  started  an  end,  as  if  they  were  riding  the  boatswain's 
colt  ;  and,  if-so-be  there  is  that  man  in  the  house  who  car? 


THE  PIONEERS.  ^  %  57 

bring  up  a  parcel  of  women  when  they  have  got  headway 
on  them,  until  they've  run  out  the  end  of  their  rope,  hk; 
name  is  not  Benjamin  Pump.  But  Miss  Betsey  here 
must  have  altered  more  than  a  privateer  in  disguise,  since 
she  has  got  on  her  woman's  duds,  if  she  will  take  offence 
with  an  old  fellow  for  the  small  matter  of  lighting  a  few 
candles." 

Elizabeth  and  her  father  continued  silent,  for  both  ex- 
perienced the  same  sensation  on  entering  the  hall.  The 
former  had  resided  one  year  in  the  building  before  she  left 
home  for  school,  and  the  figure  of  its  lamented  mistress 
was  missed  by  both  husband  and  child. 

But  candles  had  been  placed  in  the  chandeliers  and  lus- 
tres, and  the  attendants  were  so  far  recovered  from  surprise 
as  to  recollect  their  use  ;  the  oversight  was  immediately 
remedied,  and  in  a  minute  the  apartment  was  in  a  blaze  of 
light. 

The  slight  melancholy  of  our  heroine  and  her  father  was 
Danished  by  this  brilliant  interruption  ;  and  the  whole  party 
began  to  lay  aside  the  numberless  garments  they  had  worn 
n  the  air. 

During  this  operation  Richard  kept  up  a  desultory  dia- 
logue with  the  different  domestics,  occasionally  throwing 
out  a  remark  to  the  Judge  concerning  the  deer  ;  but  as  his 
conversation  at  such  moments  was  much  like  an  accom- 
paniment on  a  piano,  a  thing  that  is  heard  without  being 
attended  to,  we  will  not  undertake  the  task  of  recording 
his  diffuse  discourse. 

The  instant  that  Remarkable  Pettibone  had  executed 
her  portion  of  the  labor  in  illuminating,  she  returned  to  a 
position  near  Elizabeth,  with  the  apparent  motive  of  re- 
ceiving the  clothes  that  the  other  threw  aside,  but  in  reality 
to  examine,  with  an  air  of  curiosity — not  unmixed  with 
jealousy — the  appearance  of  the  lady  who  was  to  supplant 
her  in  the  administration  of  their  domestic  economy.  The 
housekeeper  felt  a  little  appalled,  when,  after  clocks,  coats, 
shawls,  and  socks  had  been  taken  off  in  succession,  the  large 
black  hood  was  removed,  and  the  dark  ringlets,  shining 
like  the  raven's  wing,  fell  from  her  head,  and  left  the  sweet 
but  commanding  features  of  the  young  lady  exposed  to 
view.  Nothing  could  be  fairer  and  more  spotless  than  the 
forehead  of  Elizabeth,  and  preserve  the  appearance  of  life 
and  health.  Her  nose  would  have  been  called  Grecia^ 
but  for  a  softly  rounded  swell,  that  gave  in  character  to 


58  .  THE  PIONEERS. 

the  feature  what  it  lost  in  beauty.  Her  mouth,  at  first 
sight,  seemed  only  made  for  love  ;  but,  the  instant  that  its 
muscles  moved,  every  expression  that  womanly  dignity 
could  utter  played  around  it  with  the  flexibility  of  female 
grace.  It  spoke  not  only  to  the  ear,  but  to  the  eye.  So 
much,  added  to  a  form  of  exquisite  proportions,  rather  full 
and  rounded  for  her  years,  and  of  the  tallest  medium 
height,  she  inherited  from  her  mother.  Even  the  color  of 
her  eye,  the  arched  brows,  and  the  long  silken  lashes,  came 
from  the  same  source;  but  its  expression  was  her  father's. 
Inert  and  composed,  it  was  soft,  benevolent,  and  attractive  ; 
but  it  could  be  roused,  and  that  without  much  difficulty. 
At  such  moments  it  was  still  beautiful,  though  it  was  a 
little  severe.  As  the  last  shawl  fell  aside,  and  she  stood 
dressed  in  a  rich,  blue,  riding-habit,  that  fitted  her  form  with 
the  nicest  exactness  ;  her  cheeks  burning  with  roses,  that 
bloomed  the  richer  for  the  heat  of  the  hall,  and  her  eyes 
slightly  suffused  with  moisture  that  rendered  their  ordinary 
beauty  more  dazzling,  and  with  every  feature  of  her  speak- 
ing countenance  illuminated  by  the  lights  that  flared 
around  her,  Remarkable  felt  that  her  own  power  had  ended. 

The  business  of  unrobing  had  been  simultaneous.  Mar- 
maduke  appeared  in  a  suit  of  plain,  neat  black  ;  Monsieur 
Le  Quoi,  in  a  coat  of  snuff  color,  covering  a  vest  of  em- 
broidery, with  breeches,  and  silk  stockings,  and  buckles — 
that  were  commonly  thought  to  be  of  paste.  Major  Hart- 
mann  wore  a  coat  of  sky-blue,  with  large  brass  buttons,  a 
club  wig,  and  boots  ;  and  Mr.  Richard  Jones  had  set  off 
his  dapper  little  form  in  a  frock  of  bottle-green,  with  bul- 
let-buttons, by  one  of  which  the  sides  were  united  over  his 
Well  rounded-waist,  opening  above,  so  as  to  show  a  jacket 
of  red  cloth,  with  an  under-vest  of  flannel,  faced  with  green 
velvet,  and  below,  so  as  to  exhibit  a  pair  of  buckskin 
breeches,  with  long,  soiled,  white  top-boots,  and  spurs  ;  one 
of  the  latter  a  little  bent,  from  its  recent  attacks  on  the 
stool. 

When  the  young  lady  had  extricated  herself  from  her  gar- 
ments, she  was  at  liberty  to  gaze -about  her,  and  to  examine 
not  only  the  household  over  which  she  was  to  preside,  but 
also  the  air  and  manner  in  which  the  domestic  arrange- 
ments were  conducted.  Although  there  was  much  incon- 
gruity in  the  furniture  and  appearance  of  the  hall,  there 
Was  nothing  mean.  The  floor  was  carpeted,  even  in  its  re- 
motest corners.  The  brass  candlesticks,  the  gilt  lustres. 


THE  PIONEERS.  59 

and  the  glass  chandeliers,  whatever  might  be  their  keeping 
as  to  propriety  and  taste,  were  admirably  kept  as  to  aM  the 
purposes  of  use  and  comfort.  They  were  clean  and  glitter- 
ing in  the  strong  light  of  the  apartment.  Compared  with 
the  chill  aspect  ot  the  December  night  without,  the  warmth 
and  brilliancy  of  the  apartment  produced  an  effect  that 
was  not  unlike  enchantment.  Her  eye  had  not  time  to  de- 
tect, in  detail,  the  little  errors,  which,  in  truth  existed,  but 
was  glancing  around  her  in  delight,  when  an  object  arrested 
her  view,  that  was  in  strong  contrast  to  the  smiling  faces 
and  neatly  attired  personages  who  had  thus  assembled  to 
do  honor  to  the  heiress  of  Templeton. 

In  a  corner  of  the  hall  near  the  grand  entrance,  stood 
the  young  hunter,  unnoticed,  and  for  the  moment  appar- 
ently forgotten.  But  even  the  forgetfulness  of  the  Judge, 
which,  under  the  influence  of  strong  emotion,  had  banished 
the  recollection  of  the  wound  of  this  stranger,  seemed  sur- 
passed by  the  absence  of  mind  in  the  youth  himself.  On 
entering  the  apartment,  he  had  mechanically  lifted  his  cap, 
and  exposed  a  head  covered  with  hair  that  rivalled,  in 
color  and  gloss,  the  locks  of  Elizabeth.  Nothing  could 
have  wrought  a  greater  transformation  than  the  single  act 
of  removing  the  rough  foxskin  cap.  If  there  was  much 
that  was  prepossessing  in  the  countenance  of  the  young 
hunter,  there  was  something  even  noble  in  the  rounded 
outlines  of  his  head  and  brow.  The  very  air  and  manner 
with  which  the  member  haughtily  maintained  itself  over 
the  coarse  and  even  wild  attire  in  which  the  rest  of  his 
frame  was  clad,  bespoke  not  only  familiarity  with  a  splen- 
dor that  in  those  new  settlements  was  thought  to  be  une- 
qualled, but  something  very  like  contempt  also. 

The  hand  that  held  the  cap  rested  lightly  on  the  little 
ivory-mounted  piano  of  Elizabeth,  with  neither  rustic  re- 
straint nor  obtrusive  vulgarity.  A  single  finger  touched 
the  instrument,  as  if  accustomed  to  dwell  on  such  places. 
His  other  arm  was  extended  to  its  utmost  length,  and  the 
hand  grasped  the  barrel  of  his  long  rifle  with  something 
like  convulsive  energy.  The  act  and  the  attitude  were 
both  involuntary,  and  evidently  proceeded  from  a  feeling 
much  deeper  than  that  of  vulgar  surprise.  His  appear- 
ance, connected  as  it  was  with  the  rough  exterior  of  his 
dress,  rendered  him  entirely  distinct  from  the  busy  group 
that  were  moving  across  the  other  end  of  the  long  hall; 
occupied  in  receiving  the  travellers  and  exchanging  their 


60  THE  PIONEERS. 

welcomes  ;  and  Elizabeth  continued  to  gaze  at  him  in 
wonder.  The  contraction  of  the  stranger's  brows  increased 
as  his  eyes  moved  slowly  from  one  object  to  another.  For 
moments  the  expression  of  his  countenance  was  fierce,  and 
then  again  it  seemed  to  pass  away  in  some  painful  emotion. 
The  arm  that  was  extended  bent,  and  brought  the  hand 
nigh  to  his  face,  when  his  head  dropped  upon  it,  and  con- 
cealed the  wonderfully  speaking  lineaments. 

"We  forget,  dear  sir,  the  strange  gentleman"  (for  her 
life,  Elizabeth  could  not  call  him  otherwise),  "  whom  we 
have  brought  here  for  assistance,  and  to  whom  we  owe 
every  attention." 

All  eyes  were  instantly  turned  in  the  direction  of  those 
of  the  speaker,  and  the  youth  rather  proudly  elevated  his 
head  again,  while  he  answered  : 

"My  wound  is  trifling,  and  I  believe  that  Judge  Temple 
sent  for  a  physician  the  moment  wre  arrived." 

"Certainly,"  said  Marmaduke  ;  "I  have  not  forgotten 
the  object  of  thy  visit,  young  man,  nor  the  nature  of  my 
debt." 

"  Oh  !  "  exclaimed  Richard,  with  something  of  a  waggish 
leer,  "thou  owest  the  lad  for  the  venison,  I  suppose,  that 
thou  killed,  cousin  'duke  !  Marmaduke  !  Marmaduke  ! 
That  was  a  marvellous  tale  of  thine  about  the  buck.' 
Here,  young  man,  are  two  dollars  for  the  deer,  and  Judge 
Temple  can  do  no  less  than  pay  the  doctor.  I  shall  charge 
you  nothing  for  my  services,  but  you  shall  not  fare  the 
worst  for  that.  Come,  come,  'duke  don't  be  down-hearted 
about  it  ;  if  you  missed  the  buck,  you  contrived  to  shoot 
this  poor  fellow  through  a  pine-tree.  Now  I  own  that  you 
have  beat  me  :  I  never  did  such  a  thing  in  all  my  life." 

"And  I  hope  never  will,"  returned  the  Judge,  "  if  you 
are  to  experience  the  uneasiness  that  I  have  suffered  ;  but 
be  of  good  cheer,  my  young  friend,  the  injury  must  be 
small,  as  thou  movest  thy  arm  with  apparent  freedom." 

"  Don't  make  the  matter  worse,  'duke,  by  pretending  to 
talk  about  surgery,"  interrupted  Mr.  Jones,  with  a  con- 
temptuous  wave  of  the  hand  ;  "  it  is  a  science  that  can  only 
be  learned  by  practice.  You  know  that  my  grandfather 
was  a  doctor,  but  you  haven't  got  a  drop  of  medical  blood 
in  your  veins.  These  kind  of  things  run  in  families.  All 
my  family  by  my  father's  side  had  a  knack  at  physic. 
There  was  my  uncle  that  was  killed  at  Brandy  wine— he 
died  as  easy  again  as  any  other  man  in  the  regiment,  just 


THE  PIONEERS.  61 

from  knowing  how  to  hold  his  breath  naturally.     Few  men 
know  how  to  breathe  naturally." 

"  I  doubt  not,  Dickon,"  returned  the  Judge,  meeting  the 
bright  smile  which,  in  spite  of  himself,  stole  over  the 
stranger's  features,  "  that  thy  family  thoroughly  under- 
stood the  art  of  letting  life  slip  through  their  fingers." 

Richard  heard  him  quite  coolly,  and  putting  a  hand  in 
either  pocket  of  his  surtout,  so  as  to  press  forward  the 
skirts,  began  to  whistle  a  tune  ;  but  the  desire  to  reply, 
overcame  his  philosophy,  and  with  great  heat  he  ex- 
claimed : 

11  You  may  affect  to  smile,  Judge  Temple,  at  hereditary 
virtues,  if  you  please ;  but  there  is  not  a  man  on  your  Pat- 
ent who  don't  know  better.  Here,  even  this  young  man, 
who  has  never  seen  anything  but  bears,  and  deer,  and 
woodchucks,  knows  better  than  to  believe  virtues  are  not 
transmitted  in  families.  Don't  you,  friend  ? " 

"  I  believe  that  vice  is  not,"  said  the  stranger  abruptly 
— his  eye  glancing  from  the  father  to  the  daughter. 

"The  squire  is  right,  Judge,"  observed  Benjamin,  with 
a  knowing  nod  of  his  head  toward  Richard,  that  bespoke 
the  cordiality  between  them.  "  Now,  in  the  old  country, 
the  king's  majesty  touches  for  the  evil,  and  that  is  a  dis- 
order that  the  greatest  doctor  in  the  fleet,  or  for  the  matter 
of  that,  admiral  either,  can't  cure  ;  only  the  king's  majesty 
or  a  man  that's  been  hanged.  Yes,  the  squire  is  right  ;  for 
if-so-be  that  he  wasn't,  how  is  it  that  the  seventh  son  al- 
ways is  a  doctor,  whether  he  ships  for  the  cockpit  or  not  ? 
Now  when  we  fell  in  with  the  mounsheers,  under  De 
Grasse,  d'ye  see,  we  had  aboard  of  us  a  doctor " 

"  Very  well,  Benjamin,"  interrupted  Elizabeth  glancing 
her  eyes  from  the  hunter  to  Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  who  was 
most  politely  attending  to  what  fell  from  each  individual 
in  succession,  "  you  shall  tell  me  of  that,  and  all  your  en- 
tertaining adventures  together  ;  just  now,  a  r,oom  must  be 
prepared,  in  which  the  arm  of  this  gentleman  can  be 
dressed." 

"  I  will  attend  to  that  myself,  Cousin  Elizabeth,"  observed 
Richard,  somewhat  haughtily.  "  The  young  man  will  not 
suffer  because  Marmaduke  chooses  to  be  a  little  obstinate. 
Follow  me,  my  friend,  and  I  will  examine  the  hurt  myself." 

"  It  will  be  well  to  wait  for  the  physician,"  said  the  hun- 
ter, coldly  ;  "  he  cannot  be  distant." 

Richard  paused  and  looked  at  the  speaker,  a  little  aston- 


62  THE  PIONEERS. 

ished  at  the  language,  and  a  good  deal  appalled  at  the  re* 
fusal.  He  construed  the  latter  into  an  act  of  hostility,  and, 
placing  his  hands  in  the  pockets  again,  he  walked  up  to 
Mr.  Grant,  and,  putting  his  face  close  to  the  countenance 
of  the  divine,  said  in  an  undertone  : 

"  Now,  mark  my  words — there  will  be  a  story  among  the 
settlers,  that  all  our  necks  would  have  been  broken  but  for 
that  fellow — as  if  I  did  not  know  how  to  drive.  Why,  you 
might  have  turned  the  horses  yourself,  sir  ;  nothing  was 
easier  ;  it  was  only  pulling  hard  on  the  nigh  rein,  and 
touching  the  off  flank  of  the  leader.  I  hope,  my  dear  sir, 
you  are  not  at  all  hurt  by  the  upset  the  lad  gave  us  ? " 

The  reply  was  interrupted  by  the  entrance  of  the  village 
physician. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

"And  about  his  shelves, 

A  beggarly  account  of  empty  boxes. 

Green  earthen  pots,  bladders,  and  musty  seeds, 

Remnants  of  packthread,  and  old  cakes  of  roses, 

Were  thinly  scattered  to  make  up  a  show." — SHAKESPEARE. 

DOCTOR  ELNATHAN  TODD,  for  such  was  the  name  of  the 
man  of  physic,  was  commonly  thought  to  be,  among  the 
settlers,  a  gentleman  of  great  mental  endowments,  and  he 
was  assuredly  of  rare  personal  proportions.  In  height  he 
measured,  without  his  shoes,  exactly  six  feet  and  four 
inches.  His  hands,  feet,  and  knees,  corresponded  in  every 
respect  with  this  formidable  stature  ;  but  every  other  part 
of  his  frame  appeared  to  have  been  intended  for  a  man 
several  sizes  smaller,  if  we  except  the  length  of  the  limbs. 
His  shoulders  were  square,  in  one  sense  at  least,  being  in 
a  right  line  from  one  side  to  the  other  ;  but  they  were  so 
narrow,  that  the  long  dangling  arms  they  supported  seemed 
to  issue  out  of  his  back.  His  neck  possessed,  in  an  emi- 
nent degree,  the  property  of  length  to  which  we  have 
alluded,  and  it  was  topped  by  a  small  bullet-head  that  ex- 
hibited, on  one  side  a  bush  of  bristling  brown  hair,  and  on 
the  other  a  short,  twinkling  visage,  that  appeared  to  main- 
tain a  constant  struggle  with  itself  in  order  to  look  wise. 
He  was  the  youngest  son  of  a  farmer  in  the  western  part 
of  Massachusetts,  who,  being  in  somewhat  easy  circum- 
stances, had  allowed  this  boy  to  shoot  up  to  the  height  we 


THE  PIONEERS.  63 

have  mentioned,  without  the  ordinary  interruptions  of 
field-labor,  wood-chopping,  and  such  other  toils  as  were 
imposed  on  his  brothers.  Elnathan  was  indebted  for  this 
exemption  from  labor  in  some  measure  to  his  extraordi- 
nary growth,  which,  leaving  him  pale,  inanimate,  and  list- 
less, induced  his  tender  mother  to  pronounce  him  "  a  sickly 
boy,  and  one  that  was  not  equal  to  work,  but  who  might 
earn  a  living  comfortably  enough,  by  taking  to  pleading 
law,  or  turning  minister,  or  doctoring,  or  some  such  like 
easy  calling."  Still,  there  was  great  uncertainty  which  of 
these  vocations  the  youth  was  best  endowed  to  fill  ;  but, 
having  no  other  employment,  the  stripling  was  constantly 
lounging  about  the  "  homestead,"  munching  green  apples, 
and  hunting  for  sorrel  ;  when  the  same  sagacious  eye  that 
had  brought  to  light  his  latent  talents,  seized  upon  this 
circumstance,  as  a  clue  to  his  future  path  through  the 
turmoils  of  the  world.  "Elnathan  was  cut  out  for  a  doc- 
tor, she  knew,  for  he  was  forever  digging  for  herbs,  and 
tasting  all  kinds  of  things  that  grow'd  about  the  lots.  Then 
again  he  had  a  natural  love  for  doctor-stuff,  for  when  she 
had  left  the  bilious  pills  out  for  her  man,  all  nicely  covered 
with  maple  sugar,  just  ready  to  take,  Nathan  had  come  in 
and  swallowed  them  for  all  the  world  as  if  they  were  noth- 
ing, while  Ichabod  (her  husband)  could  never  get  one 
down  without  making  such  desperate  faces,  that  it  was 
awful  to  look  on." 

This  discovery  decided  the  matter.  Elnathan,  then 
about  fifteen,  was,  much  like  a  wild  colt,  caught  and 
trimmed  by  clipping  his  bushy  locks  ;  dressed  in  a  suit  of 
homespun,  dyed  in  the  butternut  bark  ;  furnished  with  a 
"  New  Testament,"  and  a  "  Webster's  Spelling  Book,"  and 
sent  to  school.  As  the  boy  was  by  nature  quite  shrewd 
enough,  and  had  previously,  at  odd  times,  laid  the  founda- 
tions of  reading,  writing,  and  arithmetic,  he  was  soon  con- 
spicuous in  the  school  for  his  learning.  The  delighted 
mother  had  the  gratification  of  hearing,  from  the  lips  of 
the  master,  that  her  son  was  a  "  prodigious  boy,  and  far 
above  all  his  class."  He  also  thought  that  "  the  youth 
had  a  natural  love  for  doctoring,  as  he  had  known  him 
frequently  advise  the  smaller  children  against  eating  too 
much  ;  and,  once  or  twice,  when  the  ignorant  little  things 
had  persevered  in  opposition  to  Elnathan's  advice,  he  had 
known  her  son  empty  the  school-baskets  with  his  own 
mouth,  to  prevent  the  consequences." 


64  THE  PIONEERS, 

Soon  after  this  comfortable  declaration  from  his  school* 
master,  the  lad  was  removed  to  the  house  of  the  village 
doctor,  a  gentleman  whose  early  career  had  not  been  un- 
like that  of  our  hero,  where  he  was  to  be  seen  sometimes 
watering  a  horse,  at  others  wafering  medicines,  blue,  yel- 
low, and  red  ;  then  again  he  might  be  noticed  lolling  un- 
der an  apple-tree,  with  Ruddiman's  Latin  Grammar  in  his 
hand,  and  a  corner  of  Denman's  Midwifery  sticking  out 
of  a  pocket  ;  for  his  instructor  held  it  absurd  to  teach  his 
pupil  how  to  despatch  a  patient  regularly  from  this  world, 
before  he  knew  how  to  bring  him  into  it. 

This  kind  of  life  continued  for  a  twelvemonth,  when  he 
suddenly  appeared  at  a  meeting  in  a  long  coat  (and  well 
did  it  deserve  the  name  !)  of  black  homespun,  with  little 
bootees,  bound  with  an  uncolored  calf-skin,  for  the  want 
of  red  morocco. 

Soon  after  he  was  seen  shaving  with  a  dull  razor.  Three 
or  four  months  had  scarce  elapsed  before  several  elderly 
ladies  were  observed  hastening  toward  the  house  of  a  poor 
Woman  iu  the  village,  while  others  were  running  to  and 
fro  in  great  apparent  distress.  One  or  two  boys  were 
mounted,  bareback,  on  horses,  and  sent  off  at  speed  in 
Various  directions.  Several  indirect  questions  were  put 
concerning  the  place  where  the  physician  was  last  seen  ; 
but  all  would  not  do  ;  and  at  length  Elnathan  was  seen 
issuing  from  his  door  with  a  very  grave  air,  preceded  by  a 
little  white-headed  boy,  out  of  breath,  trotting  before  him. 
The  following  day  the  youth  appeared  in  the  street,  as  the 
highway  was  called,  and  the  neighborhood  was  much 
edified  by  the  additional  gravity  of  his  air.  The  same 
week  he  bought  a  new  razor  ;  and  the  succeeding  Sunday 
he  entered  the  meeting-house  with  a  red  silk  handkerchief 
in  his  hand,  and  with  an  extremely  demure  countenance. 
In  the  evening  he  called  upon  a  young  woman  of  his  own 
class  in  life,  for  there  were  no  others  to  be  found,  and, 
when  he  was  left  alone  with  the  fair,  he  was  called,  for  the 
first  time  in  his  life,  Dr.  Todd,  by  her  prudent  mother. 
The  ice  once  broken  in  this  manner,  Elnathan  was  greeted 
from  every  mouth  with  his  official  appellation. 

Another  year  passed  under  the  superintendence  of  the 
same  master,  during  which  the  young  physician  had  the 
credit  of  "  riding  with  the  old  doctor,"  although  they  were 
generally  observed  to  travel  different  roads.  At  the  end 
of  that  period,  Dr.  Todd  attained  his  legal  majority.  He 


THE  PIONEERS.  65 

then  took  a  jaunt  to  Boston  to  purchase  medicines,  and, 
as  some  intimated,  to  walk  the  hospital  ;  we  know  not 
how  the  latter  might  have  been,  but,  if  true,  he  soon 
walked  through  it,  for  he  returned  within  a  fortnight, 
bringing  with  him  a  suspicious-looking  box,  that  smelled 
powerfully  of  brimstone. 

The  next  Sunday  he  was  married,  and  the  following 
morning  he  entered  a  one-horse  sleigh  with  his  bride, 
having  before  him  the  box  we  have  mentioned,  with  an- 
other filled  with  home-made  household  linen,  a  paper- 
covered  trunk,  with  a  red  umbrella  lashed  to  it,  a  pair  of 
quite  new  saddle-bags,  and  a  bandbox.  The  next  intelli- 
gence that  his  friends  received  of  the  bride  and  bride- 
groom was,  that  the  latter  was  "  settled  in  the  new  coun- 
tries, and  well  to  do  as  a  doctor  in  Templeton,  in  York 
State!" 

If  a  Templar  would  smile  at  the  qualifications  of  Mar- 
maduke  to  fill  the  judicial  seat  he  occupied,  we  are  certain 
that  a  graduate  of  Leyden  or  Edinburgh  would  be  extreme- 
ly amused  with  this  true  narration  of  the  servitude  of  El- 
nathan  in  the  temple  of  ^Esculapius.  But  the  same  conso- 
lation was  afforded  to  both  the  jurist  and  the  leech  ;  for 
Dr.  Todd  was  quite  as  much  on  a  level  with  his  compeers 
of  the  profession  in  that  country,  as  was  Marmaduke  with 
his  brethren  on  the  bench. 

Time  and  practice  did  wonders  for  the  physician.  He 
was  naturally  humane,  but  possessed  of  no  small  share  of 
moral  courage  ;  or,  in  other  words,  he  was  chary  of  the 
lives  of  his  patients,  and  never  tried  uncertain  experi- 
ments on  such  members  of  society  as  wrere  considered  use- 
ful ;  but,  once  or  twice,  when  a  luckless  vagrant  had  come 
under  his  care,  he  was  a  little  addicted  to  trying  the  effects 
of  every  phial  in  his  saddle-bags  on  the  stranger's  consti- 
tution. Happily  their  number  was  small,  and  in  most 
cases  their  natures  innocent.  By  these  means  Elnathan 
had  acquired  a  certain  degree  of  knowledge  in  fevers  and 
agues,  and  could  talk  with  judgment  concerning  inter- 
mittents,  remittents,  tertians,  quotidians,  etc.  In  certain 
cutaneous  disorders  very  prevalent  in  new  settlements,  he 
was  considered  to  be  infallible  ;  and  there  was  no  woman 
on  the  Patent  but  would  as  soon  think  of  becoming  a 
mother  without  a  husband  as  without  the  assistance  of  Dr. 
Todd.  In  short,  he  was  rearing,  on  this  foundation  of 
sand,  a  superstructure  cemented  by  practice,  though  com' 


66  THE  PIONEERS. 

posed  of  somewhat  brittle  materials.  He,  however,  occa- 
sionally renewed  his  elementary  studies,  and,  with  the 
observation  of  a  shrewd  mind,  was  comfortably  applying 
his  practice  to  his  theory. 

In  surgery,  having  the  least  experience,  and  it  being  a 
business  that  spoke  directly  to  the  senses,  he  was  most  apt 
to  distrust  his  own  powers  ;  but  he  had  applied  oils  to 
several  burns,  cut  round  the  roots  of  sundry  defective 
teeth,  and  sewed  up  the  wounds  of  numberless  wood- 
choppers,  with  considerable  c'clat,  when  an  unfortunate 
jobber*  suffered  a  fracture  of  his  leg  by  the  tree  that  he 
had  been  felling.  It  was  on  this  occasion  that  our  hero 
encountered  the  greatest  trial  his  nerves  and  moral  feel- 
ing had  ever  sustained.  In  the  hour  of  need,  however,  he 
was  not  found  wanting.  Most  of  the  amputations  in  the 
new  settlements,  and  they  were  quite  frequent,  were  per- 
formed by  some  one  practitioner  who,  possessing  origin- 
ally a  reputation,  was  enabled  by  this  circumstance  to  ac- 
quire an  experience  that  rendered  him  deserving  of  it  ; 
and  Elnathan  had  been  present  at  one  or  two  of  these 
operations.  But  on  the  present  occasion  the  man  of  prac- 
tice was  not  to  be  obtained,  and  the  duty  fell,  as  a  matter 
of  course,  to  the  share  of  Mr.  Todd.  He  went  to  work 
with  a  kind  of  blind  desperation,  observing,  at  the  same 
time,  all  the  externals  of  decent  gravity  and  great  skill. 
The  sufferer's  name  was  Milligan,  and  it  wras  to  this  event 
that  Richard  alluded,  when  he  spoke  of  assisting  the  doc- 
tor at  an  amputation — by  holding  the  leg  !  The  limb  was 
certainly  cut  off,  and  the  patient  survived  the  operation. 
It  was,  however,  two  years  before  poor  Milligan  ceased  to 
complain,  that  they  had  buried  the  leg  in  so  narrow  a  box 
that  it  was  straitened  for  room  ;  he  could  feel  the  pain 
shooting  up  from  the  inhumed  fragment  into  the  living 
members.  Marmaduke  suggested  that  the  fault  might  lie 
in  the  arteries  and  nerves  ;  but  Richard,  considering  the 
amputation  as  part  of  his  own  handiwork,  strongly  re- 
pelled the  insinuation,  at  the  same  time  declaring  that  he 
had  often  heard  of  men  who  could  tell  when  it  was  about 
to  rain,  by  the  toes  of  amputated  limbs.  After  two  or 
three  years,  notwithstanding,  Milligan's  complaints  gradu- 
ally diminished,  the  leg  was  dug  up,  and  a  larger  box  fur- 
nished, and  from  that  hour  no  one  had  heard  the  sufferer 
utter  another  complaint  on  the  subject.  This  gave  the 
*  People  who  clear  land  by  the  acre  or  job  are  thus  called. 


THE  PIONEERS.  67 

public  great  confidence  in  Dr.  Todd,  whose  reputation 
was  hourly  increasing,  and  luckily  for  his  patients,  his  in- 
formation also. 

Notwithstanding  Dr.  Todd's  practice,  and  his  success 
with  the  leg,  he  was  not  a  little  appalled  on  entering  the 
hall  of  the  mansion-house.  It  was  glaring  with  the  light 
of  day;  it  looked  so  imposing,  compared  with  the  hastily 
built  and  scantily  furnished  apartments  which  he  fre- 
quented in  his  ordinary  practice,  and  contained  so  many 
well-dressed  persons  and  anxious  faces,  that  his  usually 
firm  nerves  were  a  good  deal  discomposed.  He  had  heard 
from  the  messenger  who  summoned  him,  that  it  was  a  gun- 
shot wound,  and  had  come  from  his  own  home,  wading 
through  the  snow,  with  his  saddle-bags  thrown  over  his 
arm,  while  separated  arteries,  penetrated  lungs,  and  in- 
jured vitals  were  whirling  through  his  brain,  as  if  he  were 
stalking  over  -a  field  of  battle,  instead  of  Judge  Temple's 
peaceable  enclosure. 

The  first  object  that  met  his  eye,  as  he  moved  into  the 
room,  was  Elizabeth  in  her  riding-habit,  richly  laced  with 
gold  cord,  her  fine  form  bending  toward  him,  and  her  face 
expressing  deep  anxiety  in  every  one  of  its  beautiful  fea- 
tures. The  enormous  bony  knees  of  the  physician  struck 
each  other  with  a  noise  that  was  audible  ;  for,  in  the  ab- 
sent state  of  his  mind,  he  mistook  her  for  a  general  officer, 
perforated  with  bullets,  hastening  from  the  field  of  battle 
to  implore  assistance.  The  delusion,  however,  was  but 
momentary,  and  his  eye  glanced  rapidly  from  the  daughter 
to  the  earnest  dignity  of  the  father's  countenance  ;  thence 
to  the  busy  strut  of  Richard,  who  was  cooling  his  impa- 
tience at  the  hunter's  indifference  to  his  assistance,  by 
pacing  the  hall  and  cracking  his  whip  ;  from  him  to  the 
Frenchman,  who  had  stood  for  several  minutes  unheeded 
with  a  chair  for  the  lady  ;  thence  to  Major  Hartmann,  who 
was  very  coolly  lighting  a  pipe  three  feet  long  by  a  candle 
in  one  of  the  chandeliers  ;  thence  to  Mr.  Grant,  who  was 
turning  over  a  manuscript  with  much  earnestness  at  one 
of  the  lustres  ;  thence  to  Remarkable,  who  stood,  with  her 
arms  demurely  folded  before  her,  surveying,  with  a  look 
of  admiration  and  envy,  the  dress  and  beauty  of  the  young 
lady  ;  and  from  her  to  Benjamin,  who,  with  his  feet  stand- 
ing wide  apart,  and  his  arms  a-kimbo,  was  balancing  his 
square  little  body  with  the  indifference  of  one  who  is  ac- 
customed to  wounds  and  bloodshed.  All  of  these  seemed 


68  THE  PIONEERS. 

to  be  unhurt,  and  the  operator  began  to  breathe  more 
freely  ;  but,  before  he  had  time  to  take  a  second  look,  the 
Judge,  advancing,  shook  him  kindly  by  the  hand,  and 
spoke. 

"  Thou  art  welcome,  my  good  sir,  quite  welcome,  indeed  ; 
here  is  a  youth  whom  I  have  unfortunately  wounded  in 
shooting  a  deer  this  evening,  and  who  requires  some  of 
thy  assistance." 

"Shooting  at  a  deer,  'duke,"  interrupted  Richard — 
"  shooting  at  a  deer.  Who  do  you  think  can  prescribe, 
unless  he  knows  the  truth  of  the  case  ?  It  is  always  so 
with  some  people  ;  they  think  a  doctor  can  be  deceived 
with  the  same  impunity  as  another  man." 

"  Shooting  at  a  deer,  truly,"  returned  the  Judge,  smiling, 
"  although  it  is  by  no  means  certain  that  I  did  not  aid  in 
destroying  the  buck  ;  but  the  youth  is  injured  by  my  hand, 
be  that  as  it  may  ;  and  it  is  thy  skill  that  must  cure  him, 
and  my  pocket  shall  amply  reward  thee  for  it." 

"  Two  ver  good  tings  to  depend  on,"  observed  Monsieur 
Le  Quoi,  bowing  politely,  with  a  sweep  of  his  head,  to  the 
Judge  and  to  the  practitioner. 

"I  thank  you,  monsieur,"  returned  the  Judge  ;  "but  we 
keep  the  young  man  in  pain.  Remarkable,  thou  wilt  please 
to  provide  linen  for  lint  and  bandages." 

This  remark  caused  a  cessation  of  the  compliments,  and 
induced  the  physician  to  turn  an  inquiring  eye  in  the  di- 
rection of'  his  patient.  During  the  dialogue  the  young- 
hunter  had  thrown  aside  his  overcoat,  and  now  stood  clad 
in  a  plain  suit  of  the  common,  light-colored  homespun  of 
the  country,  that  was  evidently  but  recently  made.  His 
hand  was  oji  the  lapels  of  his  coat,  in  the  attitude  of  remov- 
ing the  garment,  when  he  suddenly  suspended  the  move- 
ment, and  looked  toward  the  commiserating  Elizabeth, 
who  was  standing  in  an  unchanged  posture,  too  much  ab- 
sorbed with  her  anxious  feelings  to  heed  his  actions.  A 
slight  color  appeared  on  the  brow  of  the  youth. 

"  Possibly  the  sight  of  blood  may  alarm  the  lady  ;  I  will 
retire  to  another  room  while  the  wound  is  dressing." 

"  By  no  means,"  said  Dr.  Todd,  who,  having  discovered 
that  his  patient  was  far  from  being  a  man  of  importance, 
felt  much  emboldened  to  perform  the  duty.  "  The  strong 
light  of  these  candles  is  favorable  to  the  operation,  and  it 
is  seldom  that  we  hard  students  enjoy  good  eyesight." 

While  speaking,  Elnathan  placed  a  pair  of  large  iron- 


THE  PIONEERS.  69 

rimmed  spectacles  on  his  face,  where  they  dropped,  as  it 
were  by  long  practice,  to  the  extremity  of  his  slim  pug 
nose  ;  and,  if  they  were  of  n"o  service  as  assistants  to  his 
eyes,  neither  were  they  any  impediment  to  his  vision  ;  for 
his  little  gray  organs  were  twinkling  above  them,  like  two 
stars  emerging  from  the  envious  cover  of  a  cloud.  The 
action  was  unheeded  by  all  but  Remarkable,  who  observed 
to  Benjamin  : 

"  Dr.  Todd  is  a  comely  man  to  look  on,  and  despu't 
pretty.  How  well  he  seems  in  spectacles  !  I  declare,  they 
give  a  grand  look  to  a  body's  face.  I  have  quite  a  great 
mind  to  try  them  myself." 

The  speech  of  the  stranger  recalled  the  recollection  of 
Miss  Temple,  who  started,  as  if  from  deep  abstraction, 
and,  coloring  excessively,  she  motioned  to  a  young  woman 
who  served  in  the  capacity  of  maid,  and  retired  with  an 
air  of  womanly  reserve. 

The  field  was  now  left  to  the  physician  and  his  patient, 
while  the  different  personages  who  remained  gathered 
around  the  latter,  with  faces  expressing  the  various  de- 
grees of  interest  that  each  one  felt  in  his  condition.  Ma- 
jor Hartmann  alone  retained  his  seat,  where  he  continued 
to  throw  out  vast  quantities  of  smoke,  now  rolling  his  eyes 
up  to  the  ceiling,  as  if  musing  on  the  uncertainty  of  life, 
and  now  bending  them  on  the  wounded  man,  with  an  ex- 
pression that  bespoke  some  consciousness  of  his  situation. 

In  the  meantime  Elnathan,  to  whom  the  sight  of  a  gun- 
shot wound  was  a  perfect  novelty,  commenced  his  prepa- 
rations with  a  solemnity  and  care  that  were  worthy  of  the 
occasion.  An  old  shirt  was  procured  by  Benjamin,  and 
placed  in  the  hand  of  the  other,  who  tore  divers  bandages 
from  it,  with  an  exactitude  that  marked  both  his  own  skill 
and  the  importance  of  the  operation. 

When  this  preparatory  measure  was  taken,  Dr.  Todd  se- 
lected a  piece  of  the  shirt  with  great  care,  and  handing  it 
to  Mr.  Jones,  without  moving  a  muscle,  said  : 

"  Here,  Squire  Jones,  you  are  well  acquainted  with  these 
tilings  ;  will  you  please  to  scrape  the  lint  ?  It  should  be 
fine  and  soft,  you  know,  my  dear  sir  ;  and  be  cautious  that 
no  cotton  gets  in,  or  it  may  p'izen  the  wound.  The  shirt 
has  been  made  with  cotton  thread,  but  you  can  easily  pick 
it  out." 

Richard  assumed  the  office,  with  a  nod  at  his  cousin, 
that  said  quite  plainly — "You  see  this  fellow  can't  get 


70  THE  PIONEERS. 

along  without  me  ;"  and  began  to  scrape  the  linen  on  his 
knee  with  great  diligence. 

A  table  was  now  spread  with  phials,  boxes  of  salve,  and 
divers  surgical  instruments.  As  the  latter  appeared  in 
succession,  from  a  case  of  red  morocco,  their  owner  held 
up  each  implement  to  the  strong  light  of  the  chandelier, 
near  to  which  he  stood,  and  examined  it  with  the  nicest 
care.  A  red  silk  handkerchief  was  frequently  applied  to 
the  glittering  steel,  as  if  to  remove  from  the  polished  sur- 
faces the  least  impediment  which  might  exist  to  the  most 
delicate  operation.  After  the  rather  scantily  furnished 
pocket-case  which  contained  these  instruments  was  ex- 
hausted, the  physician  turned  to  his  saddle-bags,  and  pro- 
duced various  phials,  filled  with  liquids  of  the  most  radiant 
colors.  These  were  arranged  in  due  order,. by  the  side  of 
the  murderous  saws,  knives,  and  scissors,  when  Elnathan 
stretched  his  long  body  to  its  utmost  elevation,  placing  his 
hand  on  the  small  of  his  back,  as  if  for  support,  and  looked 
about  him  to  discover  what  effect  this  display  of  professional 
skill  was  likely  to  produce  on  the  spectators. 

"  Upon  my  wort,  toctor,"  observed  Major  Hartmann, 
with  a  roguish  roll  of  his  little  black  eyes,  but  with  every 
other  feature  of  his  face  in  a  state  of  perfect  rest,  "  put  you 
have  a  very  pretty  pocket-book  of  tools  tere,  and  your 
toctor-stuff  glitters  as  if  it  was  petter  for  ter  eyes  as  for 
ter  pelly." 

Elnathan  gave  a  hem — one  that  might  have  been  equal- 
ly taken  for  that  kind  of  noise  which  cowards  are  said  to 
make  in  order  to  awaken  their  dormant  courage,  or  for  a 
natural  effort  to  clear  the  throat  ;  if  for  the  latter  it  was 
successful  ;  for,  turning  his  face  to  the  veteran  German, 
he  said  : 

"  Very  true,  Major  Hartmann,  very  true,  sir ;  a  prudent 
mnn  will  always  Strive  to  make  his  remedies  agreeable  to 
the  eyes,  though  they  may  not  altogether  suit  the  stomach. 
It  is  no  small  part  of  our  art,  sir,"  and  he  now  spoke  with 
the  confidence  of  a  man  who  understood  his  subject,  "  to 
reconcile  the  patient  to  what  is  for  his  own  good,  though 
at  the  same  time  it  may  be  unpalatable." 

"  Sartain !  Dr.  Todd  is  right,"  said  Remarkable,  "  and  has 
Scripter  for  what  he  says.  The  Bible  tells  us  how  things 
may  be  sweet  to  the  mouth,  and  bitter  to  the  inwards." 

"  True,  true,"  interrupted  the  Judge,  a  little  impatiently  ; 
"  but  here  is  a  youth  who  needs  no  deception  to  lure  him 


THE  PIONEERS.  71 

to  his  own  benefit.  I  see,  by  his  eye,  that  he  fears  nothing 
more  than  delay." 

The  stranger  had,  without  assistance,  bared  his  own 
shoulder,  when  the  slight  perforation  produced  by  the 
passage  of  the  buck-shot  was  plainly  visible.  The  intense 
cold  of  the  evening  had  stopped  the  bleeding,  and  Dr. 
Todd,  casting  a  furtive  glance  at  the  wound,' thought  it  by 
no  means  so  formidable  an  affair  as  he  had  anticipated. 
Thus  encouraged,  he  approached  his  patient,  and  made 
some  indication  of  an  intention  to  trace  the  route  that  had 
been  taken  by  the  lead. 

Remarkable  often  found  occasions,  in  after  days,  to 
recount  the  minutiae  of  that  celebrated  operation  ;  and 
when  she  arrived  at  this  point  she  commonly  proceeded  as 
follows  :  "  And  then  the  doctor  tuck  out  of  the  pocket-book 
a  long  thing,  like  a  knitting-needle,  with  a  button  fastened 
to  the  end  on't ;  and  then  he  pushed  it  into  the  wownd  ; 
and  then  the  young  man  looked  awful ;  and  then  I  thought 
I  should  have  swaned  away — I  felt  in  sitch  a  dispu't  tak- 
ing ;  and  then  the  doctor  had  run  it  .right  through  his 
shoulder,  and  shoved  the  bullet  out  on  t'other  side  ;  and  so 
Dr.  Todd  cured  the  young  man — of  a  ball  that  the  Judge 
had  shot  into  him — for  all  the  world  as  easy  as  I  could  pick 
out  a  splinter  with  my  darning-needle." 

Such  were  the  impressions  of  Remarkable  on  the  sub- 
ject ;  and  such  doubtless  were  the  opinions  of  most  of 
those  who  felt  it  necessary  to  entertain  a  species  of  relig- 
ious veneration  for  the  skill  of  Elnathan  ;  but  such  was  far 
from  the  truth. 

When  the  physician  attempted  to  introduce  the  instru- 
ment described  by  Remarkable,  he  was  repulsed  by  the 
stranger,  writh  a  good  deal  of  decision,  and  some  little  con- 
tempt, in  his  manner. 

"  I  believe,  sir,"  he  said,  "that  a  probe  is  not  necessary; 
the  shot  has  missed  the  bone,  and  has  passed  directly 
through  the  arm  to  the  opposite  side,  where  it  remains 
but  skin  deep,  and  whence,  I  should  think,  it  might  be 
easily  extracted." 

"  The  gentleman  knows  best,"  said  Dr.  Todd,  laying  down 
the  probe  with  the  air  of  a  man  who  had  assumed  it  mere- 
ly in  compliance  with  forms  ;  and,  turning  to  Richard,  he 
fingered  the  lint  with  the  appearance  of  great  care  and 
foresight.  "  Admirably  well  scraped,  Squire  Jones  !  it  is 
about  the  best  lint  I  have  ever  seen.  I  want  your  assist- 


72  THE  PIONEERS. 

ance,  my  good  sir,  to  hold  the  patient's  arm  while  I  make 
an  incision  for  the  ball.  Now,  1  rather  guess  there  is  not 
another  gentleman  present  who  could  scrape  the  lint  so 
well  as  Squire  Jones  !  " 

"  Such  things  run  in  families,"  observed  Richard,  rising 
with  alacrity  to  render  the  desired  assistance.  "  My  father, 
and  my  grandfather  before  him,  were  both  celebrated  for 
their  knowledge  of  surgery  ;  they  were  not,  like  Marma- 
duke  here,  puffed  up  with  an  accidental  thing,  such  as 
the  time  when  he  drew  in  the  hip-joint  of  the  man 
who  was  thrown  from  his  horse ;  that  was  the  fall  before 
you  came  into  the  settlement,  doctor  ;  but  they  were  men 
who  were  taught  the  thing  regularly,  spending  half  their 
lives  in  learning  those  little  niceties  ;  though,  for  the  mat- 
ter of  that,  my  grandfather  was  a  college-bred  physician, 
and  the  best  in  the  colony,  too — that  is,  in  his  neighbor- 
hood." 

"  So  it  goes  with  the  world,  squire,"  cried  Benjamin, 
"if  so  be  that  a  man  wants  to  walk  the  quarter-deck  with 
credit,  d'ye  see,  and  with  regular  built  swabs  on  his 
shoulders,  he  mustn't  think  to  do  it  by  getting  in  at  the 
cabin  windows.  There  are  two  ways  to  get  into  a  top,  be- 
sides the  lubber-holes.  The  true  way  to  walk  aft  is  to  be- 
gin forrard  ;  tho'f  it  be  only  in  a  humble  way,  like  myself, 
d'ye  see,  which  was,  from  being  only  a  hander  of  top-gal- 
lant sails,  and  a  stower  of  the  flying-jib,  to  keeping  the  key 
of  the  captain's  locker." 

"Benjamin  speaks  quite  to  the  purpose,"  continued 
Richard..  "  I  dare  say  that  he  has  often  seen  shot  extract- 
ed in  the  different  ships  in  which  he  has  served  ;  suppose 
we  get  him  to  hold  the  basin ;  he  must  be  used  to  the 
sight  of  blood." 

"That  he  is,  squire,  that  he  is,"  interrupted  the  ci-de- 
vant steward  ;  "  many's  the  good  shot,  round,  double- 
headed,  and  grape,  that  I've  seen  the  doctors  at  work  on. 
For  the  matter  of  that,  I  was  in  a  boat,  alongside  the  ship, 
when  they  cut  out  the  twelve-pound  shot  from  the  thigh  of 
the  captain  of  the  Foodyrong,  one  of  Mounsheer  Ler 
Quaw's  countrymen  !  "* 

"  A  twelve-pound  ball  from  the  thigh  of  a  human  being  ?" 
exclaimed  Mr.  Grant,  with  great  simplicity,  dropping  the 

*  It  is  possible  that  the  reader  may  start  at  this  declaration  of  Benjamin, 
but  those  who  have  lived  in  the  new  settlements  of  America  are  too  much 
accustomed  to  hear  of  these  European  exploits  "to  doubt  it. 


THE  PIONEERS.  73 

sermon  he  was  again  reading,  and  raising  his  spectacles  to 
the  top  of  his  forehead. 

"  A  twelve-pounder!"  echoed  Benjamin,  staring  around 
him  with  much  confidence;  "a  twelve-pounder!  ay!  a 
twentjfc-four  pound  shot  can  easily  be  taken  from  a  man's 
body,  if  so  be  a  doctor  only  knows  how.  There's  Squire 
Jones,  now,  ask  him,  sir  ;  he  reads  all  the  books  ;  ask  him 
if  he  never  fell  in  with  a  page  that  keeps  the  reckoning  of 
such  things." 

"  Certainly,  more  important  operations  than  that  have 
been  performed,"  observed  Richard;  "the  encyclopaedia 
mentions  much  more  incredible  circumstances  than  that, 
as,  I  daresay,  you  know,  Dr.  Todd." 

"  Certainly,  there  are  incredible  tales  told  in  the  ency- 
clopaedias," returned  Elnathan,  "  though  I  cannot  say  that 
I  have  ever  seen,  myself,  anything  larger  than  a  musket 
ball  extracted." 

During  this  discourse  an  incision  had  been  made  through 
the  skin  of  the  young  hunter's  shoulder,  and  the  lead  was 
laid  bare.  Elnathan  took  a  pair  of  glittering  forceps,  and 
was  in  the  act  of  applying  them  to  the  wound,  when  a 
sudden  motion  of  the  patient  caused  the  shot  to  fall  out  of 
itself.  The  long  arm  and  broad  hand  of  the  operator  were 
now  of  singular  service  ;  for  the  latter  expanded  itself,  and 
caught  the  lead,  while  at  the  same  time  an  extremely  am- 
biguous motion  was  made  by  its  brother,  so  as  to  leave  it 
doubtful  to  the  spectators  how  great  was  its  agency  in  re- 
leasing the  shot.  Richard,  however,  put  the  matter  at  rest 
by  exclaiming  : 

"  Very  neatly  done,  doctor  !  I  have  never  seen  a  shot 
more  neatly  extracted  ;  and,  I  dare  say,  Benjamin  will  say 
the  same." 

"Why,  considering,"  returned  Benjamin,  "I  must  say 
that  it  was  ship-shape  and  Brister-fashion.  Now  all  that 
the  doctor  has  to  do,  is  to  clap  a  couple  of  plugs  in  the 
holes,  and  the  lad  will  float  in  any  gale  that  blows  in  these 
here  hills." 

"  I  thank  you,  sir,  for  what  you  have  done,"  said  the 
youth,  with  a  little  distance  ;  "  but  here  is  a  man  who  will 
take  me  under  his  care,  and  spare  you  all,  gentlemen,  any 
further  trouble  on  my  account." 

The  whole  group  turned  their  heads  in  surprise,  and  be- 
held, standing  at  one  of  the  distant  doors  of  the  hall,  the 
person  of  Indian  John. 


74  THE  PIONEERS, 


CHAPTER  VII. 

"  From  Susquehanna's  utmost  springs, 

Where  savage  tribes  pursue  their  game, 
His  blanket  tied  with  yellow  strings, 
The  shepherd  of  the  forest  came." — FRENEAU. 

BEFORE  the  Europeans,  or,  to  use  a  more  significant 
term,  the  Christians,  dispossessed  the  original  owners  of 
the  soil,  all  that  section  of  country  which  contains  the 
New  England  States,  and  those  of  the  Middle  which  lie 
east  of  the  mountains,  was  occupied  by  two  great  nations 
of  Indians,  from  whom  had  descended  numberless  tribes. 
But,  as  the  original  distinctions  between  these  nations  were 
marked  by  a  difference  in  language,  as  well  as  by  repeated 
and  bloody  wars,  they  were  never  known  to  amalgamate, 
until  after  the  power  and  inroads  of  the  whites  had  reduced 
some  of  the  tribes  to  a  state  of  dependence,  that  rendered 
not  only  their  political,  but,  considering  the  wants  and 
habits  of  a  savage,  their  animal  existence  also,  extremely 
precarious. 

These  two  great  divisions  consisted  on  the  one  side,  of 
the  Five,  or,  as  they  were  afterward  called,  the  Six  Na- 
tions, and  their  allies  ;  and,  on  the  other,  of  the  Lenni  Le- 
nape,  or  Delawares,  with  the  numerous  and  powerful  tribes 
that  owned  that  nation  as  their  grandfather.  The  former 
were  generally  called,  by  the  Anglo-Americans,  Iroquois, 
or  the  Six  Nations,  and  sometimes  Mingoes.  Their  appel- 
lation, among  their  rivals,  seems  generally  to  have  been 
the  Mengwe,  or  Maqua.  They  consisted  of  the  tribes,  or, 
as  their  allies  were  fond  of  asserting,  in  order  to  raise  their 
consequence,  of  the  several  nations  of  the  Mohawks,  the 
Oneidas,  the  Onondagas,  Cayugas,  and  Senecas ;  who 
ranked,  in  the  confederation,  in  the  order  in  which  they 
are  named.  The  Tuscaroras  were  admitted  to  this  union, 
near  a  century  after  its  formation,  and  thus  completed  the 
number  of  six. 

Of  the  Lenni  Lenape,  or  as  they  were  called  by  the 
whites,  from  the  circumstances  of  their  holding  their  great 
council-fire  on  the  banks  of  that  river,  the  Delaware  na- 
tion, the  principal  tribes,  besides  that  which  bore  the  gen- 
eric name,  were  the  Mahicanni,  Mohicans,  or  Mohegans, 
and  the  Nanticokes,  or  Nentigoes.  Of  these  the  latter 


THE^PIONEERS.  75 

held  the  country,  along  the  waters  of  the  Chesapeake  and 
the  sea-shore  ;  while  the  Mohegans  occupied  the  district 
between  the  Hudson  and  the  ocean,  including  much  of 
New  England.  Of  course  these  two  tribes  were  the  first 
who  were  dispossessed  of  their  lands  by  the  Europeans. 

The  wars  of  a  portion  of  the  latter  are  celebrated  among 
us,  as  the  wars  of  King  Philip  ;  but  the  peaceful  policy  of 
William  Penn,  or  Miquon,  as  he  was  termed  by  the  natives, 
effected  its  object  with  less  difficulty,  though  not  with  less 
certainty.  As  the  natives  gradually  disappeared  from  the 
country  of  the  Mohegans,  some  scattering  families  sought 
a  refuge  around  the  council-fire  of  the  mother  tribe,  or  the 
De  la  wares. 

This  people  had  been  induced  to  suffer  themselves  to 
be  called  women,  by  their  old  enemies,  the  Mingoes,  or 
Iroquois,  after  the  latter,  having  in  vain  tried  the  effects  of 
hostility,  had  recourse  to  artifice,  in  order  to  prevail  over 
their  rivals.  According  to  this  declaration,  the  Delawares 
were  to  cultivate  the  arts  of  peace,  and  to  intrust  their 
defence  entirely  to  the  men,  or  warlike  tribes  of  the  Six 
Nations. 

This  state  of  things  continued  until  the  war  of  the  Revo- 
lution, when  the  Lenni  Lenape  formally  asserted  their  inde- 
pendence, and  fearlessly  declared  that  they  were  again 
men.  But,  in  a  government  so  peculiarly  republican  as 
the  Indian  polity,  it  was  not  at  all  times  an  easy  task  to 
restrain  its  members  within  the  rules  of  the  nation.  Several 
fierce  and  renowned  warriors  of  the  Mohegans,  finding 
the  conflict  with  the  whites  to  be  in  vain,  sought  a  refuge 
with  their  grandfather,  and  brought  with  them  the  feelings 
and  principles  that  had  so  long  distinguished  them  in  their 
own  tribe.  These  chieftains  kept  alive,  in  some  measure, 
the  martial  spirit  of  the  Delawares  ;  and  would,  at  times, 
lead  small  parties  against  their  ancient  enemies,  or  such 
other  foes  as  incurred  their  resentment. 

Among  these  warriors  was  one  race  particularly  famous 
for  their  prowess,  and  for  those  qualities  that  render  an 
Indian  hero  celebrated.  But  war,  time,  disease,  and  want 
had  conspired  to  thin  their  number  ;  and  the  sole  represen- 
tative of  this  once  renowned  family  now  stood  in  the  hall 
of  Marmaduke  Temple.  He  had  for  a  long  time  been  an 
associate  of  the  white  men,  particularly  in  their  wars,  and 
having  been,  at  the  season  when  his  services  were  of  im* 
portance,  much  noticed  and  flattered,  he  had  turned  Chris- 


76  THE  PIONEERS. 

tian,  and  was  baptized  by  the  name  of  John.  He  had 
suffered  severely  in  his  family  during  the  recent  war,  hav- 
ing had  every  soul  to  whom  he  was  allied  cut  off  by  an  in- 
road of  the  enemy  ;  and  when  the  last  lingering  remnant 
of  his  nation  extinguished  their  fires,  among  the  hills  of 
the  Delaware,  he  alone  had  remained,  with  a  determina- 
tion of  laying  his  bones  in  that  country  where  his  fathers 
had  so  long  lived  and  governed. 

It  was  only,  however,  within  a  few  months,  that  he  had 
appeared  among  the  mountains  that  surrounded  Temple- 
ton.  To  the  hut  of  the  old  hunter  he  seemed  peculiarly 
welcome  ;  and,  as  the  habits  of  the  Leather-Stocking  were 
so  nearly  assimilated  to  those  of  the  savages,  the  conjunc- 
tion of  their  interests  excited  no  surprise.  They  resided 
in  the  same  cabin,  ate  of  the  same  food,  and  were  chiefly 
occupied  in  the  same  pursuits. 

We  have  already  mentioned  the  baptismal  name  of  this 
ancient  chief  ;  but  in  his  conversation  with  Natty,  held  in 
the  language  of  the  Delawares,  he  was  heard  uniformly  to 
call  himself  Chingachgook,  which,  interpreted,  means  the 
"  Great  Snake."  This  name  he  had  acquired  in  his  youth, 
by  his  skill  and  prowess  in  war  ;  but  when  his  brows  be- 
gan to  wrinkle  with  time,  and  he  stood  alone,  the  last  of 
his  family,  and  his  particular  tribe,  the  few  Delawares, 
who  yet  continued  about  the  head-waters  of  their  river, 
gave  him  the  mournful  appellation  of  Mohegan.  Perhaps 
there  was  something  of  deep  feeling  excited  in  the  bosom 
of  this  inhabitant  of  the  forest  by  the  sound  of  a  name  that 
recalled  the  idea  of  his  nation  in  ruins,  for  he  seldom  used 
it  himself — never,  indeed,  excepting  on  the  most  solemn 
occasions  ;  but  the  settlers  had  united,  according  to  the 
Christian  custom,  his  baptismal  with  his  national  name, 
and  to  them  he  was  generally  known  as  John  Mohegan,  or, 
more  familiarly,  as  Indian  John. 

From  his  long  association  with  the  white  men,  the  habits 
of  Mohegan  were  ja.  mixture  of  the  civilized  and  savage 
states,  though  there  was  certainly  a  strong  preponderance 
in  favor  of  the  latter.  In  common  with  all  his  people,  who 
dwelt  within  the  influence  of  the  Anglo-Americans,  he  had 
acquired  new  wants,  and  his  dress  was  a  mixture  of  his 
native  and  European  fashions.  Notwithstanding  the  in- 
tense cold  without,  his  head  was  uncovered ;  but  a  profu- 
sion of  long,  black,  coarse  hair  concealed  his  forehead,  his 
crown,  and  even  hung  about  his  cheeks,  so  as  to  convey 


THE  PIONEERS.  77 

the  idea,  to  one  who  knew  his  present  and  former  condi- 
tions, that  he  encouraged  its  abundance,  as  a  willing  veil, 
to  hide  the  shame  of  a  noble  soul,  mourning  for  glory 
once  known.  His  forehead,  when  it  could  be  seen,  ap- 
peared lofty,  broad,  and  noble.  His  nose  was  high,  and  of 
the  kind  called  Roman,  with  nostrils  that  expanded,  in  his 
seventieth  year,  with  the  freedom  that  had  distinguished 
them  in  youth.  His  mouth  was  large,  but  compressed, 
and  possessing  a  great  share  of  expression  and  character  •, 
and,  when  opened,  it  discovered  a  perfect  set  of  short, 
strong,  and  regular  teeth.  His  chin  was  full,  though  not 
prominent  ;  and  his  face  bore  the  infallible  mark  of  his 
people,  in  its  square,  high  cheek-bones.  The  eyes  were  not 
large,  but  their  black  orbs  glittered  in  the  rays  of  the  can- 
dles, as  he  gazed  intently  down  the  hall,  like  two  balls  of 
fire. 

The  instant  that  Mohegan  observed  himself  to  be  noticed 
by  the  group  around  the  young  stranger,  he  dropped  the 
blanket  which  covered  the  upper  part  of  his  frame,  from 
his  shoulders,  suffering  it  to  fall  over  his  leggins  of  un- 
tanned  deer-skin,  where  it  was  retained  by  a  belt  of  bark 
that  confined  it  to  his  waist. 

As  he  walked  slowly  down  the  long  hall,  the  dignified 
and  deliberate  tread  of  the  Indian  surprised  the  spectators. 
His  shoulders,  and  body  to  his  waist,  were  entirely  bare, 
with  the  exception  of  a  silver  medallion  of  Washington, 
that  was  suspended  from  his  neck  by  a  thong  of  buckskin, 
and  rested  on  his  high  chest,  amid  many  scars.  His  shoul- 
ders were  rather  broad  and  full ;  but  the  arms,  though 
straight  and  graceful,  wanted  the  muscular  appearance 
that  labor  gives  to  a  race  of  men.  The  medallion  was  the 
only  ornament  lie  wore,  although  enormous  slits  in  the  rim 
of  either  ear,  which  suffered  the  cartilages  to  fall  two  inches 
below  the  members,  had  evidently  been  used  for  the  pur- 
poses of  decoration  in  other  days.  In  his  hand  he  held  a 
small  basket  of  the  ash-wood  slips,  colored  in  divers  fan- 
tastical conceits,  with  red  and  black  paints  mingled  with 
the  white  of  the  wood. 

As  this  child  of  the  forest  approached  them,  the  whole 
party  stood  aside,  and  allowed  him  to  confront  the  object 
of  his  visit.  He  did  not  speak,  however,-  but  stood  fixing 
his  glowing  eyes  on  the  shoulder  of  the  young  hunter,  and 
then  turning  them  intently  on  the  countenance  of  the 
Judge.  The  latter  was  a  good  deal  astonished  at  this  un- 


78  THE  PIONEERS. 

usual   departure  from  the  ordinarily  subdued  and  quiet 
manner  of  the  Indian  ;  but  he  extended  his  hand,  and  said: 

"  Thou  art  welcome,  John.  This  youth  entertains  a  high 
opinion  of  thy  skill,  it  seems,  for  he  prefers  thee  to  dress 
his  wound  even  to  our  good  friend,  Dr.  Todd." 

Mohegan  now  spoke,  in  tolerable  English,  but  in  a  low, 
monotonous,  guttural  tone  : 

"  The  children  of  Miquon  do  not  love  the  sight  of  blood  ; 
and  yet  the  Young  Eagle  has  been  struck  by  the  hand  that 
should  do  no  evil  !  " 

"  Mohegan  !  old  John  !"  exclaimed  the  Judge,  "  think- 
est  thou  that  my  hand  has  ever  drawn  human  blood  will- 
ingly ?  For  shame  !  for  shame,  old  John  !  thy  religion 
should  have  taught  thee  better." 

"The  evil  spirit  sometimes  lives  in  the  best  heart,"  re- 
turned John,"  but  my  brother  speaks  the  truth  ;  his  hand 
has  never  taken  life,  when  awake  ;  no  !  not  even  when  the 
children  of  the  great  English  Father  were  making  the 
waters  red  with  the  blood  of  his  people." 

"  Surely,  John,"  said  Mr.  Grant,  with  much  earnestness, 
"you  remember  the  divine  command  of  our  Saviour, 
'Judge  not,  lest  ye  be  judged.'  What  motive  could  Judge 
Temple  have  for  injuring  a  youth  like  this  ;  one  to  whom 
he  is  unknown,  and  from  whom  he  can  receive  neither  in- 
jury nor  favor  ?" 

John  listened  respectfully  to  the  divine,  and,  when  he 
had  concluded,  he  stretched  out  his  arm,  and  said  with 
energy  : 

"  He  is  innocent — My  brother  has  not  done  this." 

Marmaduke  received  the  offered  hand  of  the  other  with 
a  smile,  that  showed,  however  he  might  be  astonished  at 
his  suspicion,  he  had  ceased  to  resent  it ;  while  the  wounded 
youth  stood,  gazing  from  his  red  friend  to  his  host,  with 
interest  powerfully  delineated  in  his  countenance.  No 
sooner  was  this  act  of  pacification  exchanged,  than  John 
proceeded  to  discharge  the  duty  on  which  he  had  come. 
Dr.  Todd  was  far  from  manifesting  any  displeasure  at  this 
invasion  of  his  rights,  but  made  way  for  the  new  leech, 
with  an  air  that  expressed  a  willingness  to  gratify  the 
humors  of  his  patient,  now  that  the  all-important  part  of 
the  business  was  so  successfully  performed,  and  nothing 
remained  to  be  done  but  what  any  child  might  effect.  In- 
deed, he  whispered  as  much  to  Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  whey 
be  said : 


THE  PIONEERS.  79 

"  It  was  fortunate  that  the  ball  was  extracted  before  this. 
Indian  came  in  ;  but  any  old  woman  can  dress  the  wound. 
The  young  man,  I  hear,  lives  with  John  and  Natty  Bumppo, 
and  it's  always  best  to  humor  a  patient,  when  it  can  be  done 
discreetly — I  say,  discreetly,  monsieur." 

"  Certainement,"  returned  the  Frenchman  ;  "  you  seem 
ver  happy,  Mister  Todd,  in  your  pratique.  I  tink  the 
elder  lady  might  ver  well  finish  vat  you  so  skeelfully  be- 
gin." 

But  Richard  had,  at  the  bottom,  a  great  deal  of  venera- 
tion for  the  knowledge  of  Mohegan,  especially  in  external 
wounds  ;  and,  retaining  all  his  desire  for  a  participation 
in  glory,  he  advanced  nigh  the  Indian,  and  said  : 

"  Sago,  sago,  Mohegan  !  sago,  my  good  fellow !  I  am 
glad  you  have  come  ;  give  me  a  regular  physician,  like 
Dr.  Todd  to  cut  into  flesh,  and  a  native  to  heal  the  wound. 
Do  you  remember,  John,  the  time  when  I  and  you  set  the 
bone  of  Natty  Bumppo's  little  finger,  after  he  broke  it  by 
falling  from  the  rock,  when  he  was  trying  to  get  the  par- 
tridge that  fell  on  the  cliffs.  I  never  could  tell  yet,  whether 
it  was  I  or  Natty  who  killed  that  bird  :  he  fired  first,  and 
the  bird  stooped,  and  then  it  was  rising  again  as  I  pulled 
trigger.  I  should  have  claimed  it  for  a  certainty,  but  Natty 
said  the  hole  was  too  big  for  shot,  and  he  fired  a  single 
ball  from  his  rifle  ;  but  the  piece  I  carried  then  didn't 
scatter,  and  I  have  known  it  to  bore  a  hole  through  a 
board,  when  I've  been  shooting  at  a  mark,  very  much  like 
rifle  bullets.  Shall  I  help  you,  John  ?  You  know  I  have 
a  knack  at  these  things." 

Mohegan  heard  this  disquisition  quite  patiently,  and, 
when-  Richard  concluded,  he  held  out  the  basket  which 
contained  his  specifics,  indicating,  by  a  gesture,  that  he 
might  hold  it.  Mr.  Jones  was  quite  satisfied  with  this 
commission  ;  and,  ever  after,  in  speaking  of  the  event,  was 
used  to  say,  that  "  Dr.  Todd  and  I  cut  out  the  bullet,  and 
I  and  Indian  John  dressed  the  wound." 

The  patient  was  much  more  deserving  of  that  epithet 
while  under  the  hands  of  Mohegan,  than  while  suffering 
under  the  practice  of  the  physician.  Indeed,  the  Indian 
gave  him  but  little  opportunity  for  the  exercise  of  a  for- 
bearing temper,  as  he  had  come  prepared  for  the  occasion. 
His  dressings  were  soon  applied,  and  consisted  only  of 
some  pounded  bark,  moistened  with  a  fluid  that  he  had 
expressed  from  some  of  the  simples  of  the  woods. 


So  THE  PIONEERS. 

Among  the  native  tribes  of  the  forest  there  were  always 
two  kinds  of  leeches  to  be  met  with.  The  one  placed  its 
whole  dependence  on  the  exercise  of  a  supernatural  power, 
and  was  held  in  greater  veneration  than  their  practice 
could  at  all  justify  ;  but  the  other  was  really  endowed 
with  great  skill  in  the  ordinary  complaints  of  the  human 
body,  and  was  more  particularly,  as  Natty  had  intimated, 
"  curous  in  cuts  and  bruises." 

While  John  and  Richard  were  placing  the  dressings  on 
the  wound,  Elnathan  was  acutely  eyeing  the  contents  of 
Mohegan's  basket,  which  Mr.  Jones,  in  his  physical  ardor, 
had  transferred  to  the  doctor,  in  order  to  hold  himself  one 
end  of  the  bandages.  Here  he  was  soon  enabled  to  detect 
sundry  fragments  of  wood  and  bark,  of  which  he,  quite 
coolly,  took  possession,  very  possibly  without  any  intention 
of  speaking  at  all  upon  the  subject  ;  but,  when  he  beheld 
the  full  blue  eye  of  Marmaduke  watching  his  movements, 
he  whispered  to  the  Judge  : 

"  It  is  not  to  be  denied,  Judge  Temple,  but  what  the 
savages  are  knowing  in  small  matters  of  physic.  They 
hand  these  things  down  in  their  traditions.  Now  in  can- 
cers and  hydrophoby  they  are  quite  ingenious.  I  will  just 
take  this  bark  home  and  analyze  it ;  for,  though  it  can't 
be  worth  sixpence  to  the  young  man's  shoulder,  it  may 
be  good  for  the  toothache,  or  rheumatism,  or  some  of  them 
complaints.  A  man  should  never  be  above  learning,  even 
if  it  be  from  an  Indian." 

It  was  fortunate  for  Dr.  Todd  that  his  principles  were 
so  liberal,  as,  coupled  with  his  practice,  they  were  the 
means  by  which  he  acquired  all  his  knowledge,  and  by 
which  he  was  gradually  qualifying  himself  for  the  duties 
of  his  profession.  The  process  to  which  he  subjected  the 
specific,  differed,  however,  greatly  from  the  ordinary  rules 
of  chemistry  ;  for  instead  of  separating,  he  afterward  united 
the  component  parts  of  Mohegan's  remedy,  and  was  thus 
able  to  discover  the  tree  whence  the  Indian  had  taken  it. 

Some  ten  years  after  this  event,  when  civilization  and  its 
refinements  had  crept,  or  rather  rushed,  into  the  settlements 
among  these  wild  hills,  an  affair  of  honor  occurred,  and 
Elnathan  was  seen  to  apply  a  salve  to  the  wound  received 
by  one  of  the  parties,  which  had  the  flavor  that  was  pecu« 
liar  to  the  tree,  or  root,  that  Mohegan*  had  used.  Ten 
years  later  still,  when  England  and  the  United  States  were 
again  engaged  in  war,  and  the  hordes  of  the  western  part? 


TffE  PIONEERS.  Si 

of  the  State  of  New  York  were  rushing  to  the  field,  Elna- 
than,  presuming  on  the  reputation  obtained  by  these  two 
operations,  followed  in  the  rear  of  a  brigade  of  militia  as 
its  surgeon  ! 

When  Mohegan  had  applied  the  bark,  he  freely  relin- 
quished to  Richard  the  needle  and  thread  that  were  used 
in  sewing  the  bandages,  for  these  were  implements  of 
which  the  native  but  little  understood  the  use  ;  and,  step- 
ping back  with  decent  gravity,  awaited  the  completion  of 
the  business  by  the  other. 

"  Reach  me  the  scissors,"  said  Mr.  Jones,  when  he  had 
finished,  and  finished  for  the  second  time,  after  tying  the 
linen  in  every  shape  and  form  that  it  could  be  placed  ; 
"  reach  me  the  scissors,  for  here  is  a  thread  that  must  be 
cut  off,  or  it  might  get  under  the  dressings,  and  inflame 
the  wound.  See,  John,  I  have  put  the  lint  I  scraped  be- 
tween two  layers  of  the  linen  ;  for  though  the  bark  is  cer- 
tainly best  for  the  flesh,  yet  the  lint  will  serve  to  keep  the 
cold  air  from  the  wound.  If  any  lint  will  do  it  good,  it  is 
this  lint  ;  I  scraped  it  myself,  and  I  will  not  turn  my  back 
at  scraping  lint  to  any  man  on  the  Patent.  I  ought  to 
know  how,  if  anybody  ought,  for  my  grandfather  was  a 
doctor,  and  my  father  had  a  natural  turn  that  way." 

"  Here,  squire,  is  the  scissors,"  said  Remarkable,  pro- 
ducing from  beneath  her  petticoat  of  green  moreen  a  pair 
of  dull-looking  shears;  "well,  upon  my  say-so,  you  have 
sewed  on  the  rags  as  well  as  a  woman." 

"  As  well  as  a  woman  !  "  echoed  Richard,  with  indig- 
nation ;  "  what  do  women  know  of  such  matters  ?  and  you 
are  proof  of  the  truth  of  what  I  say.  Who  ever  saw  such 
a  pair  of  shears  used  about  a  wound  ?  Dr.  Todd,  I  will 
thank  you  for  the  scissors  from  the  case.  Now,  young 
man,  I  think  you'll  do.  The  shot  has  been  neatly  taken 
out,  although,  perhaps,  seeing  I  had  a  hand  in  it,  I  ought 
not  to  say  so  ;  and  the  wound  is  admirably  dressed.  You 
will  soon  be  well  again  ;  though  the  jerk  you  gave  my 
leaders  must  have  a  tendency  to  inflame  the  shoulder,  yet 
you  will  do,  you  will  do.  You  were  rather  flurried,  I  sup- 
pose, and  not  used  to  horses  ;  but  I  forgive  the  accident 
for  the  motive  ;  no  doubt  you  had  the  best  of  motives  ; 
yes,  now  you  will  do." 

"  Then,  gentlemen,"  said  the  wounded  stranger,  rising, 
and  resuming  his  clothes,  "  it  will  be  unnecessary  for  me 
to  trespass  longer  on  your  time  and  patience.  There  re* 
6 


«2  THE  PIONEERS. 

mains  but  one  thing  more  to  be  settled,  and  that  is,  our 
respective  rights  to  the  deer,  Judge  Temple." 

"I  acknowledge  it  to  be  thine,"  said  Marmaduke  ;  "and 
much  more  deeply  am  I  indebted  to  thee  than  for  this  piece 
of  venison.  But  in  the  morning  thou  wilt  call  here,  and 
Xve  can  adjust  this,  as  well  as  more  important  matters. — 
Elizabeth  " — for  the  young  lady,  being  apprised  that  the 
wound  was  dressed,  had  re-entered  the  hall — "  thou  wilt 
order  a  repast  for  this  youth  before  we  proceed  to  the 
church  ;  and  Aggy  will  have  a  sleigh  prepared  to  convey 
him  to  his  friend." 

"But,  Sir,  I  cannot  go  without  a  part  of  the  deer,"  re- 
turned the  youth,  seemingly  struggling  with  his  own  feel- 
ings ;  "  I  have  already  told  you  that  I  needed  the  venison 
for  myself." 

"  Oh,  we  will  not  be  particular,"  exclaimed  Richard  ; 
"the  Judge  will  pay  you  in  the  morning  for  the  whole 
deer  ;  and,  Remarkable,  give  the  lad  all  the  animal  except- 
ing the  saddle  ;  so,  on  the  whole,  I  think  you  may  consider 
yourself  as  a  very  lucky  young  man — you  have  been  shot 
without  being  disabled  ;  have  had  the  wound  dressed  in 
the  best  possible  manner  here  in  the  woods,  as  well  as  it 
would  have  been  done  in  the  Philadelphia  hospital,  if  not 
better  ;  have  sold  your  deer  at  a  high  price,  and  yet  can 
keep  most  of  the  carcass,  with  the  skin  in  the  bargain. 
'Marky,  tell  Tom  to  give  him  the  skin  too,  and  in  the  morn- 
ing bring  the  skin  to  me  and  I  will  give  you  half  a  dollar 
for  it,  or  at  least  three-and-sixpence.  I  want  just  such  a 
skin  to  cover  the  pillion  that  I  am  making  for  Cousin 
Bess." 

"  I  thank  you,  sir,  for  your  liberality,  and,  I  trust,  am 
also  thankful  for  my  escape,"  returned  the  stranger  ;  "but 
you  reserve  the  very  part  of  the  animal  that  I  wished  for 
my  own  use.  I  must  have  the  saddle  myself." 

"  Must !  "  echoed  Richard  ;  "  must  is  harder  to  be  swal- 
lowed than  the  horns  of  the  buck." 

"Yes,  must,"  repeated  the  youth;  when,  turning  his 
head  proudly  around  him,  as  if  to  see  who  would  dare  to 
controvert  his  rights,  he  met  the  astonished  gaze  of  Eliza- 
beth, and  proceeded  more  mildly — "that  is,  if  a  man  is 
allowed  the  possession  of  that  which  his  hand  hath  killed, 
and  the  law  will  protect  him  in  the  enjoyment  of  his  own." 

"The  law  will  do  so,"  said  Judge  Temple,  with  an  air 
of  mortification  mingled  with  surprise.  "  Benjamin,  see 


THE  PIONEERS.  83 

that  the  whole  deer  is  placed  in  the  sleigh  ;  and  have  this 
youth  conveyed  to  the  hut  of  Leather-Stocking.  But, 
young  man  thou  hast  a  name,  and  I  shall  see  you  again, 
in  order  to  compensate  thee  for  the  wrong  I  have  clone 
thee?" 

"  I  am  called  Edwards,"  returned  the  hunter  ;  "  Oliver 
Edwards.  I  am  easily  to  be  seen,  sir,  for  I  live  nigh  by, 
arid  am  not  afraid  to  show  my  face,  having  never  injured 
any  man." 

"It  is  we  who  have  injured  you,  sir,"  said  Elizabeth; 
"  and  the  knowledge  that  you  decline  our  assistance  would 
give  my  father  great  pain.  He  would  gladly  see  you  in 
the  morning." 

The  young  hunter  gazed  at  the  fair  speaker  until  his 
earnest  look  brought  the  blood  to  her  temples  ;  when,  re- 
collecting himself,  he  bent  his  head,  dropping  his  eyes  to 
the  carpet,  and  replied  : 

"In  the  morning  then,  will  I  return,  and  see  Judge 
Temple  ;  and  I  will  accept  his  offer  of  the  sleigh  in  token 
of  amity." 

"Amity!"  repeated  Marmaduke  ;  "there  was  no  malice 
in  the  act  that  injured  thee,  young  man  ;  there  should  be 
none  in  the  feelings  which  it  may  engender." 

"  Forgive  our  trespasses  as  we  forgive  those  who  tres- 
pass against  us,"  observed  Mr.  Grant,  "is  the  language 
used  by  our  Divine  Master  himself,  and  it  should  be  the 
golden  rule  with  us,  his  humble  followers." 

The  stranger  stood  a  moment,  lost  in  thought,  and  then, 
glancing  his  dark  eyes  rather  wildly  around  the  hall,  he 
bowed  low  to  the  divine,  and  moved  from  the  apartment 
with  an  air  that  would  not  admit  of  detention. 

"  'Tis  strange  that  one  so  young  should  harbor  such  feel- 
ings of  resentment,"  said  Marmaduke,  when  the  door 
closed  behind  the  stranger  ;  "  but  while  the  pain  is  recent, 
and  the  sense  of  the  injury  so  fresh,  he  must  feel  more 
strongly  than  in  cooler  moments.  I  doubt  not  we  shali 
see  him  in  the  morning  mpre  tractable." 

Elizabeth,  to  whom  this  speech  was  addressed,  did  not 
reply,  but  moved  slowly  up  the  hall,  by  herself,  fixing  her 
eyes  on  the  little  figure  of  the  English  ingrain  carpet  that 
covered  the  floor  ;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  Richard  gave 
a  loud  crack  with  his  whip,  as  the  stranger  disappeared, 
and  cried  : 

"Well,  'duke,   you  are  your  own  master,  but  I  would 


84  THE  PIONEERS. 

have  tried  law  for  the  saddle  before  I  would  have  given  it 
to  the  fellow.  Do  you  not  own  the  mountains  as  well  as 
the  valleys  ?  are  not  the  woods  your  own  ?  what  right  has 
this  chap,  or  the  Leather-Stocking,  to  shoot  in  your  woods 
without  your  permission  ?  Now,  1  have  known  a  farmer  in 
Pennsylvania  order  a  sportsman  off  his  farm  with  as  little 
ceremony  as  I  would  order  Benjamin  to  put  a  log  in  the 
stove. — By -the  by,  Benjamin,  see  how  the  thermometer 
stands. — Now,  if  a  man  has  a  right  to  do  this  on  a  farm  of 
a  hundred  acres,  what  power  must  a  landlord  have  who 
owns  sixty  thousand — ay,  for  the  matter  of  that,  including 
the  late  purchases,  a  hundred  thousand  ?  There  is  Mohe- 
gan,  to  be  sure,  he  may  have  some  right,  being  a  native  ; 
but  it's  little  the  poor  fellow  can  do  now  with  his  rifle. 
How  is  this  managed  in  France,  Monsieur  Le  Quoi  ?  Do 
you  let  everybody  run  over  your  land  in  that  country  hel- 
ter-skelter, as  they  do  here,  "shooting  the  game,  so  that  a 
gentleman  has  but  little  or  no  chance  with  his  gun  ?" 

"  Bah  !  diable,  no,  Meester  Deeck,"  replied  the  French- 
man ;  "we  give,  in  France;  no  liberty  except  to  the  ladi." 

"Yes,  yes,  to  the  women,  I  know,"  said  Richard,  "that 
is  your  Salic  law.  I  read,  sir,  all  kinds  of  books  ;  of 
France,  as  well  as  England  ;  of  Greece,  as  well  as  Rome. 
But  if  I  were  in  'duke's  place,  I  would  stick  up  advertise- 
ments to-morrow  morning,  forbidding  all  persons  to  shoot, 
or  trespass  in  any  manner,  on  my  woods.  I  could  write 
such  an  advertisement  myself,  in  an  hour,  as  would  put  a 
stop  to  the  thing  at  once." 

"  Richart,"  said  Major  Hartmann,  very  coolly  knocking 
the  ashes  from  his  pipe  into  the  spitting-box  by  his  side, 
"  now  listen  ;  I  have  livet  seventy-five  years  on  ter  Mo- 
hawk, and  in  ter  woots.  You  had  better  mettle  as  mit  ter 
deyvel,  as  mit  ter  hunters.  Tey  live  mit  ter  gun,  and  a 
rifle  is  better  as  ter  law." 

"  A'nt  Marmaduke  a  judge  ?  "  said  Richard,  indignantly. 
"  Where  is  the  use  of  being  a  judge,  or  having  a  judge,  if 
there  is  no  law  ?  Damn  the  fellow  !  I  have  a  great  mind 
to  sue  him  in  the  morning  myself,  before  Squire  Doolittle, 
for  meddling  with  my  leaders.  I  am  not  afraid  of  his  rifle. 
I  can  shoot,  too.  I  have  hit  a  dollar  many  a  time  at  fifty 
rods." 

"  Thou  hast  missed  more  dollars  than  ever  thou  hast 
hit,  Dickon,"  exclaimed  the  cheerful  voice  of  the  Judge. 
"  But  we  will  now  take  our  evening's  repast,  which,  I  pen 


THE  PIONEERS.  85 

ceive  by  Rerharkable's  physiognomy,  is  ready.  Monsieur 
Le  Quoi,  Miss  Temple  has  a  hand  at  your  service.  Will 
you  lead 'the  way,  my  child  ?" 

"Ah  !  ma  chere  mam'selle,  comme  je  suis  enchante  !" 
said  the  Frenchman.  "  II  ne  manque  que  les  dames  de 
faire  un  paradis  de  Templeton." 

Mr.  Grant  and  Mohegan  continued  in  the  hall,  while  the 
remainder  of  the  party  withdrew  to  an  eating-parlor,  if  we 
except  Benjamin,  who  civilly  remained,  to  close  the  rear 
after  the  clergyman,  and  to  open  the  front  door  for  the 
exit  of  the  Indian. 

"John,"  said  the  divine,  when  the  figure  of  Judge  Tem- 
ple disappeared,  the  last  of  the  group,  "  to-morrow  is  the 
festival  of  the  nativity  of  our  blessed  Redeemer,  when  the 
church  has  appointed  prayers  and  thanksgivings  to  be  of- 
fered up  by  her  children,  and  when  all  are  invited  to  par- 
take of  the  mystical  elements.  As  you  have  taken  up  the 
cross,  and  become  a  follower  of  good  and  an  eschewer  of 
evil,  I  trust  I  shall  see  you  before  the  altar,  with  a  contrite 
heart  and  a  meek  spirit." 

"John  will  come,"  said  the  Indian,  betraying  no  sur- 
prise ;  though  he  did  not  understand  all  the  terms  used  by 
the  other. 

"Yes,"  continued  Mr.  Grant,  laying  his  hand  gently  on 
the  tawny  shoulder  of  the  aged  chief,  "  but  it  is  not  enough 
to  be  there  in  the  body  ;  you  must  come  in  the  spirit  and 
in  truth.  The  Redeemer  died  for  all,  for  the  poor  Indian 
as  well  as  for  the  white  man.  Heaven  knows  no  differ- 
ence in  color  ;  nor  must  earth  witness  a  separation  of  the 
church.  It  is  good  and  profitable,  John,  to  freshen  the 
understanding,  and  support  the  wavering,  by  the  observ- 
ance of  our  holy  festivals  ;  but  all  form  is  but  stench  in  the 
nostrils  of  the  Holy  One,  unless  it  be  accompanied  by  a 
devout  and  humble  spirit." 

The  Indian  stepped  back  a  little,  and,  raising  his  body 
to  its  utmost  powers  of  erection,  he  stretched  his  right  arm 
on  high,  and  dropped  his  forefinger  downward,  as  if  point- 
ing from  the  heavens,  then,  striking  his  other  hand  on  his 
naked  breast,  he  said,  with  energy  : 

"The  eye  of  the  Great  Spirit  can  see  from  the  clouds — 
the  bosom  of  Mohegan  is  bare  !  " 

"It  is  well,  John,  and  I  hope  you  will  receive  profit 
and  consolation  from  the  performance  of  this  duty.  The 
Great  Spirit  overlooks  none  of  his  children  ;  and  the  man 


86  THE  PIONEERS. 

of  the  woods  is  as  much  an  object  of  his  care  as  he  who 
dwells  in  a  palace.  I  wish  you  a  good-night,  and  pray 
God  to  bless  you." 

The  Indian  bent  his  head,  and  they  separated — the  one 
to  seek  his  hut,  and  the  other  to  join  his  party  at  the  sup- 
per-table. While  Benjamin  was  opening  the  door  for  the 
passage  of  the  chief,  he  cried,  in  a  tone  that  was  meant  to 
be  encouraging  : 

"  The  parson  says  the  word  that  is  true,  John.  If  so  be 
that  they  took  count  of  the  color  of  the  skin  in  heaven, 
why  they  might  refuse  to  muster  on  their  books  a  Christian- 
born,  like  myself,  just  for  the  matter  of  a  little  tan,  from 
cruising  in  warm  latitudes  ;  though,  for  the  matter  of  that, 
this  damned  norwester  is  enough  to  whiten  the  skin  of  a 
blackamore.  Let  the  reef  out  of  your  blanket,  man,  or 
your  red  hide  will  hardly  weather  the  night,  without  a 
touch  from  the  frost." 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

"  For  here  the  exile  met  from  every  clime, 
And  spoke,  in  friendship,  every  distant  tongue." — CAMPBELL. 

WE  have  made  our  readers  acquainted  with  some  variety 
in  character  and  nations,  in  introducing  the  most  important 
personages  of  this  legend  to  their  notice  ;  but,  in  order  to 
establish  the  fidelity  of  our  narrative,  we  shall  briefly  at- 
tempt to  explain  the  reason  why  we  have  been  obliged  to 
present  so  motley  a  dramatis  per -sonce. 

Europe,  at  the  period  of  our  tale,  was  in  the  commence- 
ment of  that  commotion  which  afterward  shook  her  po- 
litical institutions  to  the  centre.  Louis  the  Sixteenth  had 
been  beheaded,  and  a  nation  once  esteemed  the  most  re- 
fined among  the  civilized  people  of  the  world,  was  chang- 
ing its  character,  and  substituting  cruelty  for  mercy,  and 
subtlety  and  ferocity  for  magnanimity  and  courage.  Thou- 
sands of  Frenchmen  were  compelled  to  seek  protection  in 
distant  lands.  Among  the  crowds  who  fled  from  France 
and  her  islands,  to  the  United  States  of  America,  was  the 
gentleman  whom  we  have  already  mentioned  as  Monsieur 
Le  Quoi.  He  had  been  recommended  to  the  favor  of  Judge 
Temple  by  the  head  of  an  eminent  mercantile  house  in 


THE  PIONEERS.  87 

New  York,  with  whom  Marmaduke  was  in  habits  of  in- 
timacy, and  accustomed  to  exchange  good  offices.  At  his 
first  interview  with  the  Frenchman,  our  Judge  had  discov- 
ered him  to  be  a  man  of  breeding,  and  one  who  had  seen 
much  more  prosperous  days  in  his  own  country.  From 
certain  hints  that  had  escaped  him,  Monsieur  Le  Quoi  was 
suspected  of  having  been  a  West-India  planter,  great  num- 
bers of  whom  had  fled  from  St.  Domingo  and  the  other  isl- 
ands, and  were  now  living  in  the  Union,  in  a  state  of  com- 
parative poverty,  and  some  in  absolute  want.  The  latter 
was  not,  however,  the  lot  of  Monsieur  Le  Quoi.  He  had  but 
little,  he  acknowledged ;  but  that  little  was  enough  to  fur- 
nish, in  the  language  of  the  country,  an  assortment  for  a 
store. 

The  knowledge  of  Marmaduke  was  eminently  practical, 
and  there  was  no  part  of  a  settler's  life  with  which  he  was 
not  familiar.  Under  his  direction,  Monsieur  Le  Quoi 
made  some  purchases,  consisting  of  a  few  cloths  ;  some 
groceries,  with  a  good  deal  of  gunpowder  and  tobacco  ;  a 
quantity  of  iron  ware,  among  which,  was  a  large  proportion 
of  Barlow's  jack-knives,  potash-kettles,  and  spiders  ;  a  very 
formidable  collection  of  crockery,  of  the  coarsest  quality 
and  most  uncouth  forms  ;  together  with  every  other  com- 
mon article  that  the  art  of  man  has  devised  for  his  wants, 
not  forgetting  the  luxuries  of  looking-glasses  and  Jew's- 
harps.  With  this  collection  of  valuables,  Monsieur  Le 
Quoi  had  stepped  behind  a  counter,  and,  with  a  wonderful 
pliability  of  temperament,  had  dropped  into  his  assumed 
character  as  gracefully  as  he  had  ever  moved  in  any  other. 
The  gentleness  and  suavity  of  his  manners  rendered  him 
extremely  popular ;  besides  this,  the  women  soon  discov- 
ered that  he  had  taste.  His  calicoes  were  the  finest,  or,  in 
other  words,  the  most  showy,  of  any  that  were  brought 
into  the  country  ;  and  it  was  impossible  to  look  at  the 
prices  asked  for  his  goods  by  "so  pretty  a  spoken  man." 
Through  these  conjoint  means,  the  affairs  of  Monsieur  Le 
Quoi  were  again  in  a  prosperous  condition,  and  he  was 
looked  up  to  by  the  settlers  as  the  second  best  man  on  the 
"  Patent." 

The  term  "  Patent,"  which  we  have  already  used,  and 
for  which  we  may  have  further  occasion,  meant  the  dis- 
trict of  country  that  had  been  originally  granted  to  old 
Major  Effingham  by  the  "  king's  letters  patent,"  and  which 
had  now  become,  by  purchase  under  the  act  of  confiscation, 


88  THE  PIONEERS. 

the  property  of  Marmaduke  Temple.  It  was  a  term  in  com- 
mon use  throughout  the  neiv  parts  of  the  State  ;  and  was 
usually  annexed  to  the  landlord's  name,  as  4<  Temple's  or 
Effing-ham's  Patent." 

Major  Hartmann  was  a  descendant  of  a  man  who,  in 
company  with  a  number  of  his  countrymen  had  emigrated 
with  their  families,  from  the  banks  of  the  Rhine  to  those 
of  the  Mohawk.  This  migration  had  occurred  as  far  back 
as  the  reign  of  Queen  Anne  ;  and  their  descendants  were 
now  living,  in  great  peace  and  plenty,  on  the  fertile  bor- 
ders of  that  beautiful  stream. 

The  Germans,  or  "  High  Butchers,"  as  they  were  called, 
to  distinguish  them  from  the  original  or  Low  Dutch  colon- 
ists, were  a  very  peculiar  people.  They  possessed  all  the 
gravity  of  the  latter,  without  any  of  their  phlegm  ;  and  like 
them,  the  "  High  Dutchers  "  were  industrious,  honest,  and 
economical. 

Fritz,  or  Frederick  Hartmann,  was  an  epitome  of  all  the 
vices  and  virtues,  foibles  and  excellences,  of  his  race.  H« 
was  passionate,  though  silent,  obstinate,  and  a  good  deal 
suspicious  of  strangers  ;  of  immovable  courage,  inflexible 
honesty,  and  undeviating  in  his  friendships.  Indeed  there 
was  no  change  about  him,  unless  it  were  from  grave  to  gay. 
He  was  serious  by  months,  and  jolly  by  weeks.  He  had, 
early  in  their  acquaintance,  formed  an  attachment  for 
Marmaduke  Temple,  who  was  the  only  man  that  could  not 
speak  High  Dutch  that  ever  gained  his  entire  confidence. 
Four  times  in  each  year,  at  periods  equidistant,  he  left  his 
low  stone  dwelling  on  the  banks  of  the  Mohawk,  and  trav- 
elled thirty  miles,  through  the  hills,  to  the  door  of  the 
mansion-house  in  Templeton.  Here  he  generally  stayed  a 
week  ;  and  was  reputed  to  spend  much  of  that  time  in  riot- 
ous living,  greatly  countenanced  by  Mr.  Richard  Jones. 
But  every  one  loved  him,  even  to  Remarkable  Pettibone, 
to  whom  he  occasioned  some  additional  trouble,  he  was  so 
frank,  so  sincere,  and,  at  times,  so  mirthful.  He  was  now 
on  his  regular  Christmas  visit,  and  had  not  been  in  the  vil- 
lage an  hour  when  Richard  summoned  him  to  fill  a  seat  in 
the  sleigh,  to  meet  the  landlord  and  his  daughter. 

Before  explaining  the  character  and  situation  of  Mr. 
Grant,  it  will  be  necessary  to  recur  to  times  far  back  in  the 
brief  history  of  the  settlement. 

There  seems  to  be  a  tendency  in  human  nature  to  en- 
deavor  to  provide  for  the  wants  of  this  world,  before  our 


THE  PIONEERS.  8g 

attention  is  turned  to  the  business  of  the  other.  Religion 
was  a  quality  but  little  cultivated  amid  the  stumps  of  Tem- 
ple's Patent  for  the  first  few  years  of  its  settlement  ;  but, 
as  most  of  its  inhabitants  were  from  the  moral  States  of 
Connecticut  and  Massachusetts,  when  the  wants  of  nature 
were  satisfied,  they  began  seriously  to  turn  their  attention 
to  the  introduction  of  those  customs  and  observances  which 
had  been  the  principal  care  of  their  forefathers.  There 
was  certainly  a  great  variety  of  opinions  on  the  subject  of 
grace  and  free-will  among  the  tenantry  of  Marmaduke  ; 
and,  when  we  take  into  consideration  the  variety  of  the 
religious  instruction  which  they  received,  it  can  easily  be 
seen  that  it  could  not  well  be  otherwise. 

Soon  after  the  village  had  been  formally  laid  out  into  th$ 
streets  and  blocks  that  resembled  a  city,  a  meeting  of  its  in- 
habitants had  been  convened,  to  take  into  consideration 
the  propriety  of  establishing  an  academy.  This  measure 
originated  with  Richard,  who,  in  truth,  wras  much  disposed 
to  have  the  institution  designated  a  university,  or  at  least 
a  college.  Meeting  after  meeting  was  held,  for  this  pur- 
pose, year  after  year.  The  resolutions  of  these  assemblages 
appeared  in  the  most  conspicuous  columns  of  a  little  blue- 
looking  newspaper,  that  was  already  issued  weekly  from 
the  garret  of  a  dwelling-house  in  the  village,  and  which 
the  traveller  might  as  often  see  stuck  into  the  fissure  of  a 
stake,  erected  at  the  point  where  the  footpath  from  the 
log-cabin  of  some  settler  entered  the  highway,  as  a  post- 
office  for  an  individual.  Sometimes  the  stake  supported  a 
small  box,  and  a  whole  neighborhood  received  a  weekly 
supply  for  their  literary  wants,  at  this  point,  where  the 
man  who  "  rides  post  "  regularly  deposited  a  bundle  of  the 
precious  commodity.  To  these  flourishing  resolutions, 
which  briefly  recounted  the  general  utility  of  education, 
the  political  and  geographical  rights  of  the  village  of  Tem- 
pleton  to  a  participation  in  the  favors  of  the  regents  of  the 
university,  the  salubrity  of  the  air,  and  wholesomeness  of 
the  water,  together  with  the  cheapness  of  food  and  the  su- 
perior state  of  morals  in  the  neighborhood,  were  uniformly 
annexed,  in  large  Roman  capitals,  the  names  of  Marma- 
duke Temple  as  chairman,  and  Richard  Jones  as  secretary. 

Happily  for  the  success  of  this  undertaking,  the  regents 
were  not  accustomed  to  resist  these  appeals  to  their  gener- 
osity, whenever  there  was  the  smallest  prospect  of  a  dona- 
tion to  second  the  request.  Eventually  Judge  TemDle 


90  THE  PIONEERS. 

concluded  to  bestow  the  necessary  land,  and  to  erect  the 
required  edifice  at  his  own  expense.  The  skill  of  Mr.,  or, 
as  he  was  now  called,  from  the  circumstance  of  having  re^ 
ceived  the  commission  of  a  justice  of  the  peace,  Squire 
Doolittle,  was  again  put  in  requisition  ;  and  the  science  of 
Mr.  Jones  was  once  more  resorted  to. 

We  shall  not  recount  the  different  devices  of  the  archi- 
tects on  the  occasion  ;  nor  would  it  be  decorous  so  to  do, 
seeing  that  there  was  a  convocation  of  the  society  of  the 
ancient  and  honorable  fraternity  "  of  the  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons,"  at  the  head  of  whom  was  Richard,  in  the 
capacity  of  master,  doubtless  to  approve  or  reject  such  of 
the  plans  as,  in  their  wisdom,  they  deemed  to  be  for  the 
best.  The  knotty  point  was,  however,  soon  decided  ;  and, 
on  the  appointed  day,  the  brotherhood  marched  in  great 
state,  displaying  sundry  banners  and  mysterious  symbols, 
each  man  with  a  little  mimic  apron  before  him,  from  a 
most  cunningly  contrived  apartment  in  the  garret  of  the 
"  Bold  Dragoon,"  an  inn  kept  by  one  Captain  Hollister.  to 
the  site  of  the  intended  edifice.  Here  Richard  laid  the 
corner-stone,  with  suitable  gravity,  amidst  an  assemblage 
of  more  than  half  the  men,  and  all  the  women,  within  ten 
miles  of  Templeton. 

In  the  course  of  the  succeeding  week  there  was  another 
meeting  of  the  people,  not  omitting  swarms  of  the  gentler 
sex,  when  the  abilities  of  Hiram  at  the  "  square  rule," 
were  put  to  the  test  of  experiment.  The  frame  fitted  well  ; 
and  the  skeleton  of  the  fabric  was  reared  without  a  single 
accident,  if  we  except  a  few  falls  from  horses  while  the 
laborers  were  returning  home  in  the  evening.  From  this 
time  the  work  advanced  with  great  rapidity,  and  in  the 
course  of  the  season  the  labor  was  completed  ;  the  edifice 
standing,  in  all  its  beauty  and  proportions,  the  boast  of 
the  village,  the  study  of  young  aspirants  for  architectural 
fame,  and  the  admiration  of  every  settler  on  the  Patent. 

It  was  a  long,  narrow  house  of  wood,  painted  white,  and 
more  than  half  windows  ;  and,  when  the  observer  stood  at 
the  western  side  of  the  building,  the  edifice  offered  but  a 
small  obstacle  to  a  full  view  of  the  rising  sun.  It  was,  in 
truth,  but  a  very  comfortless  open  place,  through  which 
the  daylight  shone  with  natural  facility.  On  its  front  were 
divers  ornaments  in  wood,  designed  by  Richard,  and  exe- 
cuted by  rfiram  ;  but  a  window  in  the  centre  of  the  second 
story,  immediately  over  the  door  or  grand  entrance,  and 


THE  PIONEERS.  95 

the  "  steeple,"  were  the  pride  of  the  building.  The  former 
was,  we  believe,  of  the  composite  order  ;  for  it  included  in 
its  composition  a  multitude  of  ornaments,  and  a  great 
variety  of  proportions.  It  consisted  of  an  arched  compart- 
ment in  the  centre,  with  a  square  and  small  division  on 
either  side,  the  whole  encased  in  heavy  frames,  deeply  and 
laboriously  molded  in  pine-wood,  and  lighted  with  a  vast 
number  of  blurred  and  green-looking  glass  of  those  dimen- 
sions which  are  commonly  called  "eight  by  ten."  Blinds, 
that  were  intended  to  be  painted  green,  kept  the  window 
in  a  state  of  preservation  ;  and  probably  might  have  con- 
tributed to  the  effect  of  the  whole,  had  not  the  failure  in 
the  public  funds,  which  seems  always  to  be  incidental  to 
any  undertaking  of  this  kind,  left  them  in  the  sombre  coat 
of  lead-color  with  which  they  had  been  originally  clothed. 
The  "  steeple  "  was  a  little  cupola,  reared  on  the  very  cen- 
tre of  the  roof,  on  four  tall  pillars  of  pine,  that  were  fluted 
with  a  gouge,  and  loaded  with  mouldings.  On  the  tops  of 
the  columns  was  reared  a  dome  or  cupola,  resembling  in 
shape  an  inverted  tea-cup,  without  its  bottom,  from  the 
centre  of  which  projected  a  spire,  or  shaft  of  wood,  trans- 
fixed with  two  iron  rods,  that  bore  on  their  ends  the  let- 
ters N.  S.  E.  and  W.  in  the  same  metal.  The  whole  was 
surmounted  by  an  imitation  of  one  of  the  finny  tribe, 
carved  in  wood  by  the  hands  of  Richard,  and  painted  what 
he  called  a  "  scale-color."  This  animal  Mr.  Jones  affirmed 
to  be  an  admirable  resemblance  of  a  great  favorite  of  the 
epicures  in  that  country,  which  bore  the  title  of  "  lake- 
fish  ; "  and  doubtless  the  assertion  was  true  ;  for,  although 
intended  to  answer  the  purposes  of  a  weathercock,  the  fish 
was  observed  invariably  to.look,  with  a  longing  eye,  in  the 
direction  of  the  beautiful  sheet  of  water  that  lay  imbedded 
in  the  mountains  of  Templeton. 

For  a  short  time  after  the  charter  of  the  regents  was  re- 
ceived, the  trustees  of  this  institution  employed  a  graduate 
of  one  of  the  Eastern  colleges,  to  instruct  such  youth  as 
aspired  to  knowledge  within  the  walls  of  the  edifice  which 
we  have  described.  The  upper  part  of  the  building  was 
in  one  apartment,  and  was  intended  for  gala-days  and  ex- 
hibitions ;  and  the  lower  contained  two  rooms  that  were 
intended  for  the  great  divisions  of  education,  viz.,  the  Latin 
and  the  English  scholars.  The  former  were  never  very 
numerous  ;  though  the  sounds  of  "  nominative,  pennaa — 
genitive,  penny"  were  soon  heard  to  issue  from  the  windows 


92  THE  PIONEERS. 

of  the  room,  to  the  great  delight  and  manifest  edification 
of  the  passenger. 

Only  one  laborer  in  this  temple  of  Minerva,  however, 
was  known  to  get  so  far  as  to  attempt  a  translation  of  Vir- 
gil. He,  indeed,  appeared  at  the  annual  exhibition,  to  the 
prodigious  exultation  of  all  his  relatives,  a  farmer's  family 
in  the  vicinity,  and  repeated  the  whole  of  the  first  eclogue 
from  memory,  observing  the  intonations  of  the  dialogue 
with  much  judgment  and  effect.  The  sounds,  as  they  pro- 
ceeded from  his  mouth,  of 

"Titty-ree  too  patty-lee  ree-coo-bans  sub  teg-mi-nee  faa-gy 
Syl-ves-trem  ten-oo-i  moo-sam,  med-i-taa-ris,  aa-ve-ny," 

were  the  last  that  had  been  heard  in  that  building,  as  prob- 
ably they  were  the  first  that  had  ever  been  heard,  in  the 
same  language,  there  or  anywhere  else.  By  this  time  the 
trustees  discovered  that  they  had  anticipated  the  age,  and 
the  instructor,  or  principal,  was  superseded  by  a  master,  who 
went  on  to  teach  the  more  humble  lesson  of  "the  more 
haste  the  worst  speed,"  in  good  plain  English. 

From  this  time,  until  the  date  of  our  incidents,  the  acad- 
emy was  a  common  country  school,  and  the  great  room  of 
the  building  was  sometimes  used  as  a  court-room,  on  ex- 
traordinary trials  ;  sometimes  for  conferences  of"  the  relig- 
ious and  the  morally  disposed,  in  th~,  evening  ;  at  others 
for  a  ball  in  the  afternoon,  given  under  the  auspices  of 
Richard  ;  and  on  Sundays,  invariably,  as  a  place  of  public 
worship. 

When  an  itinerant  priest  of  the  persuasion  of  the  Metho- 
dists, Baptists,  Universalists,  or  of  the  more  numerous  sect 
of  the  Presbyterians,  was  accidentally  in  the  neighborhood, 
he  was-  ordinarily  invited  to  officiate,  and  was  commonly 
rewarded  for  his  services  by  a  collection  in  a  hat,  before 
the  congregation  separated.  When  no  such  regular  min- 
ister offered,  a  kind  of  colloquial  prayer  or  two  was  made 
by  some  of  the  more  gifted  members,  and  a  sermon  was 
usually  read,  from  Sterne,  by  Mr.  Richard  Jones. 

The  consequence  of  this  desultory  kind  of  priesthood 
was,  as  we  have  already  intimated,  a  great  diversity  of  opin- 
ion on  the  more  abstruse  points  of  faith.  Each  sect  had 
its  adherents,  though  neither  was  regularly  organized  and 
disciplined.  Of  the  religious  education  of  Marmaduke  we 
have  already  written,  nor  was  the  doubtful  character  of  his 


THE  PIONEERS.  93 

faith  completely  removed  by  his  marriage.  The  mother 
of  Elizabeth  was  an  Episcopalian,  as  indeed,  was  the  mother 
of  the  judge  himself;  and  the  good  taste  of  Marmaduke 
revolted  at  the  familiar  colloquies  which  the  leaders  of  the 
conferences  held  with  the  Deity,  in  their  nightly  meetings. 
In  form,  he  was  certainly  an  Episcopalian,  though  not  a 
sectary  of  that  denomination.  On  the  other  hand,  Rich- 
ard was  as  rigid  in  the  observance  of  the. canons  of  his 
church  as  he  was  inflexible  in  his  opinions.  Indeed,  he 
had  once  or  twice  essayed  to  introduce  the  Episcopal  form 
of  service,  on  the  Sundays  that  the  pulpit  was  vacant ;  but 
Richard  was  a  good  deal  addicted  to  carrying  things  to  an 
excess,  and  then  there  was  something  so  papal  in  his  air, 
that  the  greater  part  of  his  hearers  deserted  him  on  the 
second  Sabbath — on  the  third  his  only  auditor  was  Ben 
Pump,  who  had  all  the  obstinate  and  enlightened  orthodoxy 
of  a  high  churchman. 

Before  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  the  English  Church 
was  supported,  in  the  colonies,  with  much  interest,  by  some 
of  its  adherents  in  the  mother  country,  and  a  few  of  the 
congregations  were  very  amply  endowed.  But,  for  the 
season,  after  the  independence  of  the  States  was  established, 
this  sect  of  Christians  languished,  for  the  want  of  the  high- 
est order  of  its  priesthood.  Pious  and  suitable  divines 
were  at  length  selected,  and  sent  to  the  mother  country, 
to  receive  that  authority,  which,  it  is  understood,  can  only 
be  transmuted  directly  from  one  to  the  other,  and  thus 
obtain,  in  order  to  reserve,  that  unity  in  their  churches 
which  properly  belonged  to  a  people  of  the  same  nation. 
But  unexpected  difficulties  presented  themselves,  in  the 
oaths  with  which  the  policy  of  England  had  fettered 
their  establishment ;  ana  much  time  was  spent  before  a 
conscientious  sense  of  duty  would  permit  the  prelates  of 
Britain  to  delegate  the  authority  so  earnestly  sought. 
Time,  patience,  and  zeal,  however,  removed  every  impedi- 
ment, and  the  venerable  men,  who  had  been  set  apart  by 
the  American  churches,  at  length  returned  to  their  expect- 
ing dioceses,  endowed  with  the  most  elevated  functions  of 
their  earthly  church.  Priests  and  deacons  were  ordained, 
and  missionaries  provided,  to  keep  alive  the  expiring  flame 
of  devotion  in  such  members  as  were  deprived  of  the  or- 
dinary administrations,  by  dwelling  in  new  and  unorgan- 
ized districts. 

Of  this  number  was  Mr.  Grant.     He  had  been  sent  into 


94  THE  PIONEERS. 

the  county  of  which  Templeton  was  the  capital,  and  had 
been  kindly  invited  by  Marmaduke,  and  officiously  pressed 
by  Richard,  to  take  up  his  abode  in  the  village.  A  small 
and  humble  dwelling  was  prepared  for  his  family,  and  the 
divine  had  made  his  appearance  in  the  place  but  a  few 
days  previously  to  the  time  [of  his  introduction  to  the 
reader.  As  his  forms  were  entirely  new  to  most  of  the 
inhabitants,  and  a  clergyman  of  another  denomination  had 
previously  occupied  the  field,  by  engaging  the  academy, 
the  first  Sunday  after  his  arrival  was  allowed  to  pass  in 
silence  ;  but  now  that  his  rival  had  passed  on,  like  a  me- 
teor, filling  the  air  with  the  light  of  his  wisdom,  Richard 
was  empowered  to  give  notice  that  "  Public  worship,  after 
the  forms  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  would  be 
held  on  the  night  before  Christmas,  in  the  long  room  of 
the  academy  in  Templeton,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Grant." 

This  annunciation  excited  great  commotion  among  the 
different  sectaries.  Some  wondered  as  to  the  nature  of 
the  exhibition  ;  others  sneered  ;  but  a  far  greater  part, 
recollecting  the  essays  of  Richard  in  that  way,  and  mind- 
ful of  the  liberality,  or  rather  laxity,  of  Marmaduke's  no- 
tions on  the  subject  of  sectarianism,  thought  it  most  pru- 
dent to  be  silent. 

The  expected  evening  was,  however,  the  wonder  of  the 
hour ;  nor  was  the  curiosity  at  all  diminished  when  Richard 
and  Benjamin,  on  the  morning  of  the  eventful  day,  were 
seen  to  issue  from  the  woods  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 
village,  each  bearing  on  his  shoulders  a  large  bunch  of 
evergreens.  This  worthy  pair  was  observed  to  enter  the 
academy,  and  carefully  to  fasten  the  door,  after  which 
their  proceedings  remained  a  profound  secret  to  the  rest 
of  the  village  ;  Mr.  Jones,  before  he  commenced  this  mys- 
terious business,  having  informed  the  schoolmaster,  to  the 
great  delight  of  the  white-headed  flock  he  governed,  that 
there  could  be  no  school  that  day.  Marmaduke  was  ap- 
prised of  all  these  preparations  by  letter,  and  it  was  espe- 
tially  arranged  that  he  and  Elizabeth  should  arrive  in  sea* 
son  to  participate  in  the  solemnities  of  the  evening. 

After  this  digression,  we  shall  return  to  our  narrative. 


THE  PIONEERS. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


"Now  all  admire,  in  each  high-flavored  dish, 
The  capabilities  of  flesh — fowl — fish  ; 
In  order  due  each  guest  assumes  his  station, 
Throbs  high  his  breast  with  fond  anticipation, 
And  prelibates  the  joys  of  mastication." — HELIOGABAHAD. 

THE  apartment  to  which  Monsieur  Le  Quoi  handed 
Elizabeth  communicated  with  the  hall,  through  the  door 
that  led  under  the  urn  which  was  supposed  to  contain  the 
ashes  of  Dido.  The  room  was  spacious,  and  of  very  just 
proportions  ;  but,  in  its  ornaments  and  furniture,  the  same 
diversity  of  taste  and  imperfection  of  execution  were  to  be 
observed  as  existed  in  the  hall.  Of  furniture,  there  were 
a  dozen  green,  wooden  arm-chairs,  with  cushions  of  mo- 
reen, taken  from  the  same  piece  as  the  petticoat  of  Re- 
markable. The  tables  were  spread,  and  their  materials 
and  workmanship  could  not  be  seen  ;  but  they  were  heavy 
and  of  great  size.  An  enormous  mirror,  in  a  gilt  frame, 
hung  against  the  wall,  and  a  cheerful  fire,  of.  the  hard  or 
sugar  maple,  was  burning  on  the  hearth.  The  latter  was 
the  first  object  that  struck  the  attention  of  the  Judge,  who 
on  beholding  it,  exclaimed,  rather  angrily,  to  Richard  : 

"  How  often  have  I  forbidden  the  use  of  the  sugar  maple 
in  my  dwelling!  The  sight  of  that  sap,  as  it  exudes  with 
the  heat,  is  painful  to  me,  Richard.  Really,  it  behooves 
the  owner  of  woods  so-extensive  as  mine,  to  be  cautious 
what  example  he  sets  his  people,  who  are  already  felling 
the  forests,  as  if  no  end  could  be  found  to  their  treasures, 
nor  any  limits  to  their  extent.  If  we  go  on  in  this  way, 
twenty  years  hence  we  shall  want  fuel." 

"  Fuel  in  these  hills,  Cousin  'duke  !  "  exclaimed  Richard, 
in  derision — "  fuel !  why,  you  might  as  well  predict  that 
the  fish  will  die,  for  the  want  of  water  in  the  lake,  because 
I  intend,  when  the  frost  gets  out  of  the  ground,  to  lead  one 
or  two  of  the  springs,  through  logs,  into  the  village.  But 
you  are  always  a  little  wild  on  such  subjects,  Marmaduke." 

"Is  it  wildness,"  returned  the  Judge,  earnestly,  "to 
condemn  a  practice  which  devotes  these  jewels  of  the 
forest,  these  precious  gifts  of  nature,  these  mines  of  com- 
fort and  wealth,  to  the  common  uses  of  a  fireplace  ?  But 


96  THE  PIONEERS. 

I  must,  and  will,  the  instant  the  snow  is  off  the  earth,  send 
out  a  party  into  the  mountains  to  explore  for  coal." 

"  Coal !  "  echoed  Richard.  "  Who  the  devil  do  you  think 
will  dig  for  coal  when,  in  hunting  for  a  bushel,  he  would 
have  to  rip  up  more  roots  of  trees  than  would  keep  him  in 
fuel  for  a  twelvemonth  ?  Poh  !  poh  !  Marmaduke  ;  you 
should  leave  the  management  of  these  things  to  me,  who 
have  a  natural  turn  that  way.  It  was  I  that  ordered  this 
fire,  and  a  noble  one  it  is,  to  warm  the  blood  of  my  pretty 
Cousin  Bess." 

"The    motive,  then,  must   be  your   apology,    Dickon," 
said  the  Judge. — "  But,  gentlemen,  we  are  waiting. — EJiz? 
beth,  my  child,  take  the  head  of  the  table  ;  Richard,  I  sefe> 
means  to  spare  me  the  trouble  of  carving,  by  sitting  op- 
posite to  you." 

"To  be  sure  I  do,"  cried  Richard.  "Here  is  a  turkey 
to  carve  ;  and  I  flatter  myself  that  I  understand  carving  a 
turkey,  or,  for  that  matter,  a  goose,  as  well  as  any  man 
alive. — Mr.  Grant !  Where's  Mr.  Grant  ?  Will  you  please 
to  say  grace,  sir  ?  Everything  is  getting  cold.  Take  a 
thing  from  the  fire,  this  cold  weather,  and  it  will  freeze  in 
five  minutes.  Mr.  Grant,  we  want  you  to  say  grace.  '  For 
what  we  are  about  to  receive;  the  Lord  make  us  thankful.' 
Come,  sit  down,  sit  down.  Do  you  eat  wing  or  breast, 
Cousin  Bess  ?" 

But  Elizabeth  had  not  taken  her  seat,  nor  was  she  in 
readiness  to  receive  either  the  wing  or  breast.  Her  laugh- 
ing eyes  were  glancing  at  the  arrangements  of  the  table, 
and  the  quality  and  selection  of  the  food.  The  eyes  .of  the 
father  soon  met  the  wondering  looks  of  his  daughter,  and 
he  said,  with  a  smile  : 

"  You  perceive,  my  child,  how  much  we  are  indebted  to 
Remarkable  for  her  skill  in  housewifery.  She  has,  indeed, 
provided  a  noble  repast — such  as  well  might  stop  the  crav- 
ings of  hunger." 

"Law!"  said  Remarkable,  "I'm  glad  if  the  Jndge  is 
pleased;  but  I'm  notional  that  you'll  find  the  sa'ce  over- 
done. I  thought,  as  Elizabeth  was  coming  home,  that  a 
body  could  do  no  less  than  make  things  agreeable." 

"  My  daughter  has  now  grown  to  woman's  estate,  and 
is  from  this  moment  mistress  of  my  house,"  said  the  Judge  ; 
"  it  is  proper  that  all  who  live  with  me  address  her  as  Miss 
Temple." 

"  Do   tell  ! "    exclaimed   Remarkable,    a   little   aghast ; 


THE  PIONEERS.  97 

"well, Who  ever  heerd  of  a  young  woman's  being  called 
Miss  ?  If  the  Judge  had  a  wife  now,  I  shouldn't  think  of 
calling  her  anything  but  Miss  Temple  ;  but— 

"  Having  .nothing  but  a  daughter  you  will  observe  that 
style  to  her,  if  you  please,  in  future,"  interrupted  Marma- 
duke. 

As  the  Judge  looked  seriously  displeased,  and,  at  such 
moments,  carried  a  particularly  commanding  air  with  him, 
the  wary  housekeeper  made  no  reply  ;  and,  Mr.  Grant  en- 
tering the  room,  the  whole  party  were  soon  seated  at  the 
table.  As  the  arrangements  of  this  repast  were  much  in 
the  prevailing  taste  of  that  period  and  country,  we  shall 
endeavor  to  give  a  short  description  of  the  appearance  of 
the  banquet. 

The  table-linen  was  of  the  most  beautiful  damask,  and 
the  plates  and  dishes  of  real  china,  an  article  of  great 
luxury  at  this  early  period  of  American  commerce.  The 
knives  and  forks  were  of  exquisitely  polished  steel,  and 
were  set  in  unclouded  ivory.  So  much,  being  furnished 
by  the  wealth  of  Marmaduke,  was  not  only  comfortable, 
but  even  elegant.  The  contents  of  the  several  dishes,  arid 
their  positions,  however,  were  the  result  of  the  sole  judg- 
ment of  Remarkable.  Before  Elizabeth  was  placed  an 
enormous  roasted  turkey,  and  before  Richard,  one  boiled. 
In  the  centre  of  the  table  stood  a  pair  of  heavy  silver  cas- 
ters, surrounded  by  four  dishes  ;  one  a  fricassee,  that  con- 
sisted of  gray  squirrels  ;  another  of  fish  fried  ;  a  third  of 
fish  boiled  ;  the  last  was  a  venison  steak.  Between  these 
dishes  and  the  turkeys,  stood,  on  the  one  side,  a  prodigious 
chine  of  roasted  bear's  meat,  and  on  the  other  a  boiled 
leg  of  delicious  mutton.  Interspersed  among  this  load  of 
meats  was  every  species  of  vegetables  that  the  season  and 
country  afforded.  The  four  corners  were  garnished  with 
plates  of  cake.  On  one  was  piled  certain  curiously  twisted 
and  complicated  figures,  called  "nut-cakes."  On  another 
were  heaps  of  a.black-looking  substance,  which,  receiving 
its  hue  from  molasses,  was  properly  termed  " sweet-cake  ;" 
a  wonderful  favorite  in  the  coterie  of  Remarkable.  A  third 
was  filled,  to  use  the  language  of  the  housekeeper,  with 
4<  cards  of  gingerbread  ;"  and  the  last  held  a  "plum-cake," 
so  called  from  the  number  of  large  raisins  that  were  show* 
ing  their  black  heads  in  a  substance  of  suspiciously  simi- 
lar color.  At  each  corner  of  the  table  stood  saucers,  filled 
with  a  thick  fluid  of  somewhat  equivocal  color  and  con- 


98  THE  PIONEERS. 

sistence,  variegated  with  small  dark  lumps  of  a  substance 
that  resembled  nothing  but  itself,  which  Remarkable 
termed  her  "  sweetmeats."  At  the  side  of  each  plate, 
which  was  placed  bottom  upward,  with  its  knife  and  fork 
most  accurately  crossed  above  it,  stood  another,  of  smaller 
size,  containing  a  motley-looking  pie,  composed  of  tri- 
angular slices  of  apple,  mince,  pumpkin,  cranberry,  and 
custard,  so  arranged  as  to  form  an  entire  whole.  Decanters 
of  brandy,  rum,  gin,  and  wine,  with  sundry  pitchers  of 
cider,  beer,  and  one  hissing  vessel  of  "  flip,"  were  put 
wherever  an  opening  would  admit  of  their  introduction. 
Notwithstanding  the  size  of  the  tables,  there  waS*scarcely 
a  spot  where  the  rich  damask  could  be  seen,  so  crowded 
were  the  dishes,  with  their  associated  bottles,  plates,  and 
saucers.  The  object  seemed  to  be  profusion,  and  it  was 
obtained  entirely  at  the  expense  of  order  and  elegance. 

All  the  guests,  as  well  as  the  Judge  himself,  seemed  per- 
fectly familiar  with  this  description  of  fare,  for  each  one 
commenced  eating,  with  an  appetite  that  promised  to  do 
great  honor  to  Remarkable's  taste  and  skill.  What  ren- 
dered this  attention  to  the  repast  a  little  surprising,  was 
the  fact  that  both  the  German  and  Richard  had  been  sum- 
moned from  another  table  to  meet  the  Judge  ;  but  Major 
Hartmann  both  ate  and  drank  without  any  rule,  when  on 
his  excursions;  and  Mr.  Jones  invariably  made  it  a  point 
to  participate  in  the  business  in  hand,  let  it  be  what  it 
would.  The  host  seemed  to  think  some  apology  necessary 
for  the  warmth  he  had  betrayed  on  the  subject  of  the  fire- 
wood, and  when  the  party  were  comfortably  seated,  and 
engaged  with  their  knives  and  forks,  he  observed: 

"The  wastefulness  of  the  settlers,  with  the  noble  trees 
of  this  country,  is  shocking,  Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  as  doubt- 
less you  have  noticed.  I  have  seen  a  man  fell  a  pine, 
when  he  has  been  in  want  of  fencing-stuff,  and  roll  his 
first  cuts  into  the  gap,  where  he  left  it  to  rot,  though  its  top 
would  have  made  rails  enough  to  answer  Jiis  purpose,  and 
its  butt  would  have  sold  in  the  Philadelphia  market  for 
twenty  dollars." 

"And  how  the  devil — I  beg  your  pardon,  Mr.  Grant," 
interrupted  Richard  ;  "  but  how  is  the  poor  devil  to  get  his 
logs  to  the  Philadelphia  market,  pray  ?  put  them  in  his 
pocket,  ha  !  as  you  would  a  handful  of  chestnuts,  or  a 
bunch  of  chicker-berries  ?  I  should  like  to  see  you  walk- 
ing up  High  Street,  with  a  pine  log  in  'each  pocket ! — PohJ 


THE  PIONEERS.  93 

poh  \  cousin  'duke,  there  are  trees  enough  for  us  all,  and 
some  to  spare.  Why,  I  can  hardly  tell  which  way  the  wind 
blows,  when  I'm  out  in  the  clearings,  they  are  so  thick  and 
so  tall — I  couldn't  at  all,  if  it  wasn't  for  the  clouds,  and  I 
happen  to  know  all  the  points  of  the  compass,  as  it  were, 
by  heart." 

"  Ay  !  ay  !  squire,"  cried  Benjamin,  who  had  now  entered, 
and  taken  his  place  behind  the  Judge's  chair,  a  little  aside 
withal,  in  order  to  be  ready  for  any  observation  like  the 
present ;  "look  aloft,  sir,  look  aloft.  The  old  seamen  say, 
'that  the  devil  wouldn't  make  a  sailor,  unless  he  looked 
aloft.'  As  for  the  compass,  why,  there  is  no  such  thing  as 
steering  without  one.  I'm  sure  I  never  lose  sight  of  the 
main-top,  as  I  call  the  squire's  lookout  on  the  roof,  but  I 
set  my  compass,  d'ye  see,  and  take  the  bearings  and  dis- 
tance of  things,  in  order  to  work  out  my  course,  if  so  be 
that  it  should  cloud  up,  or  the  tops  of  the  trees  should 
shut  out  the  light  of  heaven.  The  steeple  of  St.  Paul's, 
now  that  we  have  got  it  on  end,  is  a  great  help  to  the  navi- 
gation of  the  woods,  for,  by  the  Lord  Harry,  as  I  was " 

"  It  is  well,  Benjamin,"  interrupted  Marmaduke,  ob- 
serving that  his  daughter  manifested  displeasure  at  the 
major-domo's  familiarity  ;  "but  you  forget  there  is  a  lady 
in  company,  and  the  women  love  to  do  most  of  the  talking 
themselves." 

"The  Judge  says  the  true  word,"  cried  Benjamin,  with 
one  of  his  discordant  laughs.  "  Now  here  is  Mistress  Re- 
markable Pettibones  ;  just  take  the  stopper  off  her  tongue, 
and  you'll  hear  a  gabbling  worse  like  than  if  you  should 
happen  to  fall  to  leeward  in  crossing  a  French  privateer, 
or  some  such  thing,  mayhap,  as  a  dozen  monkeys  stowed 
in  one  bag." 

It  were  impossible  to  say  how  perfect  an  illustration  of 
the  truth  of  Benjamin's  assertion  the  housekeeper  would 
have  furnished,  if  she  had  dared  ;  but  the  Judge  looked 
sternly  at  her,  and  unwilling  to  incur  his  resentment,  yet 
unable  to  contain  her  anger,  she  threw  herself  out  of  the 
room,  with  a  toss  of  the  body  that  nearly  separated  her 
frail  form  in  the  centre. 

"  Richard,"  said  Marmaduke,  observing  that  his  dis- 
pleasure had  produced  the  desired  effect,  "  can  you  inform 
me  of  anything  concerning  the  youth  whom  I  so  unfor- 
tunately wounded  ?  I  found  him  on  the  mountain  hunting 
in  company  with  the  Leather-Stocking,  as  if  they  were  of 


,100    •  THE  PIONEERS. 

the  same  family  ;  but  there  is  a  manifest  difference  in  theif 
manners.  The  youth  delivers  himself  in  chosen  language  ; 
such  as  is  seldom  heard  in  these  hills,  and  such  as  occa- 
sions great  surprise  to  me,  how  one  so  meanly  clad,  and 
following  so  lowly  a  pursuit,  could  attain.  Mohegan  also 
knew  him.  Doubtless  he  is  a  tenant  of  Natty's  hut.  Did 
you  remark  the  language  of  the  lad,  Monsieur  Le  Quoi  ?" 

"  Certainement,  Monsieur  Tempi','' returned  the  French- 
man, "  he  deed  conovairse  in  de  excellent  Anglaise." 

"The  boy  is  no  miracle,"  exclaimed  Richard;  "  I've 
known  children  that  were  sent  to  school  early,  talk  much 
better  before  they  were  twelve  years  old.  There  was  Zared 
Coe,  old  Nehemiah's  son,  who  first  settled  on  the  beaver- 
dam  meadow,  he  could  write  almost  as  good  a  hand  as 
myself,  when  he  was  fourteen  ;  though  it's  true,  I  helped 
to  teach  him  a  little  in  the  evenings.  But  this  shooting 
gentleman  ought  to  be  put  in  the  stocks,  if  he  ever  takes  a 
rein  in  his  hand  again.  He  is  the  most  awkward  fellow 
about  a  horse  I  ever  met  with.  I  dare  say  he  never  drove 
anything  but  oxen  in  his  life." 

"There,  I  think,  Dickon,  you  do  the  lad  injustice,"  said 
the  Judge  ;  "  he  uses  much  discretion  in  critical  moments. 
Dost  thou  not  think  so,  Bess  ?  " 

There  was  nothing  in  this  question  particularly  to  excite 
blushes,  but  Elizabeth  started  from  the  reverie  into  which 
she  had  fallen,  and  colored  to  her  forehead,  as  she  an- 
swered : 

"To  me,  dear  sir,  he  appeared  extremely  skilful,  and 
prompt,  and  courageous ;  but  perhaps  Cousin  Richard 
will  say  I  am  as  ignorant  as  the  gentleman  himself." 

"Gentleman!"  echoed  Richard;  "  do  you  call  such 
chaps  gentlemen,  at  school,  Elizabeth  ?  " 

"Every  man  is  a  gentleman  that  knows  how  to  treat  a 
woman  with  respect  and  consideration,"  returned  the  young 
lady,  promptly,  and  a  little  smartly. 

"  So  much  for  hesitating  to  appear  before  the  heiress  in 
fcis  shirt-sleeves,"  cried  Richard,  winking  at  Monsieur  Le 
Quoi,  who  returned  the  wink  with  one  eye,  while  he  rolled 
the  other,  with  an  expression  of  sympathy,  toward  the 
young  lady.  "  Well,  well,  to  me  he  seemed  anything  but 
a  gentleman.  I  must  say.  however,  for  the  lad,  that  he 
draws  a  good  trigger,  and  has  a  true  aim.  He's  good  at 
shooting  a  buck,  ha  !  Marmaduke  ?  " 

"  Richart,"    said    Major   Hartmann,   turning   his  grave 


THE  PIONEERS.  101 

countenance  toward  the  gentleman  -  he  addressed,  with 
much  earnestness,  "  ter  poy  is  goot.  He  savet  your  life, 
and  my  life,  and  ter  life  of  Tominie  Grant,  and  ter  life  of 
ter  Frenchman  ;  and,  Richard,  he  shall  never  vant  a  pet 
to  sleep  in  vile  olt  Fritz  Hartmann  has  a  shingle  to  cover 
his  het  mit." 

"  Well,  well,  as  you  please,  old  gentleman,"  returned  Mr, 
Jones,  endeavoring  to  look  indifferent  ;  "put  him  into 
your  own  stone  house,  if  you  will,  major.  I  dare  say  the 
lad  never  slept  in  anything  better  than  a  bark  shanty  in 
his  life,  unless  it  was  some  such  hut  as  the  cabin  of  Leather- 
Stocking.  I  prophesy  you  will  soon  spoil  him  ;  any  one 
could  see  how  proud  he  grew,  in  a  short  time,  just  because 
he  stood  by  my  horses'  heads,  while  I  turned  them  into  the 
highway." 

"  No,  no,  my  old  friend,"  cried  Marmaduke,  "  it  shall  be 
my  task  to  provide  in  some  manner  for  the  youth  ;  I  owe 
him  a  debt  of  my  own,  besides  the  service  he  has  done 
me,  through  my  friends.  And  yet  I  anticipate  some  little 
trouble,  in  inducing  him  to  accept  of  my  services.  He 
showed  a  marked  dislike,  I  thought,  Bess,  to  my  offer  of  a 
residence  within  these  walls  for  life." 

"  Really,  dear  sir,"  said  Elizabeth,  projecting  her  beauti- 
ful under-lip,  "  I  have  not  studied  the  gentleman  so  closely 
as  to  read  his  feelings  in  his  countenance.  I  thought  he 
might  very  naturally  feel  pain  from  his  wound,  and  there- 
fore pitied  him  ;  but " — and  as  she  spoke  she  glanced  her 
eye,  with  suppressed  curiosity,  toward  the  major-domo — • 
"  I  dare  say,  sir,  that  Benjamin  can  tell  you  something 
about  him.  He  cannot  have  been  in  the  village,  and  Ben- 
jamin not  have  seen  him  often." 

"  Ay  !  I  have  seen  the  boy  before,"  said  Benjamin,  who 
wanted  little  encouragement  to  speak  ;  "he  has  been  back* 
ing  and  filling  in  the  wake  of  Natty  Bumppo,  through  the 
mountains',  after  deer,  like  a  Dutch  long-boat  in  tow  of  an 
Albany  sloop.  He  carries  a  good  rifle,  too.  The  Leather* 
Stocking  said,  in  my  hearing,  before  Betty  Hollister's  bar* 
room  fire,  no  later  than  the  Tuesday  night,  that  the  youn- 
ker  was  certain  death  to  the  wild  beasts.  If  so  be  he  can 
kill  the  wild-cat  that  has  been  heard  moaning  on  the  lake- 
side since  the  hard  frosts  and  deep  snows  have  driven  the 
deer  to  herd,  he  will  be  doing  the  thing  that  is  good.  Your 
wild-cat  is  a  bad  shipmate,  and  should  be  made  to  cruise 
out  of  the  track  of  Christian  men." 


102  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  Lives  he  in  the  hut  of  Bumppo  ?"  asked  Marmaduke» 
with  some,  interest. 

"  Cheek  by  jowl  ;  the  Wednesday  will  be  three  weeks 
since  he  first  hove  in  sight,  in  company  with  Leather- 
Stocking.  They  had  captured  a  wolf  between  them,  and 
had  brought  in  his  scalp  for  the  bounty.  That  Mister 
Bump-ho  has  a  handy  turn  with  him  in  taking  off  a 
scalp  ;  and  there's  them,  in  this  here  village,  who  say  he 
larnt  the  trade  by  working  on  Christian  men.  If  so  be 
that  there  is  truth  in  the  saying,  and  I  commanded  along 
shore  here,  as  your  honor  does,  why,  d'ye  see,  I'd  bring 
him  to  the  gangway  for  it,  yet.  There's  a  very  pretty 
post  rigged  alongside  of  the  stocks  ;  and  for  the  matter  of 
a  cat,  I  can  fit  one  with  my  own  hands  ;  ay  !  and  use  it  too, 
for  the  want  of  a  better." 

"  You  are  not  to  credit  the  idle  tales  you  hear  of  Natty  ; 
he  has  a  kind  of  natural  right  to  gain  a  livelihood  in  these 
mountains  ;  and  if  the  idlers  in  the  village  take  it  into 
their  heads  to  annoy  him,  as  they  sometimes  do  reputed 
rogues,  they  shall  find  him  protected  by  the  strong  arm  of 
the  law." 

"  Ter  rifle  is  petter  as  ter  law,"  said  the  major,  sen- 
tentiously. 

"  That  for  his  rifle  !  "  exclaimed  Richard,  snapping  his 

fingers  ;  "  Ben  is  right,  and  I "  He  was  stopped  by 

the  sound  of  a  common  ship-bell,  that  had  been  elevated 
to  the  belfry  of  the  academy,  which  now  announced,  by 
its  incessant  ringing,  that  the  hour  for  the  appointed  ser- 
vice had  arrived.  "  *  For  this  and  every  other  instance  of  his 

goodness '  I  beg  pardon,  Mr.  Grant,  will  you  please  to 

return  thanks,  sir  ?  it  is  time  we  should  be  moving,  as  we 
are  the  only  Episcopalians  in  the  neighborhood  ;  that  is  I 
and  Benjamin,  and  Elizabeth  ;  for  I  count  half-breeds, 
like  Marmaduke,  as  bad  as  heretics." 

The  divine  arose,  and  performed  the  office,  meekly  and 
fervently,  and  the  whole  party  instantly  prepared  them- 
selves  for  the  church — or  rather  academy. 


THE  PIONEERS.  JOJ 


CHAPTER  X. 

"And  calling  sinful  man  to  pray, 
Loud,  long,  and  deep  the  bell  had  tolled." — SCOTT'S  BURGHER. 

WHILE  Richard  and  Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  attended  by  Ben- 
jamin, proceeded  to  the  academy  by  a  foot-path  through 
the  snow,  the  Judge,  ;iis  daughter,  the  divine,  and  the 
major,  took  a  more  circuitous  route  to  the  same  place  by 
the  streets  of  the  village.  , 

The  moon  had  risen,  and  its  orb  was  shedding  a  flood  of 
light  over. the  dark  outline  of  pines  which  crowned  the 
eastern  mountain.  In  many  climates  the  sky  would  have 
been  thought  clear  and  lucid  for  a  noontide.  The  stars 
twinkled  in  the  heavens,  like  the  last  glimmerings  of  dis- 
tant fire,  so  much  were  they  obscured  by  the  overwhelm- 
ing radiance  of  the  atmosphere  ;  the  rays  from  the  moon 
striking  upon  the  smooth,  white  surfaces  of  the  lake  and 
fields,  reflecting  upward  a  light  that  was  brightened  by 
the  spotless  color  of  the  immense  bodies  of  snow  which 
covered  the  earth. 

Elizabeth  employed  herself  with  reading  the  signs,  one 
of  which  appeared  over  almost  every  door  ;  while  the 
sleigh  moved  steadily,  and  at  an  easy  gait,  along  the  prin- 
cipal street.  Not  only  new  occupations,  but  names  that 
were  strangers  to  her  ears,  met  her  gaze  at  every  step 
they  proceeded.  The  very  houses  seemed  changed.  This 
had  been  altered  by  an  addition  ;  that  had  been  painted  ; 
another  had  been  erected  on  the  site  of  an  old  acquaint- 
ance, which  had  been  banished  from  the  earth  almost  as 
soon  as  it  made  its  appearance  on  it.  All  were,  however, 
pouring  forth  their  inmates,  who  uniformly  held  their 
way  toward  the  point  where  the  expected  exhibition  of 
the  conjoint  taste  of  Richard  and  Benjamin  was  to  be 
made. 

After  viewing  the  buildings,  which  really  appeared  to 
some  advantage  under  the  bright  but  mellow  light  of  the 
moon,  our  heroine  turned  her  eyes  to  a  scrutiny  of  the 
different  figures  that  they  passed,  in  search  of  any  form 
that  she  knew.  But  all  seemed  alike,  as  muffled  in  cloaks, 
hoods,  coats,  or  tippets,  they  glided  along  the  narrow  pas- 
sages in  the  snow  which  led  under  the  houses,  .half  hid  by 


K>4  THE  PIONEERS. 

the  bank  that  had  been  thrown  up  in  excavating  the  deep 
path  in  which  they  trod.  Once  or  twice  she  thought 
there  was  a  stature  or  a  gait  that  she  recollected  ;  but  the 
person  who  owned  it  instantly  disappeared  behind  one  of 
those  enormous  piles  of  wood  that  lay  before  most  of  the 
doors.  It  was  only  as  they  turned  from  the  main  street 
into  another  that  intersected  it  at  right  angles,  and  which 
led  directly  to  the  place  of  meeting,  that  she  recognized  a 
face  and  building  that  she  knew. 

The  house  stood  at  one  of  the  principal  corners  in  the 
village  ;  and,  by  its  well-trodden  door-way,  as  well  as  the 
sign  that  was  swinging  with  a  kind  of  doleful  sound  in  the 
biasts  that  occasionally  swept  down  the  lake,  was  clearly 
one  of  the  most  frequented  inns  in  the  place.  The  build- 
ing was  only  of  one  story  ;  but  the  dormer-windows  in  the 
roof,  the  paint,  the  window-shutters,  and  the  cheerful  fire 
that  shone  through  the  open  door,  gave  it  an  air  of  com- 
fort that  was  not  possessed  by  many  of  its  neighbors.  The 
sign  was  suspended  from  a  common  ale-house  post,  and 
represented  the  figure  of  a  horseman,  armed  with  sabre 
and  pistols,  and  surmounted  by  a  bear-skin  cap,  with  a 
fiery  animal  that  he  bestrode  "  rampant."  All  these  par- 
ticulars were  easily  to  be  seen  by  the  aid  of  the  moon,  to- 
gether with  a  row  of  somewhat  illegible  writing  in  black 
paint,  but  in  which  Elizabeth,  to  whom  the  whole  was  fa- 
miliar, read  with  facility,  "The  Bold  Dragoon." 

A  man  and  a  woman  were  issuing  from  the  door  of  this 
habitation  as  the  sleigh  was  passing.  The  former  moved 
with  a  stiff,  military  step,  that  was  a  good  deal  heightened 
by  a  limp  in  one  leg ;  but  the  woman  advanced  with  a 
measure  and  an  air  that  seemed  not  particularly  regardful 
of  what  she  might  encounter.  The  light  of  the  moon  fell 
directly  upon  her  full,  broad,  and  red  visage,  exhibiting  her 
masculine  countenance,  under  the  mockery  of  a  ruffled  cap 
that  was  intended  to  soften  the  lineaments  of  features  that 
were  by  no  means  squeamish.  A  small  bonnet  of  black 
silk,  and  of  a  slightly  formal  cut,  was  placed  on  the  back 
'of  her  head,  but  so  as  not  to  shade  her  visage  in  the  least. 
The  face,  as  it  encountered  the  rays  of  the  moon  from  the 
east,  seemed  not  unlike  sunrising  in  the  west.  She  ad- 
vanced with  masculine  strides  to  intercept  the  sleigh  ;  and 
the  Judge,  directing  the  namesake  of  the  Grecian  king, 
who  held  the  lines,  to  check  his  horses,  the  parties  were 
soon  near  to  each  other. 


THE  PIONEERS.  103 

"Good  luck  to  ye,  and  a  wilcome  home,  Jooge,"  cried 
the  female,  with  a  strong  Irish  accent :  "and  I'm  sure  it's 
to  me  that  ye'r  always  wiicome.  Sure  !  and  there's  Miss 
'Lizzy,  and  a  fine  young  woman  she  is  grown.  What  a 
heart-ache  would  she  be  giving  the  young  men  now,  if 
there  was  sich  a  thing  as  a  rigiment  in  the  town  !  Och  ! 
but  it's  idle  to  talk  of  sich  vanities,  while  the  bell  is  calling 
us  to  mateing  jist  as  we  shall  be  call'd  away  unexpictedly 
some  day,  when  we  are  the  laist  calkilating.  Good-even, 
major  ;  will  I  make  the  bowl  of  giri  toddy  the  night,  or  it's 
likely  ye'll  stay  at  the  big  house  the  Christmas  eve,  and 
the  very  night  of  ye'r  getting  there  ? " 

"I  am  glad  to  see  you,  Mrs.  Hollvster,"  returned  Eliza- 
beth. "  I  have  been  trying  to  find  a  face  that  I  knew  since 
we  left  the  door  of  the  mansion-house  ;  but  none  have  I 
seen  except  your  own.  Your  house,  too,  is  unaltered, 
while  all  the  others  are  so  changed  that,  but  for  the  places 
where  they  stand,  they  would  be  utter  strangers.  I  ob- 
serve you  also  keep  the  dear  sign  that  I  saw  Cousin  Richard 
paint ;  and  even  the  name  at  the  bottom,  about  which, 
you  may  remember,  you  had  the  disagreement." 

"  It  is  the  bould  dragoon,  ye  mane  ?  And  what  name 
would  he  have,  who  niver  was  known  by  any  other,  as  my 
husband  here,  the  captain,  can  testify.  He  was  a  pleasure 
to  wait  upon,  and  was  ever  the  foremost  in  need.  OchJ 
but  he  had  a  sudden  end  !  but  it's  to  be  hoped  that  he  was 
justified  by  the  cause.  And  it's  not  Parson  Grant  there 
who'll  gainsay  that  same.  Yes.  yes  ;  the  squire  would  paint, 
and  so  I  thought  that  we  might  have  his  faoe  up  there,  who 
had  so  often  shared  good  and  evil  wid  us.  The  eyes  is  no 
so  large  nor  so  fiery  as  the  captain's  own  ;  but  the  whiskers 
and  the  cap  is  as  two  paes.  Well,  well,  I'll  not  keep  ye  in 
the  cowld,  talking,  but  will  drop  in  the  morrow  after  sar- 
vice,  and  ask  ye  how  ye  do.  It's  our  bounden  duty  to  make 
the  most  of  this  present,  and  to  go  to  the  house  which  is 
open  to  all ;  so  God  bless  ye,  and  keep  ye  from  evil !  Will 
I  make  the  gin-twist  the  night,  or  no,  major  ? " 

To  this  question  the  German  replied,  very  sententiously, 
in  the  affirmative  ;  and,  after  a  few  words  had  passed  be- 
tween the  husband  of  the  fiery-faced  hostess  and  the  Judge, 
the  sleigh  moved  on.  It  soon  reached  the  door  of  the  acad- 
emy, where  the  party  alighted  and  entered  the  building. 

In  the  meantime,  Mr.  Jones  and  his  two  companions, 
having  a  much  shorter  distance  to  journey,  had  arrived  be- 


io6  THE  PIONEERS. 

fore  the  appointed  place  some  minutes  sooner  than  the 
party  in  the  sleigh.  Instead  of  hastening  into  the  room, 
in  order  to  enjoy  the  astonishment  of  £he  settlers,  Richard 
placed  a  hand  in  either  pocket  of  his  surtout,  and  affected 
to  walk  about,  in  front  of  the  academy,  like  one  to  whom 
the  ceremonies  were  familiar. 

The  villagers  proceeded  uniformly  into  the  building, 
with  a  decorum  and  gravity  that  nothing  could  move,  on 
such  occasions  ;  but  with  a  haste  that  was  probably  a  little 
heightened  by  curiosity.  Those  who  came  in  from  the  ad- 
jacent country  spent  some  little  time  in  placing  certain 
blue  and  white  blankets  over  their  horses  before  they  pro- 
ceeded to  indulge  their  desire  to  view  the  interior  of  the 
house.  Most  of  these  men  Richard  approached,  and  in- 
quired after  the  health  and  condition  of  their  families. 
The  readiness  with  which  he  mentioned  the  names  of  even 
the  children,  showed  how  very  familiarly  acquainted  he 
was  with  their  circumstances  ;  and  the  nature  of  the  an- 
swers he  received  proved  that  he  was  a  general  favorite. 

At  length  one  of  the  pedestrians  from  the  village  stopped 
also,  and  fixed  an  earnest  gaze  at  a  new  brick  edifice  that 
was  throwing  a  long  shadow  across  the  fields  of  snow,  as 
it  rose,  with  a  beautiful  gradation  of  light  and  shade,  under 
the  rays  of  a  full  moon.  In  front  of  the  academy  was  a 
vacant  piece  of  ground,  that  was  intended  for  a  public 
square.  On  the  side  opposite  to  Mr.  Jones,  the  new  and 
as  yet  unfinished  church  of  St.  Paul's  was  erected.  This 
edifice  had  been  reared  during  the  preceding  summer,  by 
the  aid  of  what  was  called  a  subscription  ;  though  all,  or 
nearly  all,  of  the  money  came  from  the  pockets  of  the  land- 
lord. It  had  been  built  under  a  strong  conviction  of  the 
necessity  of  a  more  seemly  place  of  worship  than  "  the  long 
room  of  the  academy,"  and  under  an  implied  agreement 
that,  after  its  completion,  the  question  should  be  fairly  put 
to  the  people,  that  they  might  decide  to  what  denomina- 
tion it  should  belong.  Of  course,  this  expectation  kept 
alive  a  strong  excitement  in  some  few  of  the  secretaries 
who  were  interested  in  its  decision  ;  though  but  little  was 
said  openly  on  the  subject.  Had  Judge  Temple  espoused 
the  cause  of  any  particular  sect,  the  question  would  have 
been  immediately  put  at  rest,  for  his  influence  was  too 
powerful  to  be  opposed  ;  but  he  declined  interference  in 
the  matter,  positively  refusing  to  lend  even  the  weight  of 
his  name  on  the  side  of  Richard,  who  had  secretly  given 


THE  PIONEERS.  107 

an  assurance  to  his  diocesan,  that  both  the  building  and 
the  congregation  would  cheerfully  come  within  the  pale 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church.  But,  when  the  neu- 
trality of  the  Judge  was  clearly  ascertained,  Mr.  Jones  dis- 
covered that  he  had  to  contend  with  a  stiff-necked  people. 
His  first  measure  was  to  go  among  them,  and  commence  a 
course  of  reasoning,  in  order  to  bring  them  round  to  his 
own  way  of  thinking.  They  all  heard  him  patiently,  and 
not  a  man  uttered  a  word  in  reply,  in  the  way  of  argument ; 
and  Richard  thought,  by  the  time  that  he  had  gone  through 
the  settlement,  the  point  was  conclusively  decided  in  his 
favor.  Willing  to  strike  while  the  iron  was  hot,  he  called 
a  meeting,  through  the  newspaper,  with  a  view  to  decide 
the  question  by  a  vote  at  once.  Not  a  soul  attended  ; 
and  one  of  the  most  anxious  afternoons  that  he  had  ever 
known  was  spent  by  Richard  in  a  vain  discussion  with  Mrs. 
Hollister,  who  strongly  contended  that  the  Methodist  (her 
own)  church  was  the  best  entitled  to,  and  most  deserving 
of,  the  possession  of  the  new  tabernacie.  Richard  now 
perceived  that  he  had  been  too  sanguine,  and  had  fallen 
into  the  error  of  all  those  who  ignorantly  deal  with  that  wary 
and  sagacious  people.  He  assumed  a  disguise  himself — 
that  is,  as  well  as  he  knew  how,  and  proceeded  step  by 
step  to  advance  Ms  purpose. 

The  task  of  erecting  the  building  had  been  unanimously 
transferred  to  Mr.  Jones  and  Hiram  Doolittle.  Together 
they  had  built  the  mansion-house,  the  academy,  and  the 
jail  ;  and  they  alone  knew  how  to  plan  and  rear  such  a 
structure  as  was  now  required.  Early  in  the  day,  these 
architects  had  made  an  equitable  division  of  their  duties. 
To  the  former  was  assigned  the  duty  of  making  all  the 
plans,  and  to  the  latter  the  labor  of  superintending  the  exe- 
cution. 

Availing  himself  of  this  advantage,  Richard  silently  de- 
termined that  the  windows  should  have  the  Roman  arch  : 
the  first  positive  step  in  effecting  his  wishes.  As  the  build- 
ing was  made  of  bricks,  he  was  enabled  to  conceal  his  de- 
sign, until  the  moment  arrived  for  placing  the  frames  ;  then, 
indeed,  it  became  necessary  to  act.  -He  communicated  his 
wishes  to  Hiram  with  great  caution  ;  and,  without  in  the 
least  adverting  to  the  spiritual  part  of  his  project,  1  s 
pressed  the  point  a  little  warmly  on  the  score  of  architec- 
tural beauty.  Hiram  heard  him  patiently,  and  without 
contradiction,  but  still  Richard  was  unable  to  discover  the 


lo8  THE  PIONEERS. 

views  of  his  coadjutor  on  this  interesting  subject.  As  the 
right  to  plan  was  duly  delegated  to  Mr.  Jones,  no  direct 
objection  was  made  in  words,  but  numberless  unexpected 
difficulties  arose  in  the  execution.  At  first  there  was  a 
scarcity  in  the  right  kind  of  material  necessary  to  form 
the  frames  ;  but  this  objection  was  instantly  silenced,  by 
Richard  running  his  pencil  through  two  feet  of  their  length 
at  one  stroke.  Then  the  expense  was  mentioned  ;  but 
Richard  reminded  Hiram  that  his  cousin  paid,  and  that  fu 
was  his  treasurer.  This  last  intimation  had  great  weight, 
and  after  a  silent  and  protracted,  but  fruitless  opposition, 
the  work  was  suffered  to  proceed  on  the  original  plan. 

The  next  difficulty  occurred  in  the  steeple,  which  Richard 
had  modelled  after  one  of  the  smaller  of  those  spires  that 
adorn  the  great  London  cathedral.  The  imitation  was 
somewhat  lame,  it  was  true,  the  proportions  being  but  in- 
differently observed  ;  but,  after  much  difficulty,  Mr.  Jones 
had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  an  object  reared  that  bore, 
in  its  outlines,  a  striking  resemblance  to  a  vinegar-cruet. 
There  was  less  opposition  to  this  model  than  to  the  win- 
dows ;  for  the  settlers  were  foncl  of  novelty,  and  their 
steeple  was  without  a  precedent. 

Here  the  labor  ceased  for  the  season,  and  the  difficult 
question  of  the  interior  remained  for  further  deliberation. 
Richard  well  knew  that,  when  he  came  to  propose  a  read- 
ing-desk and  a  chancel,  he  must  unmask  ;  for  these  were 
arrangements  known  to  no  church  in  the  country  but  his 
own.  Presuming,  however,  on  the  advantages  he  had 
already  obtained,  he  boldly  styled  the  building  St.  Paul's, 
and  Hiram  prudently  acquiesced  in  this  appellation,  making 
however,  the  slight  addition  calling  it  "  New  St.  Paul's," 
feeling  less  aversion  to  a  name  taken  from  the  English 
cathedral  than  from  the  saint. 

The  pedestrian  whom  we  have  already  mentioned,  as 
pausing  to  contemplate  this  edifice,  was  no  other  than  the 
gentleman  so  frequently  named  as  Mr.  or  Squire  Doolittle. 
He  was  of  a  tall,  gaunt  formation,  with  rather  sharp -fea- 
tures, and  a  face  that  expressed  formal  propriety,  mingled 
with  low  cunning.  Richard  approached  him,  followed  by 
Monsieur  Le  Quoi  and  the  major-domo. 

"  Good-evening,  squire,"  said -Richard,  bobbing  his  head, 
but  without  moving  his  hands  from  his  pockets. 

"Good-evening,  squire,  "echoed  Hiram,  turning  his  body, 
in  order  to  turn  his  head  also. 


THE  PIONEERS.  109 

"A  cold  night,  Mr.  Doolittle,  a  cold  night,  sir." 

"  Coolish  ;  a  tedious  spell  on't." 

"  What,  looking  at  our  church,  ha !  it  looks  well,  by 
moonlight  ;  how  the  tin  of  the  cupola  glistens  !  I  warrant 
you  the  dome  of  the  other  St.  Paul's  never  shines  so  in  the 
smoke  of  London." 

"  It  is  a  pretty  meeting-house  to  look  on,"  returned 
Hiram,  "and  I  believe  that  Monshure  Ler  Quow  and  Mr. 
Penguilliam  will  allow  it." 

"  Sairtainlee  !  "  exclaimed  the  complaisant  Frenchman, 
ft  it  ees  ver  fine." 

"  I  thought  the  monshure  would  say  so.  The  last  mo- 
lasses that  we  had  was  excellent  good.  It  isn't  likely  that 
you  have  any  more  of  it  on  hand  ? " 

"Ah!  oui;  ees,  sair,"  returned  Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  with 
a  slight  shrug  of  his  shoulder,  and  a  trifling  grimace,  "  dere 
•  is  more.     I  feel  ver  happi  dat  you  love  eet.     I  hope  dat 
Madame  Doleet'  is  in  good  'ealth." 

"Why,  so  as  to  be  stirring,"  said  Hiram.  "The  squire 
hasn't  finished  the  plans  for  the  inside  of  the  meeting- 
house yet  ?" 

"No — no — no,"  returned  Richard,  speaking  quickly,  but 
making  a  significant  pause  between  each  negative  — "  it 
requires  reflection.  There  is  a  great  deal  of  room  to  fill 
up,  and  I  am  afraid  we  shall  not  know  how  to  dispose  of 
it  to  advantage.  There  will  be  a  large  vacant  spot  around 
the  pulpit,  which  I  do  not  mean  to  place  against  the  wall, 
like  a  sentry-box  stuck  up  on  the  side  of  a  fort." 

"  It  is  ridable  to  put  the  deacon's  box  under  the  pulpit,'* 
said  Hiram  ;  and  then,  as  if  he  had  ventured  too  much,  he 
added,  "  but  there's  different  fashions  in  different  coun- 
tries." 

"That  there  is,"  cried  Benjamin;  "now,  in  running 
down  the  coast  of  Spain  and  Portingall,  you  may  see  a 
nunnery  stuck  out  on  every  head-land,  with  more  steeples 
and  outriggers,  such  as  dog-vanes  and  weathercocks,  than 
you'll  find  aboard  of  a  three-masted  schooner.  If  so  be  that 
a  well-built  .church  is  wanting,  old  England,  after  all,  is 
the  country  to  gato  after  your  models  and  fashion  pieces. 
As  to  Paul's,  thof  I've  never  seen  it,  being  that  it's  a  long 
way  up  town  from  Radcliffe  Highway  and  the  docks,  yet 
everybody  knows  that  it's  the  grandest  place  in  the  world. 
Now,  I've  no  opinion  but  this  here  church  over  there  is  as 
like  one  end  of  it  as  a  grampus  is  to  a  whale :  and  that's 


I  io  THE  PIONEERS. 

only  a  small  difference  in  bulk.  Mounsheer  Ler  Quaw, 
here,  has  been  in  foreign  parts ;  and  thof  that  is  not  the 
same  as  having  been  at  home,  yet  he  must  have  seen 
churches  in  France  too,  and  can  form  a  small  idee  of  what 
a  church  should  be  ;  now,  I  ask  the  mounsheer  to  his  face, 
if  it  is  not  a  clever  little  thing,  taking  it  by  and  large." 

"  It  ees  ver  apropos  of  saircumstance,"  said  the  French- 
man— "  ver  judgment — but  it  is  in  the  catholique  country 
dat  dey  build  de — vat  you  call — ah  a  ah-ha — la  grande 
cathedrale — de  big  church.  St.  Paul,  Londre,  is  ver  fine  ; 
ver  belle  ;  ver  grand — vat  you  call  beeg  ;  but,  Monsieur 
Ben,  pardonnez-moi,  it  is  no  vort  so  much  as  Notre- 
Dame." 

"  Ha  !  mounsheer,  what  is  that  you  say  ? "  cried  Benja- 
min ;  "  St.  Paul's  church  is  not  worth  so  much  as  a  damn  ! 
Mayhap  you  may  be  thinking  too  that  the  Royal  Billy  isn't 
so  good  a  ship  as  the  Billy  de  Paris  ;  but  she  would  have, 
licked  two  of  her  any  day,  and  in  all  weathers." 

As  Benjamin  had  assumed  a  very  threatening  kind  of 
attitude,  flourishing  an  arm  with  a  bunch  at  the  end  of  it 
that  was  half  as  big  as  Monsieur  Le  Quoi's  head,  Richard 
thought  it  time  to  interpose  his  authority. 

"  Hush,  Benjamin,  hush,"  he  said;  "you  both  misun- 
derstand Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  and  forget  yourself.  But  here 
comes  Mr.  Grant,  and  the  service  will  commence.  Let  us 
go  in." 

The  Frenchman,  who  received  Benjamin's  reply  with  a 
well-bred  good  humor,  that  would  not  admit  of  any  feeling 
but  pity  for  the  other's  ignorance,  bowed  in  acquiescence, 
and  followed  his  companion. 

Hiram  and  the  major-domo  brought  up  the  rear,  the  lat- 
ter grumbling  as  he  entered  the  building : 

"  If  so  be  that  the  king  of  France  had  so  much  as  a 
house  to  live  in,  that  would  lay  alongside  of  Paul's,  one 
might  put  up  with  their  jaw.  It's  more  than  flesh  and  blood 
can  bear,  to  hear  a  Frenchman  run  dowrn  an  English  church 
in  this  manner.  Why,  Squire  Doolittle,  I've  been  at  the 
whipping  of  two  of  them  in  one  day — clean  built,  snug 
frigates,  with  standing  royals,  and  them  new-fashioned 
cannonades  on  their  quarters — such  as,  if  they  had  only 
Englishmen  aboard  of  them,  would  have  fout  the  devil." 

With  this  ominous  word  in  his  mouth,  Benjamin  entered 
the  church. 


THE  PIONEERS.  Hi 

CHAPTER  XI. 

"And  fools  who  -same  to  scoff,  remained  to  pray." — GOLDSMITH. 

NOTWITHSTANDING  the  united  labors  of  Richard  and 
Benjamin,  the  "  long-room  "  was  but  an  extremely  inartU 
ficial  temple.  Benches,  made  in  the  coarsest  manner,  and 
entirely  with  a  view  to  usefulness,  were  arranged  in  rows, 
for  the  reception  of  the  congregation  ;  while  a  rough,  un- 
Dainted  box  was  placed  against  the  wall,  in  the~centre  of 
the  length  of  the  apartment,  as  an  apology  for  a  pulpit. 
Something  like  a  reading-desk  was  in  front  of  this  rostrum  ; 
and  a  small  mahogany  table  from  the  mansion-house, 
covered  with  a  spotless  damask  cloth,  stood  a  little  on  one 
side,  by  the  way  of  an  altar.  Branches  of  pines  and  hem- 
locks were  stuck  in  each  of  the  fissures  that  offered,  in 
the  unseasoned  and  hastily  completed  wood-work,  of  both 
the  building  and  its  furniture  ;  while  festoons  and  hiero- 
glyphics met  the  eye  in  vast  profusion  along  the  brown 
sides  of  the  scratch-coated  walls.  As  the  room  was  only 
lighted  by  some  ten  or  fifteen  miserable  candles,  and  the 
windows  were  without  shutters,  it  would  have  been  but  a 
dreary,  cheerless  place  for  the  solemnities  of  a  Christmas 
eve,  had  not  the  large  fire  that  was  crackling  at  each  end 
of  the  apartment,  given  an  air  of  cheerfulness  to  the  scene, 
by  throwing  an  occasional  glare  of  light  through  the  vistas 
of  bushes  and  faces. 

The  two  sexes  were  separated  by  an  area  in  the  centre 
of  the  room  immediately  before  the  pulpit  ;  and  a  few 
benches  lined  this  space,  that  were  occupied  by  the  princi- 
pal personages  of  the  village  and  its  vicinity.  This  dis- 
tinction was  rather  a  gratuitous  concession,  made  by  the 
poorer  and  less  polished  part  of  the  population  than  a 
right  claimed  by  the  favored  few.  One  bench  was  occu- 
pied by  the  party  of  Judge  Temple,  including  his  daughter ; 
and,  with  the  exception  of  Dr.  Todd,  no  one  else  appeared 
willing  to  incur  the  imputation  of  pride,  by  taking  a  seat 
in  what  was,  literally,  the  high  place  of  the  tabernacie. 

Richard  filled  the  chair  that  was  placed  behind  another 
table,  in  the  capacity  of  clerk  ;  while  Benjamin,  after  heap- 
ing sundry  logs  on  the  fire,  posted  himself  nigh  by,  in  re* 
serve  for  any  movement  that  might  require  co-operation. 


113  THE  PIONEERS. 

It  would  greatly  exceed  our  limits  to  attempt  a  descripi 
tion  of  the  congregation,  for  the  dresses  were  as  various 
as  the  individuals.  Some  one  article,  of  more  than  usual 
finery,  and  perhaps  the  relic  of  other  days,  was  to  be  seen 
about  most  of  the  females,  in  connection  with  the  coarse 
attire  of  the  woods.  This  wore  a  faded  silk,  that  had  gone 
through  at  least  three  generations,  over  coarse,  woollen 
black  stockings  ;  that,  a  shawl,  whose  dyes  were  as  numer- 
ous as  those  of  the  rainbow,  over  an  awkwardly  fitting 
gown  of  rough  brown  "woman's  wear."  In  short,  each 
one  exhibited  some  favorite  article,  and  all  appeared  in 
their  best,  both  men  and  women  ;  while  the  ground-works 
in  dress,  in  either  sex,  were  the  coarse  fabrics  manufactured 
within  their  own  dwellings.  One  man  appeared  in  the 
dress  of  a  volunteer  company  of  artillery,  of  which  he  had 
been  a  member  in  the  "  down  countries,"  precisely  for  no 
other  reason  than  because  it  was  the  best  suit  he  had. 
Several,  particularly  of  the  younger  men,  displayed  panta- 
loons of  blue,  edged  with  red  cloth  down  the  seams,  part 
of  the  equipments  of  the  "  Templeton  Light  Infantry," 
from  a  little  vanity  to  be  seen  in  "  boughten  clothes." 
There  was  also  one  man  in  a  "  rifle-  frock,"  with  its  fringes 
and  folds  of  spotless  white,  striking  a  chill  to  the  heart 
with  the  idea  of  its  coolness,  although  the  thick  coat  of 
brown  "home-made  "  that  was  concealed  beneath  preserved 
a  proper  degree  of  warmth. 

There  was  a  marked  uniformity  of  expression  in  counte- 
nance, especially  in  that  half  of  the  congregation  who  did 
not  enjoy  the  advantages  of  the  polish  of  the  village.  A 
sallow  skin,  that  indicated  nothing  but  exposure,  was  com- 
mon to  all,  as  was  an  air  of  great  decency  and  attention, 
mingled,  generally,  with  an  expression  of  shrewdness,  and 
in  the  present  instance,  of  active  curiosity.  Now  and  then 
a  face  and  dress  were  to  be  seen  among  the  congregation, 
that  differed  entirely  from  this  description.  If  pock- 
marked and  florid,  with  gaitered  legs,  and  a  coat  that 
snugly  fitted  the  person  of  the  wearer,  it  was  surely  an 
English  emigrant,  who  had  bent  his  steps  to  this  retired 
quarter  of  the  globe.  If  hard-featured,  and  without  color, 
with  high  cheek  bones,  it  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  in  simi» 
lar  circumstances. 

The  short,  black-eyed  man,  with  a  cast  of  the  swarthy 
Spaniard  in  his  face,  who  rose  repeatedly  to  make  room 
for  the  belles  of  the  village  as  they  entered,  was  a  son  of 


THE  PIONEERS.  lit 

Erin,  who  had  lately  left  off  his  pack,  and  become  a  sta- 
tionary trader  in  Templeton.  In  short,  half  the  nations  in 
the  north  of  Europe  had  their  representatives  in  this  as- 
sembly, though  all  had  closely  assimilated  themselves  to 
the  Americans  in  dress  and  appearance,  except  the  Eng- 
lishman. He,  indeed,  not  only  adhered  to  his  native  cus- 
toms in  attire  and  living,  but  usually  drove  his  plough, 
among  the  stumps,  in  the  same  manner  as  he  had  before 
done  on  the  plains  of  Norfolk,  until  dear-bought  experi- 
ence taught  him  the  useful  lesson,  that  a  sagacious  people 
knew  what  was  suited  to  their  circumstances  better  than  a 
casual  observer  ;  or  a  sojourner,  who  wras,  perhaps,  too 
much  prejudiced  to  compare,  and,  peradventure,  too  con- 
ceited to  learn. 

Elizabeth  soon  discovered  that  she  divided  the  attention 
of  the  congregation  with  Mr.  Grant.  Timidity,  therefore, 
confined  her  observation  of  the  appearances '  which  we 
have  described  to  stolen  glances  ;  but,  as  the  stamping  of 
feet  was  now  becoming  less  frequent,  aed  even  the  cough- 
ing, and  other  little  preliminaries  of  a  congregation  set- 
tling themselves  down  into  reverential  attention,  were  ceas- 
ing, she  felt  emboldened  to  look  around  her.  Gradually 
all  noises  diminished,  until  the  suppressed  cough  denoted 
that  it  was  necessary  to  avoid  singularity,  and  the  most 
profound  stillness  pervaded  the  apartment.  The  snapping 
of  the  fires,  as  they  threw  a  powerful  heat  into  the  room, 
was  alone  heard,  and  each  face,  and  every  eye  were  turned 
on  the  divine. 

At  this  moment,  a  heavy  stamping  of  feet  was  heard  in 
the  passage  below,  as  if  a  new-comer  was  releasing  his 
limbs  from  the  snow  that  was  necessarily  clinging  to  the 
legs  of  a  pedestrian.  It  was  succeeded  by  no  audible 
tread  ;  but  directly  Mohegan,  followed  by  the  Leather- 
Stocking  and  the  young  hunter,  made  his  appearance. 
Their  footsteps  would  not  have  been  heard,  as  they  trod 
the  apartment  in  their  moccasins,  but  for  the  silence 
which  prevailed. 

The  Indian  moved  with  great  gravity  across  the  floor, 
and,  observing  a  vacant  seat  next  to  the  Judge,  he  took 
it,  in  a  manner  that  manifested  his  sense  of  his  own  dig- 
nity. Here,  drawing  his  blanket  closely  around  him,  so 
as  partly  to  conceal  his  countenance,  he  remained,  dur- 
ing the  service,  immovable,  but  deeply  attentive.  Natty 
passed  the  place  that  was  so  freely  taken  by  his  red 
8 


ii4  THE  PIONEERS. 

companion,  and  seated  himself  on  one  end  of  a  log  that 
was  lying  near  the  fire,  where  he  continued,  with  his  rifle 
standing  between  his  legs,  absorbed  in  reflections,  seem- 
ingly of  no  very  pleasing  nature.  The  youth  found  a  seat 
among  the  congregation,  and  another  silence  prevailed. 

Mr.  Grant  now  arose  and  commenced  his  service  with 
the  sublime  declaration  of  the  Hebrew  prophet:  "The 
Lord  is  in  His  holy  temple  ;  let  all  the  earth  keep  silence 
before  Him."  The  example  of  Mr.  Jones  was  unneces- 
sary to  teach  the  congregation  to  rise  ;  the  solemnity  ol 
the  divine  effected  '  this  as  by  magic.  After  a  short 
pause,  Mr.  Grant  proceeded  with  the  solemn  and  winning 
exhortation  of  his  service.  Nothing  was  heard  but  the 
deep  though  affectionate,  tones  of  the  reader,  as  he  went 
slowly  through  this  exordium  ;  until,  something  unfortu* 
nately  striking  the  mind  of  Richard  as  incomplete,  he  left 
his  place  and  walked  on  tiptoe  from  the  room. 

When  the  clergyman  bent  his  knees  in  prayer  and  con- 
fession, the  congregation  so  far  imitated  his  example  as  to 
resume  their  seats  ;  whence  no  succeeding  effort  of  the  di- 
vine, during  the  evening,  was  able  to  remove  them  in  a 
body.  Some  rose  at  times  ;  but  by  far  the  larger  part 
continued  unbending  ;  observant,  it  is  true,  but  it  was  the 
kind  of  observation  that  regarded  the  ceremony  as  a  spec- 
tacle rather  than  a  worship  in  which  they  were  to  partici- 
pate. Thus  deserted  by  his  clerk,  Mr.  Grant  continued  to 
read  ;  but  no  response  was  audible.  The  short  and  sol- 
emn pause  that  succeeded  each  petition  was  made  ;  still 
no  voice  repeated  the  eloquent  language  of  the  prayer. 

The  lips  of  Elizabeth  moved,  but  they  moved  in  vain  ; 
and,  accustomed  as  she  was  to  the  service  of  the  churches 
of  the  metropolis,  she  was  beginning  to  feel  the  awkward- 
ness of  the  circumstance  most  painfully,  when  a  soft,  low 
female  voice  repeated  after  the  priest,  *'  We  have  left  un- 
done those  things  which  we  ought  to  have  done."  Startled 
at  finding  one  of  her  own  sex  in  that  place  who  could  rise 
superior  to  natural  timidity,  Miss  Temple  turned  her  eyes 
in  the  direction  of  the  penitent.  She  observed  a  young 
female  on  her  knees,  but  a  short  distance  from  her,  with 
her  meek  face  humbly  bent  over  her  book. 

The  appearance  of  this  stranger,  for  such  she  was,  en- 
tirely, to  Elizabeth,  was  light  and  fragile.  Her  dress  was 
neat  and  becoming ;  and  her  countenance,  though  pale  and 
slightly  agitated,  excited  deep  interest  by  its  sweet  and 


THE  PIONEERS.  li$ 

melancholy  expression.  A  second  and  third  response  was 
made  by  this  juvenile  assistant,  when  the  manly  sounds  of 
a  male  voice  proceeded  from  the  opposite  part  of  the  room. 
Miss  Temple  knew  the  tones  of  the  young  hunter  instantly,, 
and  struggling  to  overcome  her  own  diffidence,  she  added 
her  low  voice  to  the  number. 

All  this  time  Benjamin  stood  thumbing  the  leaves  of  a 
prayer-book  with  great  industry  ;  but  some  unexpected 
difficulties  prevented  his  finding  the  place.  Before  the  di- 
vine reached  the  close  of  the  confession,  however,  Richard 
j-eappeared  at  the  door,  and,  as  he  moved  lightly  across 
the  room,  he  took  up  the  response,  in  a  voice  that  betrayed 
no  other  concern  than  that  of  not  being  heard.  In  his  hand 
he  carried  a  small  open  box,  with  the  figures  "  8  by  10  " 
written  in  black  paint  on  one  of  its  sides  ;  which,  having 
placed  in  the  pulpit,  apparently  as  a  footstool  for  the  di- 
vine, he  returned  to  his  station  in  time  to  say,  sonorously, 
"Amen."  The  eyes  of  the  congregation,  very  naturally, 
were  turned  to  the  windows,  as  Mr.  Jones  entered  with  his 
singular  load  ;  and  then,  as  if  accustomed  to  his  "general 
agency,"  were  again  bent  on  the  priest,  in  close  and  curious 
attention. 

The  long  experience  of  Mr.  Grant  admirably  qualified 
him  to  perform  his  present  duty.  He  well  understood  the 
character  of  his  listeners,  who  were  mostly  a  primitive 
people  in  their  habits  ;  and  who,  being  a  good  deal  ad- 
dicted to  subtilties  and  nice  distinctions  in  their  religious 
opinions,  viewed  the  introduction  of  any  such  temporal 
assistance  as  form  into  their  spiritual  worship,  not  only 
with  jealousy,  but  frequently  with  disgust.  He  had  ac- 
quired much  of  his  knowledge  from  studying  the  great 
book  of  human  nature  as  it  lay  open  in  the  world  ;  and, 
knowing  how  dangerous  it  was  to  contend  with  ignorance, 
uniformly  endeavored  to  avoid  dictating  where  his  better 
reason  taught  him  it  was  the  most  prudent  to  attempt  to 
lead.  His  orthodoxy  had  no  dependence  on  his  cassock  ; 
he  could  pray  with  fervor  and  with  faith,  if  circumstances 
required  it,  without  the  assistance  of  his  clerk  ;  and  he  had 
even  been  known  to  preach  a  most  evangelical  sermon,  in 
the  winning  manner  of  native  eloquence,  without  the  aid 
of  a  cambric  handkerchief.  • 

In  the  present  instance  he  yielded,  in  many  places,  to 
the  prejudices  of  his  congregation  ;  and  when  he  had  ended, 
there  was  not  one  of  his  new  hearers  who  did  not  think  the 


n6  THE  PIONEERS. 

ceremonies  less  papal  and  offensive,  and  more  conformant 
to  his  or  her  own  notions  of  devout  worship,  than  they  had 
been  led  to  expect  from  a  service  of  forms.  Richard  found 
in  the  divine,  during  the  evening,  a  most  powerful  co-op- 
erator in  his  religious  schemes.  In  preaching,  Mr.  Grant 
endeavored  to  steer  a  middle  course  between  the  mystical 
doctrines  of  those  sublimated  creeds  which  daily  involve 
their  professors  in  the  most  absurd  contradictions,  and 
those  fluent  rules  of  moral  government  which  would  re- 
duce the  Saviour  to  a  level  with  the  teacher  of  a  school  of 
ethics.  Doctrine  it  was  necessary  to  preach,  for  nothing 
.  less  would  have  satisfied  the  disputatious  people  who  were 
his  listeners,  and  who  would  have  interpreted  silence  on 
his  part  into  a  tacit  acknowledgment  of  the  superficial 
nature  of  his  creed.  We  have  already  said  that,  among 
the  endfess  variety  of  religious  instructors,  the  settlers  were 
accustomed  to  hear  every  denomination  urge  its  own  dis- 
tinctive precepts,  and  to  have  found  one  indifferent  to  this 
interesting  subject  would  have  been  destructive  to  his  in- 
fluence. But  Mr.  Grant  so  happily  blended  the  universally 
received  opinions  of  the  Christian  faith  with  the  dogmas  of 
his  own  Church  that,  although  none  were  entirely  exempt 
from  the  influence  of  his  reasons,  very  few  took  any  alarm 
at  the  innovation. 

"  When  we  consider  the  great  diversity  of  the  human 
•character,  influenced  as  it  is  by  education,  by  opportunity, 
and  by  the  physical  and  moral  conditions  of  the  creature, 
my  dear  hearers,"  he  earnestly  concluded,  "  it  can  excite 
no  surprise  that  creeds  so  very  different  in  their  tenden- 
cies should  grow  out  of  a  religion  revealed,  it  is  true,  but 
whose  revelations  are  obscured  by  the  lapse  of  ages,  and 
whose  doctrines  were,  after  the  fashion  of  the  countries  in 
which  they  were  first  promulgated,  frequently  delivered  in 
parables,  and  in  a  language  abounding  in  metaphors  and 
loaded  with  figures.  On  points  where  the  learned  have,  in 
purity  of  heart,  been  compelled  to  differ,  the  unlettered 
will  necessarily  be  at  variance.  But,  happily  for  us,  my 
brethren,  the  fountain  of  divine  love  flows  from  a  source 
too  pure  to  admit  of  pollution  in  its  course  ;  it  extends,  to 
those  who  drink  of  its  vivifying  waters,  the  peace  of  the 
righteous,  and  life  everlasting  ;  it  endures  through  all  time, 
and  it  pervades  creation.  If  there  be  mystery  in  its  work- 
ings, it  is  the  mystery  of  a  Divinity.  With  a  clear  knowl- 
edge of  the  nature,  the  might,  and  majesty  of  God,  there 


THE  PIONEERS.  117 

might  be  conviction,  but  there  could  be  no  faith.  If  we 
are  required  to  believe  in  doctrines  that  seem  not  in  con- 
formity with  the  deductions  of  human  wisdom,  let  us 
never  forget  that  such  is  the  mandate  of  a  wisdom  that  is 
infinite.  It  is  sufficient  for  us  that  enough  is  developed  to 
point  our  path  aright,  and  to  direct  our  wandering  steps  to 
that  portal  which  shall  open  on  the  light  of  an  eternal  day. 
Then,  indeed,  it  may  be  humbly  hoped  that  the  film  which 
has  been  spread  by  the  subtilties  of  earthly  arguments 
will  be  dissipated  by  the  spiritual  light  of  Heaven  ;  and 
that  our  hour  of  probation,  by  the  aid  of  divine  grace,  be- 
ing once  passed  in  triumph,  will  be  followed  by  an  eternity 
of  intelligence  and  endless  ages  of  fruition.  All  that  is 
now  obscure  shall  become  plain  to  our  expanded  faculties  ; 
and  what  to  our  present  senses  may  seem  irreconcilable  to 
our  limited  notions  of  mercy,  of  justice,  and  of  love,  shall 
stand  irradiated  by  the  light  of  truth,  confessedly  the.  sug- 
gestions of  Omniscience,  and  the  acts  of  an  All-powerful 
Benevolence. 

"  What  a  lesson  of  humility,  my  brethren,  might  not 
each  of  us  obtain  from  a  review  of  his  infant  hours,  and 
the  recollection  of  his  juvenile  passions  !  How  differently 
do  the  same  acts  of  parental  rigor  appear,  in  the  eyes  of 
the  suffering  child,  and  of  the  chastened  man  !  When  the 
sophist  would  supplant,  with  the  wild  theories  of  his 
worldly  wisdom,  the  positive  mandates  of  inspiration,  let 
him  remember  the  expansion  of  his  own  feeble  intellects, 
and  pause — let  him  feel  the  wisdom  of  God  in  what  is  par- 
tially concealed,  as  well  as  that  which  is  revealed  ;  in  short, 
let  him  substitute  humility  for  pride  of  reason — let  him 
have  faith,  and  live  ! 

"The  consideration  of  this  subject  is  full  of  consolation, 
my  hearers,  and  does  not  fail  to  bring  with  it  lessons  of 
humility  and  of  profit,  that,  duly  improved,  would  both 
chasten  the  heart  and  strengthen  the  feeble-minded  man 
in  his  course.  It  is  a  blessed  consolation  to  be  able  to  lay 
the  misdoubtings  of  our  arrogant  nature  at  the  threshold 
of  the  dwelling-place  of  the  Deity,  from  whence  they  shall 
be  swept  away,  at  the  great  opening  of  the  portal,  like  the 
mists  of  the  morning  before  the  rising  sun.  It  teaches  us 
a  lesson  of  humility,  by  impressing  us  with  the  imperfec- 
tion of  human  powers,  and  by  warning  us  of  the  many 
weak  points  where  we  are  open  to  the  attack  of  the  great 
enemy  of  our  race  ;  it  proves  to  us  that  we  are  in  dangef 


Ii8  THE  PIONEERS. 

of  being  weak,  when  our  vanity  would  fain  soothe  us  into 
the  belief  that  we  are  most  strong  ;  it  forcibly  points  out 
to  us  the  vainglory  of  intellect,  and  shows  us  the  vast  dif- 
ference between  a  saving  faith  and  the  corollaries  of  a 
philosophical  theology  ;  and  it  teaches  us  to  reduce  our 
self-examination  to  the  test  of  good  works.  By  good 
works  must  be  understood  the  fruits  of  repentance,  the 
chiefest  of  which  is  charity.  Not  that  charity  only  which 
causes  us  to  help  the  needy  and  comfort  the  suffering,  but 
that  feeling  of  universal  philanthropy  which,  by  teaching 
us  to  love,  causes  us  to  judge  with  lenity  all  men  ;  striking 
at  the  root  of  self-righteousness,  and  warning  us  to  be 
sparing  of  our  condemnation  of  others,  while  our  own  sal- 
vation is  not  yet  secure. 

''The  lesson  of  expediency,  my  brethren,  which  I  would 
gather  from  the  consideration  of  this  subject,  is  most 
strongly  inculcated  by  humility.  On  the  leading  and  es- 
sential points  of  our  faith,  there  is  but  little  diiference 
among  those  classes  of  Christians  who  acknowledge  the 
attributes  of  the  Saviour,  and  depend  on  his  mediation. 
But  heresies  have  polluted  every  church,  and  schisms  are 
the  fruit  of  disputation.  In  order  to  arrest  these  dangers, 
and  to  insure  the  union  of  his  followers,  it  would  seem  that 
Christ  had  established  his  visible  church,  and  delegated 
the  ministry.  Wise  and  holy  men,  the  fathers  of  our  re- 
ligion, have  expended  their  labors  in  clearing  what  was  re- 
vealed from  the  obscurities  of  language,  and  the  results  of 
their  experience  and  researches  have  been  embodied  in  the 
form  of  evangelical  discipline.  That  this  discipline  must 
be  salutary,  is  evident  from  the  view  of  the  weakness  of 
human  nature  that  we  have  already  taken  ;  and  that  it 
may  be  profitable  to  us,  and  all  who  listen  to  its  precepts 
and  its  liturgy,  may  God,  in  his  infinite  wisdom,  grant ! — 
And  now  to,"  etc. 

With  this  ingenious  reference  to  his  own  forms  and  min- 
istry, Mr.  Grant  concluded  his  discourse.  The  most  pro- 
found attention  had  been  paid  to  the  sermon  during  the 
whole  of  its  delivery,  although  the  prayers  had  not  been  re- 
ceived with  so  perfect  demonstration  of  respect.  This  was 
by  no  means  an  intended  slight  of  that  liturgy  to  which  the 
divine  alluded,  but  was  the  habit  of  a  people  who  owed 
their  very  existence,  as  a  distinct  nation,  to  the  doctrinal 
character  of  their  ancestors.  Sundry  looks  of  private  dis- 
satisfaction were  exchanged  between  Hiram  and  one  oz 


THE  PIONEERS.  Hg 

two  of  the  leading  members  of  the  conference,  but  the  feel- 
ing went  no  further  at  that  time;  and  the  congregation, 
after  receiving  the  blessing  of  Mr.  Grant,  dispersed  in  si- 
lence, and  with  great  decorum. 


CHAPTER   XII. 

"Your  creeds  and  dogmas  of  a  learned  church 
May  build  a  fabric,  fair  with  moral  beauty  ; 
But  it  would  seem  that  the  strong  hand  of  God 
Can,  only,  'rase  the  devil  from  the  heart." — Duo. 

WHILE  the  congregation  was  separating,  Mr.  Grant  ap- 
proached the  place  where  Elizabeth  and  her  father  were 
seated,  leading  the  youthful  female  whom  we  have  men- 
tioned in  the  preceding  chapter,  and  presented  her  as  his 
daughter.  Her  reception  was  as  cordial  and  frank  as  the 
manners  of  the  country,  and  the  value  of  good  society, 
could  render  it ;  the  two  young  women  feeling,  instantly, 
that  they  were  necessary  to  the  comfort  of  each  other.  The 
Judge,  to  whom  the  clergyman's  daughter  was  also  a 
stranger,  was  pleased  to  find  one  who,  from  habits,  sex, 
and  years,  could  probably  contribute  largely  to  the  pleas- 
ures of  his  own  child,  during  her  first  privations,  on  her 
removal  from  the  associations  of  a  city  to  the  solitude  of 
Templeton  ;  while  Elizabeth,  who  had  been  forcibly  struck 
with  the  sweetness  and  devotion  of  the  youthful  suppliant, 
removed  the  slight  embarrassment  of  the  timid  stranger, 
by  the  ease  of  her  own  manners.  They  were  at  once  ac- 
quainted ;  and,  during  the  ten  minutes  that  the  "  academy  " 
was  clearing,  engagements  were  made  between  the  young 
people,  not  only  for  the  succeeding  day,  but  they  would 
probably  have  embraced  in  their  arrangements  half  of  the 
winter,  had  not  the  divine  interrupted  them,  by  saying : 

"  Gently,  gently,  my  dear  Miss  Temple,  or  you  will  make 
my  girl  too  dissipated.  You  forget  that  she  is  my  house- 
keeper, and  that  my  domestic  affairs  must  remain  unat- 
tended to,  should  Louisa  accept  of  half  the  kind  offers  you 
are  so  good  as  to  make  her." 

"And  why  should  they  not  be  neglected  entirely,  sir?" 
interrupted  Elizabeth.  "  There  are  but  two  of  you  ;  and 
certain  I  am  that  my  father's  house  will  not  only  contain 
you  both,  but  will  open  its  doors  spontaneously  to  receive 


120  THE  PIONEERS. 

such  guests.  Society  is  a  good,  not  to  be  rejected  on  ac« 
count  of  cold  forms,  in  this  wilderness,  sir  ;  and  I  have  often 
heard  my  father  say,  that  hospitality  is  not  a  virtue  in  a 
new  country,  the  favor  being  conferred  by  the  guest." 

"  The  manner  in  which  Judge  Temple  exercises  its  rites 
would  confirm  this  opinion  ;  but  we  must  not  trespass  too 
freely.  Doubt  not  that  you  will  see  us  often,  my  child  par- 
ticularly, during  the  frequent  visits  that  I  shall  be  com- 
pelled to  make  to  the  distant  parts  of  the  country.  But  to 
obtain  an  influence  with  such  a  people,  "  he  continued, 
glancing  his  eyes  toward  the  few  who  were  still  lingering, 
curious  observers  of  the  interview,  "a  clergyman  must  not 
awaken  envy  or  distrust,  by  dwelling  under  so  splendid  a 
roof  as  that  of  Judge  Temple." 

"You  like  the  roof,  then,  Mr.  Grant,"  cried  Richard, 
who  had  been  directing  the  extinguishment  of  the  fires, 
and  other  little  necessary  duties,  and  who  approached  in 
time  to  hear  the  close  of  the  divine's  speech — "  I  am  glad 
to  find  one  man  of  taste  at  last.  Here's  'duke,  now,  pre- 
tends to  call  it  by  every  abusive  name  he  can  invent ;  but 
though  'duke  is  a  tolerable  judge,  he  is  a  very  poor  car- 
penter, let  me  tell  him.  Well,  sir,  well,  I  think  we  may 
say,  without  boasting,  that  the  service  was  as  well  per- 
formed this  evening  as  you  often  see  ;  I  think,  quite  as 
well  as  I  ever  knew  it  to  be  done  in  old  Trinity — that  is, 
if  we  except  the  organ.  But  there  is  the  schoolmaster 
leads  the  psalm  with  a  very  good  air.  I  used  to  lead  my- 
self, but  latterly  I  have  sung  nothing  but  bass.  There  is 
a  good  deal  of  science  to  be  shown  in  the  bass,  and  it  af- 
fords a  fine  opportunity  to  show  off  a  full,  deep  voice. 
Benjamin,  too,  sings  a  good  bass,  though  he  is  often"  out 
in  the  words.  Did  you  ever  hear  Benjamin  sing  the  'Bay 
of  Biscay,  O  ? '" 

"  I  believe  he  gave  us  part  of  it  this  evening,"  said  Mar« 
maduke,  laughing.  "  There  was,  now  and  then,  a  fearful 
quaver  in  his  voice,  and  it  seems  that  Mr.  Penguillian  is 
like  most  others  who  do  one  thing  particularly  well  ;  he 
knows  nothing  else.  He  has,  certainly,  a  wonderful  par- 
tiality to  one  tune,  and  he  has  a  prodigious  self-confidence 
in  that  one,  for  he  delivers  himself  like  a  northwester 
sweeping  across  the  lake.  But  come,  gentlemen,  our  way 
is  clear,  and  the  sleigh  waits.  Good-evening,  Mr.  Grant. 
Good-night,  young  lady — remember  you  dine  beneath  the? 
Corinthian  roof,  to-morrow,  with  Elizabeth." 


.  THE  PIONEERS.  121 

+ 

The  parties  separated,  Richard  holding  a  close  disserta- 
tion with  Mr.  Le  Quoi,  as  they  descended  the  stairs,  on 
the  subject  of  psalmody,  which  he  closed  by  a  violent 
eulogium  on  the  air  of  the  "  Bay  of  Biscay,  O,"  as  partic- 
ularly connected  with  his  friend  Benjamin's  execution. 

During  the  preceding  dialogue,  Mohegan  retained  his 
seat,  with  his  head  shrouded  in  his  blanket,  as  seemingly 
inattentive  to  surrounding  objects  as  the  departing  con- 
gregation wras  itself  to  the  presence  of  the  aged  chief. 
Natty,  also,  continued  on  the  log  where  he  had  first 
placed  himself,  with  his  head  resting  on  one  of  his 
hands,  while  the  other  held  the  rifle,  which  was  thrown 
carelessly  across  his  lap.  His  countenance  expressed  un- 
easiness, and  the  occasional  unquiet  glances  that  he  had 
thrown  around  him  during  the  service,  plainly  indicated 
some  unusual  causes  for  unhappiness.  His  continuing 
seated  was,  however,  out  of  respect  to  the  Indian  chief,  to 
whom  he  paid  the  utmost  deference  on  all  occasions,  al- 
though it  was  mingled  with  the  rou'gh  manner  of  a  hun- 
ter. 

The  young  companion  of  these  two  ancient  inhabitants 
of  the  forest  remained  also  standing  before  the  extin- 
guished brands,  probably  from  an  unwillingness  to  depart 
without  his  comrades.  The  room  was  now  deserted  by  all 
but  this  group,  the  divine,  and  his  daughter.  As  the  party 
from  the  mansion-house  disappeared,  John  arose,  and, 
dropping  the  blanket  from  his  head,  he  shook  back  the 
mass  of  black  hair  from  his  face,  and,  approaching  Mr. 
Grant,  he  extended  his  hand,  and  said  solemnly : 

"  Father,  I  thank  you.  The  words  that  have  been  said, 
since  the  rising  moon,  have  gone  upward,  and  the  Great 
Spirit  is  glad.  What  you  have  told  your  children,  they 
will  remember,  and  be  good."  He  paused  a  moment,  and 
then,  elevating  himself  with  the  grandeur  of  an  Indian 
chief,  he  added  :  "  If  Chingachgook  lives  to  travel  toward 
the  setting  sun,  after  his  tribe,  and  the  Great  Spirit  carries 
him  over  the  lakes  and  mountains  with  the  breath  of  his 
body,  he  will  tell  his  people  the  good  talk  he  has  heard  ; 
and  they  will  believe  him  ;  for  who  can  say  that  Mohegan 
has  ever  lied  ? " 

"  Let  him  place  his  dependence  on  the  goodness  of  Di- 
vine mercy,"  said  Mr.  Grant,  to  whom  the  proud  con- 
sciousness of  the  Indian  sounded  a  little  heterodox,  "  and 
it  never  will  desert  him.  When  the  heart  is  filled  with 


122  THE  PIONEERS. 

love  to  God,  there  is  no  room  for  sm.  But,  young  man, 
to  you  I  owe  not  only  an  obligation,  in  common  with  those 
you  saved  this  evening  on  the  mountain,  but  my  thanks  for 
your  respectful  and  pious  manner  in  assisting  in  the  ser- 
vice at  a  most  embarrassing  moment.  I  should  be  happy 
to  see  you  sometimes  at  my  dwelling,  when,  perhaps,  my 
conversation  may  strengthen  you  in  the  path  which  you 
appear  to  have  chosen.  It  is  so  unusual  to  find  one  of 
your  age  and  appearance,  in  these  woods,  at  all  ac- 
quainted with  our  holy  liturgy,  that  it  lessens  at  once  the 
distance  between  us,  and  I  feel  that  we  are  no  longer 
strangers.  You  seem  quite  at  home  in  the  service  ;  I  did 
not  perceive  that  you  had  even  a  book,  although  good 
Mr.  Jones  had  laid  several  in  different  parts  of  the  room." 

"  It  would  be  strange  if  I  were  ignorant  of  the  service 
of  our  church,  sir,"  returned  the  youth,  modestly  ;  "  for  I 
was  baptized  in  its  communion  and  I  have  never  yet  at- 
tended public  worship  elsewhere.  For  me  to  use  the  forms 
of  any  other  denomination  would  be  as  singular  as  our 
own  have  proved  to  the  people  here  this  evening." 

"  You  give  me  great  pleasure,  my  dear  sir,"  cried  the 
divine,  seizing  the  other  by  the  hand,  and  shaking  it  cor- 
dially. "  You  will  go  home  with  rne  now — indeed  you 
must — my  child  has  yet  to  thank  you  for  saving  my  life. 
I  will  listen  to  no  apologies.  This  worthy  Indian,  and 
your  friend,  there,  will  accompany  us.  Bless  me  !  to  think 
that  he  has  arrived  at  manhood  in  this  country,  without 
entering  a  dissenting*  meeting-house  !  " 

"No,  no,"  interrupted  the  Leather-Stocking,  "  I  must 
away  to  the  wigwam  ;  there's  work  there  that  mustn't  be 
forgotten  for  all  your  churchings  and  merry-makings. 
Let  the  lad  go  with  you  in  welcome  ;  he  is  used  to  keep- 
ing company  with  ministers,  and  talking  of  such  matters  ; 
so  is  old  John,  who  was  christianized  by  the  Moravians 
about  the  time  of  the  old  war.  But  I  am  a  plain  unlarned 
man,  that  has  sarved  both  the  king  and  his  country,  in  his 
day,  ag'in  the  French  and  savages,  but  never  so  much  as 
looked  into  a  book,  or  larnt  a  letter  of  scholarship,  in  my 
born  days.  I've  never  seen  the  use  of  much  in-doorwork, 
though  I  have  lived  to  be  partly  bald,  and  in  my  time  have 
killed  two  hundred  beaver  in  a  season,  and  that  without 

*  The  divines  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  of  the  United  States 
commonly  call  other  denominations  Dissenters^  though  there  never  was  an 
established  church  in  their  own  country  ! 


THE  PIONEERS.  123 

counting  the  other  game.  If  you  mistrust  what  I  am  tell- 
ing you,  you  can  ask  Chingachgook  there,  for  I  did  it  in 
the  heart  of  the  Delaware  country,  and -the  old  man  is 
knowing  to  the  truth  of  every  word  I  say." 

**  I  doubt  not,  my  friend,  that  you  have  been  both  a 
valiant  soldier  and  skilful  hunter  in  your  day,"  said  the 
divine  ;  "  but  more  is  wanting  to  prepare  you  for  that  end 
which  approaches.  You  may  have  heard  the  maxim,  that 
' young  men  may  die,  but  that  old  men  must' " 

"I'm  sure  I  never  was  so  great  a  fool  as  to  expect  to 
live  forever,"  said  Natty,  giving  one  of  his  silent  laughs  ; 
"  no  man  need  do  that,  who  trails  the  savages  through  the 
woods,  as  I  have  done,  and  lives,  for  the  hot  months,  on 
the  lake  streams.  I've  a  strong  constitution,  I  must  say 
that  for  myself,  as  is  plain  to  be  seen  ;  for  I've  drunk  the 
Onondaga  water  a  hundred  times,  while  I've  been  watch 
ing  the  deer-licks,  when  the  fever-an-agy  seeds  was  to  be 
seen  in  it  as  plain  and  as  plenty  as  you  can  see  the  rattle- 
snakes on  old  Cruinhorn.  But  then,  I  never  expected  to 
hold  out  forever;  though  there's  them  living  who  have 
seen  the  German  flats  a  wilderness  ;  ay  !  and  them  that's 
larned,  and  acquainted  with  religion,  too  ;  though  you 
might  look  a  week,  now,  and  not  find  even  the  stump  of  a 
pine  on  them  ;  and  that's  a  wood  that  lasts  in  the  ground 
the  better  part  of  a  hundred  years  after  the  tree  is  dead." 

"  This  is  but  time,  my  good  friend,"  returned  Mr.  Grant, 
who  began  to  take  an  interest  in  the  welfare  of  his  new 
acquaintance,  "  but  I  would  have  you  prepare  for  eternity. 
It  is  incumbent  on  you  to  attend  places  of  public  worship, 
as  I  am  pleased  to  see  that  you  have  done  this  evening. 
Would  it  not  be  heedless  in  you  to  start  on  a  day's  toil  of 
hard  hunting,  and  leave  your  ramrod  and  flint  behind  ? " 

"  It  must  be  a  young  hand  in  the  woods,"  interrupted 
Natty,  with  another  laugh,  "  that  didn't  know  how  to  dress 
a  rod  out  of  an  ash  sapling  or  find  a  fire-stone  in  the  moun- 
tains. No,  no,  I  never  expected  to  live  forever ;  but  I  see, 
times  be  altering  in  these  mountains  from  what  they  was 
thirty  years  ago,  or,  for  that  matter,  ten  years.  But  might 
makes  right,  and  the  law  is  stronger  than  an  old  man, 
whether  he  is  one  that  has  much  laming,  or  only  like  me, 
that  is  better  now  at  standing  at  the  passes  than  in  follow- 
ing the  hounds,  as  I  once  used  to  could.  Heigh-ho  !  I 
never  know'd  preaching  come  into  a  settlement  but  it 
made  game  scarce,  and  raised  the  price  of  gunpowder  ; 


124  THE  PIONEERS. 

and  that's  a  thing  that's  not  as  easily  made  as  a  ramrod  or 
an  Indian  flint." 

The  divine,  perceiving  that  he  had  given  his  opponent 
an  argument  by  his  own  unfortunate  selection  of  a  com. 
parison,  very  prudently  relinquished  the  controversy  ;  al- 
though he  was  fully  determined  to  resume  it  at  a  more 
happy  moment.  Repeating  his  request  to  the  young  hun- 
ter, with  great  earnestness,  the  youth  and  Indian  consented 
to  accompany  him  and  his  daughter  to  the  dwelling  that 
the  care  of  Mr.  Jones  had  provided  for  their  temporary 
residence.  Leather-Stocking  persevered  in  his  intention 
of  returning  to  the  hut,  and  at  the  door  of  the  building  they 
separated. 

After  following  the  course  of  one  of  the  streets  of  the 
village  a  short  distance,  Mr.  Grant,  who  led  the  way,  turned 
into  a  field,  through  a  pair  of  open  bars,  and  entered  a 
footpath,  of  but  sufficient  width  to  admit  one  person  to 
walk  in  at  a  time.  The  moon  had  gained  a  height  that  en- 
abled her  to  throw  her  rays  perpendicularly  on  the  valley  ; 
and  the  distinct  shadows  of  the  party  flitted  along  on  the 
banks  of  the  silver  snow,  like  the  presence  of  aerial  figures, 
gliding  to  their  appointed  place  of  meeting.  The  night 
still  continued  intensely  cold,  although  not  a  breath  of 
wind  was  felt.  The  path  was  beaten  so  hard,  that  the  gen- 
tle female,  who  made  one  of  the  party,  moved  with  ease 
along  its  windings  ;  though  the  frost  emitted  a  low  creak- 
ing at  the  impression  of  even  her  light  footsteps. 

The  clergyman  in  his  dark  dress  of  broadcloth,  with  his 
mild,  benevolent  countenance  occasionally  turned  toward 
his  companions,  expressing  that  look  of  subdued  care  which 
was  its  characteristic,  presented  the  first  object  in  this  sin- 
gular group.  Next  to  him  moved  the  Indian,  his  hair  fall- 
ing about  his  face,  his  head  uncovered,  and  the  rest  of  his 
form  concealed  beneath  his  blanket.  As  his  swarthy  vis- 
age, with  its  muscles  fixed  in  rigid  composure,  was  seen 
under  the  light  of  the  moon,  which  struck  his  face  oblique- 
ly, he  seemed  a  picture  of  resigned  old  age,  on  whom  the 
storms  of  winter  had  beaten  in  vain  for  the  greater  part  of 
a  century ;  but  when,  in  turning  his  head,  the  rays  fell  di- 
rectly on  his  dark,  fiery,  eyes,  they  told  a  tale  of  passions 
unrestrained,  and  of  thoughts  free  as  air.  The  slight  per- 
son of  Miss  Grant,  which  followed  next,  and  which  was 
but  too  thinly  clad  for  the  severity  of  the  season,  formed  a 
marked  contrast  to  the  wild  attire  and  uneasy  glances  of 


THE  PIONEERS.  125 

the  Delaware  chief  ;  and  more  than  once  during  their  walk, 
the  young  hunter,  himself  no  insignificant  figure  in  the 
group,  was  led  to  consider  the  difference  in  the  human 
form,  as  the  face  of  Mohegan,  and  the  gentle  countenance 
of  Miss  Grant,  with  eyes  that  rivalled  the  soft  hue  of  the 
sky,  met  his  view  at  the  instant  that  each  turned  to  throw 
a  glance  at  the  splendid  orb  which  lighted  their  path. 
Their  way,  which  led  through  fields  that  lay  at  some  dis- 
tance in  the  rear  of  the  houses,  was  cheered  by  a  conversa- 
tion that  flagged  or  became  animated  with  the  subject. 
The  first  to  speak  was  the  divine. 

"  Really,"  he  said,  "  it  is  so  singular  a  circumstance  to 
meet  with  one  of  your  age,  that  has  not  been  induced  by 
idle  curiosity  to  visit  any  other  church  than  the  one  in 
which  he  has  been  educated,  that  I  feel  a  strong  curiosity 
to  know  the  history  of  a  life  so  fortunately  regulated.  Your 
education  must  have  been  excellent  ;  as  indeed  is  evident 
from  your  manners  and  language.  Of  which  of  the  States 
are  you  a  native,  Mr.  Edwrards  ?  for  such,  I  believe,  was 
the  name  that  you  gave  Judge  Temple." 

"Of  this." 

"  Of  this  !  I  was  at  a  loss  to  conjecture,  from  your  dialect, 
which  does  not  partake,  particularly,  of  the  peculiarities  of 
any  country  with  which  I  am  acquainted.  You  have,  then, 
resided  much  in  the  cities,  for  no  other  part  of  this  coun- 
try is  so  fortunate  as  to  possess  the  constant  enjoyment  of 
our  excellent  liturgy." 

The  young  hunter  smiled,  as  he  listened  to  the  divine 
while  he  so  clearly  betrayed  from  what  part  of  the  country 
he  had  come  himself  ;  but,  for  reasons  probably  connected 
with  his  present  situation,  he  made  no  answer. 

"  I  am  delighted  to  meet  with  you,  my  young  friend,  for 
I  think  an  ingenuous  mi'nd,  such  as  I  doubt  not  yours 
must  be,  will  exhibit  all  the  advantages  of  a  settled  doc- 
trine and  devout  liturgy.  You  perceive  how  I  was  com- 
pelled to  bend  to  the  humors  of  my  hearers  this  evening. 
Good  Mr.  Jones  wished  me  to  read  the  communion,  and, 
in  fact,  all  the  morning  service  ;  but,  happily,  the  canons 
do  not  require  this  of  an  evening.  It  would  have  wearied 
a  new  congregation  :  but  to  morrow  I  purpose  administer- 
ing the  sacrament.  Do  you  commune,  my  young  friend  ?  " 

"  I  believe  not,  sir,"  returned  the  youth, .with  a  little  em- 
barrassment, that  was  not^at  all  diminished  by  Miss  Grant's 
pausing  involuntarily,  and  turning  her  eyes  on  him  in  sur- 


126  THE  PIONEERS. 

prise — «i  fear  that  I  am  not  qualified  ;  I  have  never  yet 
approached  the  altar  ;  neither  would  I  wish  to  do  it  while 
I  find  so  much  of  the  world  clinging  to  my  heart." 

"  Each  must  judge  for  himself,"  said  Mr.  Grant ;  "though 
I  should  think  that  a  youth  who  had  never  been  blown 
about  by  the  wind  of  false  doctrines,  and  who  has  enjoyed 
the  advantages  of  our  liturgy  for  so  many  years  in  its 
purity,  might  safely  come.  Yet,  sir,  it  is  a  solemn  festival, 
which  none  should  celebrate  until  there  is  reason  to  hope 
it  is  not  mockery.  I  observed  this  evening,  in  your  man- 
ner to  Judge  Temple,  a  resentment  that  bordered  on  one 
of  the  worst  of  human  passions.  We  will  cross  this  brook 
on  the  ice  ;  it  must  bear  us  all,  I  think,  in  safety.  Be  care- 
ful not  to  slip,  my  child."  While  speaking,  he  descended 
a  little  bank  by  the  path,  and  crossed  one  of  the  small 
streams  that  poured  their  waters  into  the  lake  ;  and,  turn- 
ing to  see  his  daughter  pass,  observed  that  .the  youth  had 
advanced,  and  was  kindly  directing  her  footsteps.  When 
all  were  safely  over,  he  moved  up  the  opposite  bank,  and 
continued  his  discourse.  "  It  was  wrong,  my  dear  sir,  very 
wrong,  to  suffer  such  feelings  to  rise,  under  any  circum- 
stances, and  especially  in  the  present,  where  the  evil  was 
not  intended." 

"  There  is  good  in  the  talk  of  my  father,"  said  Mohegan, 
stopping  short,  and  causing  those  who  were  behind  him  to 
pause  also  ;  "  it  is  the  talk  of  Miquon.  The  white  man 
may  do  as  his  fathers  have  told  him  ;  but  the  '  Young 
Eagle '  has  the  blood  of  a  Delaware  chief  in  his  veins  ;  it 
is  red,  and  the  stain  it  makes  can  only  be  washed  out  with 
the  blood  of  a  Mingo." 

Mr.  Grant  was  surprised  by  the  interruption  of  the  In- 
dian, and,  stopping,  faced  the  speaker.  His  mild  features 
I  were  confronted  to  the  fierce  and  determined  looks  of  the 
chief,  and  expressed  the  horror  he  felt  at  hearing  such 
sentiments  from  one  who  professed  the  religion  of  his 
Saviour.  Raising  his  hands  to  a  level  with  his  head,  he  ex- 
claimed : 

.  "  John,  John  !  is  this  the  religion  that  you  have  learned 
from  the  Moravians  ?  But  no — I  will  not  be  so  uncharit- 
able as  to  suppose  it.  They  are  a  pious,  a  gentle,  and  a 
mild  people,  and  could  never  tolerate  these  passions.  Lis- 
ten to  the  language  of  the  Redeemer  :  *  But  I  say  unto  you, 
love  your  enemies  ;  bless  them  that  curse  you  ;  do  good  to 
them  that  hate  you  ;  pray  for  them  that  despitefully  use 


THE  PIONEERS.  127 

you  and  persecute  you.'  This  is  the  command  of  God, 
John,  and,  without  striving  to  cultivate  such  feelings,  no 
nan  can  see  Him." 

The  Indian  heard  the  divine  with  attention  ;  the  unusual 
fire  of  his  eye  gradually  softened,  and  his  muscles  relaxed 
into  their  ordinary  composure  ;  but,  slightly  shaking  his 
Head,  he  motioned  with  dignity  for  Mr.  Grant  to -resume 
his  walk,  and  followed  himself  in  silence.  The  agitation 
of  the  divine  caused  him  to  move  with  unusual  rapidity 
ulong  the  deep  path,  and  the  Indian,  without  any  apparent 
exertion,  kept  an  equal  pace  ;  but  the  young  hunter  ob- 
served the  female  to  linger  in  her  steps,  until  a  trifling 
distance  intervened  between  the  two  former  and  the  latter. 
Struck  by  the  circumstance,  and  not  perceiving  any  new 
impediment  to  retard  her  footsteps,  the  youth  made  a  ten- 
der of  his  assistance. 

"You  are  fatigued,  Miss  Grant,"  he  said;  "the  snow 
yields  to  the  foot,  and  you  are  unequal  to  the  strides  of 
us  men.  Step  on  the  crust,  I  entreat  you,  and  take  the 
help  of  my  arm.  Yonder  light  is,  I  believe,  the  house  of 
your  father  ;  but  it  seems  yet  at  some  distance." 

"I  am  quite  equal  to  the  walk,"  returned  alow,  tremu- 
lous voice  ;  "  but  I  am  startled  by  the  manner  of  that  In- 
dian. Oh  !  his  eye  was  horrid,  as  he  turned  to  the  moon, 
in  speaking  to  my  father.  But  I  forget,  sir  ;  he  is  your 
friend,  and  by  his  language  may  be  your  relative ;  and  yet 
of  you  I  do  not  feel  afraid." 

The  young  man  stepped  on  the  bank  of  snow,  which 
firmly  sustained  his  weight,  and  by  a  gentle  effort  induced 
his  companion  to  follow.  Drawing  her  arm  through  his 
own,  he  lifted  his  cap  from  his  head,  allowing  the  dark 
locks  to  flow  in  rich  curls  over  his  open  brow,  and  walked 
by  her  side  with  an-  air  of  conscious  pride,  as  if  inviting 
an  examination  of  his  utmost  thoughts.  Louisa  took  but 
a  furtive  glance  at  his  person,  a*id  moved  quietly  along, 
at  a  rate  that  was  greatly  quickened  by  the  aid  of  his  arm. 

"  You  are  but  little  acquainted  with  this  peculiar  peo- 
ple, Miss  Grant, "he  said,  "  or  you  would  know  that  re- 
venge is  a  virtue  with  an  Indian.  They  are  taught,  from 
infancy  upward,  to  believe  it  a  duty  never  to  allow  an  in- 
jury to  pass  unrevenged  ;  and  nothing  but  the  stronger 
claims  of  hospitality  can  guard  one  against  their  resent- 
ments where  they  have  power." 

"  Surely,  sir,"  said   Miss  Grant,  involuntarily  withdraw- 


128  THE  PIONEERS. 

ing  her  arm  from  his,  "  you  have  not  been  educated  with 
such  unholy  sentiments  ?" 

"  It  might  be  a  sufficient  answer  to  your  excellent  father 
to  say  that  I  was  educated  in  the  church,"  he  returned; 
"  but  to  you  I  will  add  that  I  have  been  taught  deep  and 
practical  lessons  of  forgiveness.  I  believe  that,  on  this 
subject^  I  have  but  little  cause  to  reproach  myself  ;  it  shall 
be  my  endeavor  that  there  yet  be  less." 

While  speaking  he  stopped,  and  stood  with  his  arm 
again  proffered  to  her  assistance.  As  he  ended,  she  qui. 
etly  accepted  his  offer,  and  they  resumed  their  walk. 

Mr.  Grant  and  Mohegan  had  reached  the  door  of  the 
former's  residence,  and  stood  waiting  near  its  threshold 
for  the  arrival  of  their  young  companions.  The  former 
was  earnestly  occupied  in  endeavoring  to  correct,  by  his 
precepts,  the  evil  propensities  that  he  had  discovered  in  the 
Indian  during  their  conversation  ;  to  which  the  latter  lis- 
tened in  profound  but  respectful  attention.  On  the  arrival 
of  the  young  hunter  and  the  lady,  they  entered  the  build- 
ing. The  house  stood  at  some  distance  from  the  village, 
in  the  centre  of  a  field,  surrounded  by  stumps  that  were 
peering  above  the  snow,  bearing  caps  of  pure  white, 
nearly  two  feet  in  thickness.  Not  a  tree  nor  a  shrub  was 
nigh  it  ;  but  the  house,  externally,  exhibited  that  cheer- 
less, unfurnished  aspect  which  is  so  common  to  the  hastily 
erected  dwellings  of  a  new  country.  The  uninviting  char- 
acter of  its  outside  was,  however,  happily  relieved  by  the 
exquisite  neatness  and  comfortable  warmth  within. 

They  entered  an  apartment  that  was  fitted  as  a  parlor, 
though  the  large  fireplace,  with  its  culinary  arrangements, 
betrayed  the  domestic  uses  to  which  it  was  occasionally 
applied.  The  bright  blaze  from  the  hearth  rendered  the 
light  that  proceeded  from  the  candle  Louisa  produced, 
unnecessary  ;  for  the  scanty  furniture  of  the  room  was 
easily  seen  and  examined  by  the  former.  The  floor  was 
covered  in  the  centre  by  a  carpet  made  of  rags,  a  species 
of  manufacture  that  wras  then,  and  yet  continues  to  be, 
much  in  use  in  the  interior  ;  while  its  edges,  that  were  ex- 
posed to  view,  were  of  unspotted  cleanliness.  There  was 
a  trifling  air  of  better  life  in  a  tea-table  and  work-stand, 
as  well  as  in  an  old-fashioned  mahogany  bookcase  ;  but 
the  chairs,  the  dining-table,  and  the  rest  of  the  furniture, 
were  of  the  plainest  aud  cheapest  construction.  Against 
the  walls  were  hung  a  few  specimens  of  needle-work  and 


THE  flONEERS.  129 

drawing,  the  former  executed  with  great  neatness,  though 
of  somewhat  equivocal  merit  in  their  designs,  while  the 
latter  were  strikingly  deficient  in  both. 

One  of  the  former  represented  a  tomb,  with  a  youthful 
female  weeping  over  it,  exhibiting  a  church  with  arched 
windows  in  the  background.  On  the  tomb  were  the  names, 
with  the  dates  of  the  births  and  deaths,  of  several  indivi- 
duals, all  of  whom  bore  the  name  of  Grant.  An  extremely 
cursory  glance  at  this  record  was  sufficient  to  discover  to 
the  young  hunter  the  domestic  state  of  the  divine.  He 
there  read  that  he  was  a  widower  ;  and  that  the  innocent 
and  timid  maiden,  who  had  been  his  companion,  was  the 
only  survivor  of  six  children.  The  knowledge  of  the  de- 
pendence which  each  of  these  meek  Christians  had  on  the 
other,  for  happiness,  threw  an  additional  charm  around 
the  gentle,  but  kind  attentions  which  the  daughter  paid  to 
the  father. 

These  observations  occurred  while  the  party  were  seat- 
ing themselves  before  the  cheerful  fire,  during  which  time 
there  was  a  suspension  of  discourse.  But,  when  each  was 
comfortably  arranged,  and  Louisa,  after  laying  aside  a  thin 
coat  of  faded  silk,  and  a  gipsy  hat,  that  was  more  becom- 
ing to  her  modest,  ingenuous  countenance  than  appropri- 
ate to  the  season,  had  taken  a  chair  between  her  father  and 
the  youth,  the  former  resumed  the  conversation. 

"  I  trust,  my  young  friend,"  he  said,  "that  the  education 
you  have  received  has  eradicated  most  of  those  revengeful 
principles  which  you  may  have  inherited  by  descent,  for  I 
understand  from  the  expressions  of  John,  that  you  have 
some  of  the  blood  of  the  Delaware  tribe.  Do  not  mistake 
me,  I  beg,  for  it  is  not  color,  nor  lineage,  that  constitutes 
merit  ;  and  I  know  not  that  he  who  claims  affinity  to  the 
proper  owners  of  this  soil  has  not  the  best  right  to  tread 
these  hills  with  the  lightest  conscience." 

Mohegan  turned  solemnly  to  the  speaker,  and,  with  the 
peculiarly  significant  gestures  of  an  Indian,  he  spoke  : 

"  Father,  you  are  not  yet  past  the  summer  of  life  ;  your 
limbs  are  young.  Go  to  the  highest  hill,  and  look  around 
you.  All  that  you  see,  from  the  rising  to  the  setting  sun, 
from  the  head-waters  of  the  great  spring  to  where  the 
*  crooked  river'  *  is  hid  by  the  hills,  is  his.  He  has  Dela- 

*  The  Susquehannah  means  crooked  river;  "hannah,"  or  "hannock," 
meant  river  in  many  of  the  native  dialects.  Thus  we  fmd  Rappahannock 
as  far  south  as  Virginia. 

9 


I30  THE  PIONEERS. 

ware  blood,  and  his  right  is  strong.  But  the  brother  oi 
Miquon  is  just,  he  will  cut  the  country  in  two  parts,  as 
the  river  cuts  the  lowlands,  and  will  say  to  the  '  Young 
Eagle,'  Child  of  the  Delawares  !  take  it — keep  it — and  be 
a  chief  in  the  land  of  your  fathers." 

"  Never !  "  exclaimed  the  young  hunter,  with  a  vehem- 
ence that  destroyed  the  rapt  attention  with  which  the 
divine  and  his  daughter  wTere  listening  to  the  Indian. 
"  The  wolf  of  the  forest  is  not  more  rapacious  for  his  prey 
than  that  man  is  greedy  of  gold  ;  and  yet  his  glidings  into 
Wealth  are  subtle  as  the  movements  of  a  serpent." 

"Forbear,  forbear,  my  son,  forbear,"  interrupted  Mr. 
Grant  "  These  angry  passions  must,  be  subdued.  The 
accidental  injury  you  have  received  from  Judge  Temple 
has  heightened  the  sense  of  your  hereditary  wrongs.  But 
remember  that  the  one  was  unintentional,  and  that  the  other 
is  the  effect  of  political  changes,  which  have,  in  their 
course,  greatly  lowered  the  pride  of  kings,  and  swept 
mighty  nations  from  the  face  of  the  earth.  Where  now 
are  the  Philistines,  who  so  often  held  the  children  of 
Israel  in  bondage  ?  or  that  city  of  Babylon,  which  rioted 
in  luxury  and  vice,  and  who  styled  herself  the  Queen  of 
Nations  in  the  drunkenness  of  her  pride  ?  Remember 
the  prayer  of  our  holy  litany,  where  we  implore  the  Divine 
Power — '  that  it  may  please  thee  to  forgive  our  enemies, 
persecutors,  and  slanderers,  and  to  turn  their  hearts.' 
The  sin  of  the  wrongs  which  have  been  done  to  the  natives 
is  shared  by  Judge  Temple  only  in  common  with  a  whole 
people,  and  your  arm  will  speedily  be  restored  to  its 
strength." 

"  This  arm  !  "  repeated  the  youth,  pacing  the  floor  in 
violent  agitation.  "Think  you,  sir,  that  I  believe  the  man 
a  murderer  ? — Oh,  no !  he  is  too  wily,  too  cowardly,  for 
such  a  crime.  But  let  him  and  his  daughter  riot  in  their 
wealth — a  day  of  retribution  will  come.  No,  no,  no,"  he 
continued,  as  he  trod  the  floor  more  calmly — "  it  is  for 
Mohegan  to  suspect  him  of  an  intent  to  injure  me  ;  but 
the  trifle  is  not  worth  a  second  thought." 

He  seated  himself,  and  hid  his  face  between  his  hands, 
as  they  rested  on  his  knees. 

"  It  is  the  hereditary  violence  of  a  native's  passion,  my 
child,"  said  Mr.  Grant  in  alow  tone  to  his  affrighted  daugh 
ter,  who  was  clinging  in  terror  to  his  arm.  "  He  is  mixed 
with  the  blood  of  the  Indians,  you  have  heard  ;  and  neither 


THE  PIONEERS:  131 

the  refinements  of  education,  nor  the  advantages  of  our 
excellent  liturgy,  have  been  able  entirely  to  eradicate  the 
evil.  But  care  and  time  will  do  much  for  him  yet." 

Although  the  divine  spoke  in  a  low  tone,  yet  what  he 
uttered  was  heard  by  the  youth,  who  raised  his  head,  with 
a  smile  of  indefinite  expression,  and  spoke  more  calmly. 

"  Be  not  alarmed,  Miss  Grant,  at  either  the  wildness  of 
my  manner  or  that  of  my  dress.  I  have  been  carried  away 
by  passions  that  I  should  struggle  to  repress.  I  must  at- 
tribute it,  with  your  father,  to  the  blood  in  my  veins,  al- 
though I  would  not  impeach  my  lineage  willingly  ;  for  it 
is  all  that  is  left  me  to  boast  of.  Yes !  I  am  proud  of  my 
descent  from  a  Delaware  chief,  who  was  a  warrior  that  en- 
nobled human  nature.  Old  Mohegan  was  his  friend,  and 
will  vouch  for  his  virtues." 

Mr.  Grant  here  took  up  the  discourse,  and,  finding  the 
young  man  more  calm,  and  the  aged  chief  attentive,  he 
entered  into  a  full  and  theological  discussion  of  the  duty 
of  forgiveness.  The  conversation  lasted  for  more  than  an 
hour,  when  the  visitors  arose,  and,  after  exchanging  good 
wishes  with  their  entertainers,  they  departed.  At  the  door 
they  separated,  Mohegan  taking  the  direct  route  to  the 
village,  while  the  youth  moved  toward  the  lake.  The 
divine  stood  at  the  entrance  of  his  dwelling,  regarding  the 
figure  of  the  aged  chief  as  it  glided,  <it  an  astonishing  gait 
for  his  years,  along  the  deep  path  ;  his  black,  straight  hair 
just  visible  over  the  bundle  formed  by  his  blanket,  which 
was  sometimes  blended  with  the  snow,  under  the  silvery 
light  of  the  moon.  From  the  rear  of  the  house  was  a  win- 
dow that  overlooked  the  lake  ;  and  here  Louisa  was  found 
by  her  father,  when  he  entered,  gazing  intently  on  some 
object  in  the  direction  of  the  eastern  mountain.  He  ap- 
proached the  spot,  and  saw  the  figure  of  the  young  hunter, 
at  the  distance  of  half  a  mile,  walking  with  prodigious 
steps  across  the  wide  fields  of  frozen  snow  that  covered  the 
ice,  toward  the  point  where  he  knew  the  hut  inhabited  by 
the  Leather-Stocking  was  situated  on  the  margin  of  the 
lake,  under  a  rock  that  was  crowned  by  pines  and  hemlocks. 
At  the  next  instant,  the  wildly-looking  form  entered  the 
shadow  cast  from  the  overhanging  trees,  .and  was  lost  to 
view. 

"  It  is  marvellous  how  long  the  propensities  of  the  sav- 
age continue  in  that  remarkable  race,"  said  the  good  di« 
vine  ;  "  but  if  he  perseveres  as  he  has  commenced,  his  tri~ 


I3>  THE  PIONEERS. 

umph  shall  yet  b^  complete.  Put  me  in  mind,  Louisa,  to 
lend  him  the  homily  *  against  peril  of  idolatry,'  at  his  next 
visit." 

*'  Surely,  father,  you  do  not  think  him  in  danger  of  re- 
lapsing into  t'-,e  "Torship  of  his  ancestors  ? " 

•'  No,  my  chhc*,  returned  the  clergyman,  laying  his  hand 
affectionately  on  her  flaxen  locks,  and  smiling  ;  "  his  white 
blood  would  prevent  it  ;  jut  there  is  such  a  thing  as  the 
idolatry  of  our  passions." 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

"And  I'll  drink  out  of  the  quart  pot — 
Here's  a  health  to  the  barley  mow." — DRINKING  SONG. 

ON  one  of  the  corners,  where  the  two  principal  streets  of 
Templeton  intersected  each  other,  stood,  as  we  have  already 
mentioned,  the  inn  called  the  "  Bold  Dragoon."  In  the  ori- 
ginal plan  it  was  ordained  that  the  village  should  stretch 
along  the  little  stream  that  rushed  down  the  valley  ;  and 
the  street  which  led  from  the  lake  to  the  academy  was  in- 
tended to  be  its  western  boundary.  But  convenience  fre- 
quently frustrates  the  best  regulated  plans.  The  house  of 
Mr.,  or  as,  in  consequence  of  commanding  the  militia  of 
that  vicinity,  he  was  called,  Captain  Hollister,  had,  at  an 
early  day,  been  erected  directly  facing  the  main  street, 
and  ostensibly  interposed  a  barrier  to  its  further  progress. 
Horsemen,  and  subsequently  teamsters,  however,  availed 
themselves  of  an  opening,  at  the  end  of  the  building,  to 
shorten  their  passage  westward,  until,  in  time,  the  regular 
highway  was  laid  out  along  this  course,  and  houses  were 
gradually  built  on  either  side,  so  as  effectually  to  prevent 
any  subsequent  correction  of  the  evil. 

Two  material  consequences  followed  this  change  in  the 
regular  plans  of  Marmaduke.  The  main  street,  after  run- 
ning about  half  its  length,  was  suddenly  reduced  to  pre- 
cisely that  difference  in  its  width;  and  the  "Bold  Dragoon" 
became,  next  to  the  mansion-house,  by  far  the  most  con- 
spicuous edifice  in  the  place. 

This  conspicuousness,  aided  by  the  characters  of  the  host 
and  hostess,  gave  the  tavern  an  advantage  over  all  its  fu- 
ture competitors  that  no  circumstances  could  conquer. 
An  effort  was,  however,  made  to  do  so  ;  and  at  the  cornei 


THE  PIONEERS.  533 

diagonally  opposite,  stood  a  new  building  that  was  in- 
tended, by  its  occupants,  to  look  down  all  opposition.  It 
was  a  house  of  wood,  ornamented  in  the  prevailing  style 
of  architecture,  and  about  the  roof  and  balustrades  was 
one  of  the  three  imitators  of  the  mansion-house.  The 
upper  windows  were  filled  with  rough  boards  secured  by 
nails,  to  keep  out  the  cold  air — for  the  edifice  was  far 
from  finished,  although  glass  was  to  be  seen  in  the  lower 
apartments,  and  the  light  of  the  powerful  fires  within  de- 
noted that  it  was  already  inhabited.  The  exterior  was 
painted  white  on  the  front,  and  on  the  end  which  was  ex- 
posed to  the  street  ;  but  in  the  rear,  and  on  the  side  which 
was  intended  to  join  the  neighboring  house,  it  was  coarse- 
ly smeared  with  Spanish  brown.  Before  the  door  stood 
two  lofty  posts,  connected  at  the  top  by  a  beam,  from  which 
was  suspended  an  enormous  sign,  ornamented  around  its 
edges  with  certain  curious  carvings  in  pine  boards,  and  on 
its  faces  loaded  with  masonic  emblems.  Over  these  mys^ 
terious  figures  was  written,  in  large  letters,  "The  Temple- 
ton  Coffee-house,  and  Traveller's  Hotel,"  and  beneath 
them,  "  By  Habakkuk  Foote  and  Joshua  Knapp."  This 
was  a  fearful  rival  to  the  "  Bold  Dragoon,"  as  our  readers 
will  the  more  readily  perceive  when  we  add  that  the  same 
sonorous  names  were  to  be  seen  over  a  newly  erected  store 
in  the  village,  a  hatters  shop,  and  the  gates  of  a  tan-yard. 
But,  either  because  too  much  was  attempted  to  be  executed 
well,  or  that  the  "  Bold  Dragoon  "  had  established  a  repu- 
tation which  could  not  be  easily  shaken,  not  only  Judge 
Temple  and  his  friends,  but  most  of  the  villagers  also,  who 
were  not  in  debt  to  the  powerful  firm  we  have  named, 
frequented  the  inn  of  Captain  Hollister,  on  all  occasions 
where  such  a  house  was  necessary. 

On  the  present  evening  the  limping  veteran  and  his 
consort  were  hardly  housed  after  their  return  from  the 
academy,  when  the  sounds  of  stamping  feet  at  their  thresh- 
old announced  the  approach  of  visitors,  who  were  prob- 
ably assembling  with  a  view  to  compare  opinions  on  the 
subject  of  the  ceremonies  they  had  witnessed. 

The-  public,  or  as  it  was  called,  the  "bar-room,"  of  the 
"  Bold  Dragoon,"  was  a  spacious  apartment,  lined  on  three 
sides  with  benches,  and  on  the  fourth  by  fireplaces.  Of 
the  latter  there  were  two  of  such  size  as  to  occupy,  with 
their  enormous  jambs,  the  whole  of  that  side  of  the  apart- 
ment where  they  were  placed,  excepting  room  enough  for 


134  THE  PIONEERS. 

a  door  or  two,  and  a  little  apartment  in  one  corner,  whicli 
was  protected  by  miniature  palisadoes,  and  profusely  gar- 
nished with  bottles  and  glasses.  In  the  entrance  to  this 
sanctuary  Mrs.  Hollister  was  seated,  with  great  gravity  in 
her  air,  while  her  husband  occupied  himself  with  stirring 
the  fires,  moving  the  logs  with  a  large  stake  burnt  to  a 
pornt  at  one  end. 

"  There,  sargeant,  dear,"  said  the  landlady,  after  she 
thought  the  veteran  had  got  the  logs  arranged  in  the  most 
judicious  manner,  "give  over  poking,  for  it's  no  goodye'll 
be  doing,  now  that  they  burn  so  convaniently.  There's 
the  glasses  on  the  table  there,  and  the  mug  that  the  doctor 
was  taking  his  cider  and  ginger  in,  before  the  fire  here — 
just  put  them  in  the  bar,  will  ye  ?  for  we'll  be  having  the 
jooge,  and  the  major,  and  Mr.  Jones  down  the  night,  with- 
out reckoning  Benjamin  Poomp,  and  the  lawyers  ;  so  ye'll 
be  fixing  the  room  tidy  ;  and  put  both  flip  irons  in  the 
coals  ;  and  tell  Jude,  the  lazy  black  baste,  that  if  she's  no 
be  claneing  up  the  kitchen  I'll  turn  her  out  of  the  house, 
and  she  may  live  wid  the  jontlemen  that  kape  the  'Coffee- 
house,' good  luck  to  'em.  Och  !  sargeant,  sure  it's  a  great 
privilege  to  go  to  amateing  where  a  body  can  sit  asy,  with- 
out joomping  up  and  down  so  often,  as  this  Mr.  Grant  is 
doing  that  same." 

"  It's  a  privilege  at  all  times,  Mrs.  Hollister,  whether  we 
stand  or  be  seated ;  or,  as  good  Mr.  Whitefield  used  to  do 
after  he  had  made  a  wearisome  day's  march,  get  on  our 
knees  and  pray,  like  Moses  of  old,  with  a  flanker  to  the 
right  and  left,  to  lift  his  hands  to  Heaven,"  returned  her 
husband,  who  composedly  performed  what  she  had  di- 
rected to  tre  done.  "  It  was  a  very  pretty  fight,  Betty,  that 
the  Israelites  had  on  that  day  with  the  Amalekites.  It 
seems  that  they  font  on  a  plain,  for  Moses  is  mentioned  as 
having  gone  on  the  heights  to  overlook  the  battle,  and 
wrestle  in  prayer;  and  if  I  should  judge,  with  my  little 
laming,  the  Israelites  depended  mainly  on  their  horse,  for 
it  was  written  that  Joshua  cut  up  the  enemy  with  the  edge 
of  the  sword  ;  from  which  I  infer,  not  only  that  they  were 
horse,  but  well  disciplyn'd  troops.  Indeed,  it  says  as 
much  as  that  they  were  chosen  men  ;  quite  likely  volun- 
teers ;  for  raw  dragoons  seldom  strike  with  the  edge  of  their 
swords,  particularly  if  the  weapon  be  any  way  crooked." 

"  Pshaw  !  why  do  ye  bother  yourself  wid  texts,  man, 
about  so  small  a  matter,"  interrupted  the  landlady  ;  "sure, 


THE  PIONEERS.  135 

It  was  the  Lord  who  was  with  'em  ;  for  he  always  sided 
with  the  Jews,  before  they  fell  away  ;  and  it's  but  little 
matter  what  kind  of  men  Joshua  commanded,  so  that  he 
was  doing  the  right  bidding.  Aven  them  cursed  millaishy, 
the  Lord  forgive  me  for  swearing,  that  was  the  death  of 
him,  wid  their  cowardice,  would  have  carried  the  day  in 
old  times.  There's  no  rason  to  be  thinking  that  the  sol- 
diers were  used  to  the  drill." 

"  I  must  say,  Mrs.  Hollister,  that  I  have  not  often  seen 
raw  troops  fight  better  than  the  left  flank  of  the  militia,  at 
the  time  you  mention.  They  rallied  handsomely,  and  that 
without  beat  of  drum,  which  is  no  easy  thing  to  do  under 
fire,  and  were  very  steady  till  he  fell.  But  the  Scriptures 
contain  no  unnecessary  words ;  and  I  will  maintain  that 
horse,  who  know  how  to  strike  with  the  edge  of  the  sword, 
must  be  well  disciplyn'd'.  Many  a  good  sarmon  has  been 
preached  about  smaller  matters  than  that  one  word  !  If 
the  text  was  not  meant  to  be  particular,  why  wasn't  it 
written  with  the  sword,  and  not  with  the  edge  !  Now,  a 
back-handed  stroke,  on  the  edge,  takes  long  practice. 
Goodness  !  what  an  argument  would  Mr.  Whitefield  make 
of  that  word  edge!  As  to  the  captain,  if  he  had  only 
called  up  the  guard  of  dragoons  when  he  rallied  the  foot, 
they  would  have  shown  the  inimy  what  the  edge  of  a 
sword  was  ;  for,  although  there  was  no  commissioned  offi- 
cer with  them,  yet  I  think  I  must  say,"  the  veteran  con- 
tinued, stiffening  his  cravat  about  his  throat,  and  raising 
himself  up,  with  the  air  of  a  drill-sergeant,  "they  were  led 
by  a  man  who  knovv'd  how  to  bring  them  on,  in  spite  of 
the  ravine." 

"Is  it  lade  on  ye  would,"  cried  the  landlady,  "when  ye 
know  yourself,  Mr.  Hollister,  that  the  baste  he  rode  was 
but  little  able  to  joomp  from  one  rock  to  another,  and  the 
animal  was  as  spry  as  a  squirrel  ?  Och !  but  it's  useless  to 
talk,  for  he's  gone  this  many  a  year.  I  would  that  he  had 
lived  to  see  the  true  light ;  but  there's  mercy  for  a  brave 
sowl,  that  died  in  the  saddle,  fighting  for  the  liberty.  It 
is  a  poor  tombstone  they  have  given  him,  anyway,  and 
many  a  good  one  that  died  like  himself ;  but  the  sign  is  very 
like,  and  I  will  be  kapeing  it  up,  while  the  blacksmith  can 
make  a  hook  for  it  to  swing  on,  for  all  the  '  coffee-houses ' 
betvvane  this  and  Albany." 

There  is  no  saying  where  this  desultory  conversation 
would  have  led  the  worthy  couple,  had  not  the  men,  who 


136  THE  PIONEERS. 

were  stamping  the  snow  off  their  feet,  on  the  little  plat, 
form  before  the  door,  suddenly  ceased  their  occupation, 
and  entered  the  bar-room. 

For  ten  or  fifteen  minutes  the  different  individuals,  who 
intended  either  to  bestow  or  receive  edification,  before  the 
fires  of  the  "  Bold  Dragoon,"  on  that  evening, were  collect- 
ing, until  the  benches  were  nearly  filled  with  men  of  dif- 
ferent occupations.  Dr.  Todd  and  a  slovenly-looking, 
shabby-genteel  young  man,  who  took  tobacco  profusely, 
wore  a  coat  of  imported  cloth,  cut  with  something  like  a 
fashionable  air,  frequently  exhibited  a  large  French  silver 
watch,  with  a  chain  of  woven  hair  and  a  silver  key,  and 
who,  altogether,  seemed  as  much  above  the  artisans  around 
him  as  he  was  himself  inferior  to  the  real  gentleman,  oc- 
cupied a  high-back  wooden  settee,  in  the  most  comfort- 
able corner  in  the  apartment. 

Sundry  brown  mugs,  containing  cider  or  beer,  were 
placed  between  the  heavy  andirons,  and  little  groups  were 
found  among  the  guests,  as  subjects  arose,  or  the  liquor 
was  passed  from  one  to  the  other.  No  man  was  seen  to 
drink  by  himself,  nor  in  any  instance  was  more  than  one 
vessel  considered  necessary  for  the  same  beverage  ;  but 
the  glass  or  the  mug,  was  passed  from  hand  to  hand,  until 
a  chasm  in  the  line,  or  a  regard  to  the  rights  of  ownership, 
would  regularly  restore  the  dregs  of  the  potation  to  him 
who  defrayed  the  cost. 

Toasts  were  uniformly  drunk  ;  and,  occasionally,  some 
one,  who  conceived  himself  peculiarly  endowed  by  Nature 
to  shine  in  the  way  of  wit,  would  attempt  some  such  senti- 
ment as  "hoping  that  he  "  who  treated,  "might  make  a 
better  man  than  his  father  ; "  or,  "  live  till  all  his  friends 
wished  him  dead  ; "  while  the  more  humble  pot-compan- 
ion contented  himself  by  saying,  with  a  most  composing 
gravity  in  his  air,  "come,  here's  luck,"  or  by  expressing 
some  other  equally  comprehensive  desire.  In  every  in- 
stance, the  veteran  landlord  was  requested  to  imitate  the 
custom  of  the  cupbearers  to  kings,  and  taste  the  liquor  he 
•presented,  by  .the  invitation  of  "  after  you  is  manners," 
with  which  request  he  ordinarily  complied,  by  wetting  his 
lips,  first  expressing  the  wish  of  "here's  hoping,"  leaving 
it  to  the  imagination  of  the  hearers  to  fill  the  vacuum  by 
whatever  good  each  thought  most  desirable.  During  these 
movements  the  landlady  was  busily  occupied  with  mixing 
the  various  compounds  required  by  her  customers,  witl; 


THE  PIONEERS.  137 

her  own  hands,  and  occasionally  exchanging  greetings  and 
inquiries  concerning  the  conditions .  of  their  respective 
families,  with  such  of  the  villagers  as  approached  the  bar. 

At  length  the  common  thirst  being  in  some  measure  as- 
suaged, conversation  of  a  more  general  nature  became  the 
order  of  the  hour.  The  physician,  and  his  companion, 
who  was  one  of  the  two  lawyers  of  the  village,  being  con- 
sidered the  best  qualified  to  maintain  a  public  discourse 
with  credit,  were  the  principal  speakers,  though  a  remark 
was  hazarded,  now  and  then,  by  Mr.  Doolittle,  who  was 
thought  to  be  their  inferior  only  in  the  enviable  point  of 
education.  A  general  silence  was  produced  on  all  but  the 
two  speakers,  by  the  following  observation  from  the  prac- 
titioner of  the  law  : 

"  So,  Dr.  Todd,  I  understand  that  you  have  been  per- 
forming an  important  operation  this  evening  by  cutting  a 
charge  of  buckshot  from  the  shoulder  of  the  son  of  Leather- 
Stocking  ? " 

"  Yes,  sir,"  returned  the  other,  elevating  his  little  head 
with  an  air  of  importance.  "  I  had  a  small  job  up  at  the 
Judge's  in  that  way ;  it  was,  however,  but  a  trifle  to  what  it 
might  have  been,  had  it  gone  through  the  body.  The 
shoulder  is  not  a  very  vital  part ;  and  I  think  the  young 
man  will  soon  be  Well.  But  I  did  not  know  that  the  pa- 
tient was  a  son. of  Leather-Stocking;  it  is  news  to  me  to 
hear  that  Natty  had  a  wife." 

"  It  is  by  no  means  a  necessary  consequence,"  returned 
the  other,  winking,  with  a  sh,rewd  look  around  the  bar- 
room ;  "there  is  such  a  thing,  I  suppose  you  know,  in  law- 
as  a  fill 'us  nullius" 

"  Spake  it  out,  man, "exclaimed  the  landlady  ;  "  spake  it 
out  in  king's  English  ;  what  for  should  ye  be  talking  Indian 
in  a  room  full  of  Christian  folks,  though  it  is  about  a  poor 
hunter,  who  is  but  little  better  in  his  ways  than  the  wild 
savages  themselves  ?  Och  !  it's  to  be. hoped  that  the  mis- 
sionaries will,  in  his  own  time,  make  a  conversion  of  the 
poor  devils  ;  and  then  it  will  matter  little  of  what  color  is 
the  skin,  or  wedder  there  be  wool  or  hair  on  the  head." 

"  Oh  !  it  is  Latin,  not  Indian,  Miss  Hollister  ! "  returned 
the  lawyer,  repeating  his  winks  and  shrewd  looks  ;  "and 
Dr.  Todd  understands  Latin,  or  how  would  he  read  the 
labels  on  his  gallipots  and  drawers  ?  No,  no,  Miss  Hollis- 
ter, the  doctor  understands  me ;  don't  you,  doctor  ?  " 

"  Hem — why,  I  guess  I  am  not  far  out  of  the  way,"  re* 


/38  THE  PIONEERS. 

turned  Elnathan,  endeavoring  to  imitate  the  expression  of 
the  other's  countenance,  by  looking  jocular.  "  Latin  is  a 
queer  language,  gentlemen;  now  I  rather  guess  there  is 
no  one  in  the  room,  except  Squire  Lippet,  who  can  believe 
liiat  *  Far.  A v.'  means  oatmeal,  in  English." 

The  lawyer  in  his  turn  was  a  good  deal  embarrassed  by 
this  display  of  learning  ;  for,  although  he  actually  had  tak- 
en his  first  degree  at  one  of  the  eastern  universities,  he  was 
somewhat  puzzled  with  the  terms  used  by  his  companion. 
It  was  dangerous,  however,  to  appear  to  be  outdone  in 
learning  in  a  public  bar-room,  and  before  so  many  of  his 
clients  ;  he  therefore  put  the  best  face  on  the  matter,  and 
laughed  knowingly  as  if  there  were  a  good  joke  concealed 
under  it,  that  was  understood  only  by  the  physician  and 
himself.  All  this  was  attentively  observed  by  the  listeners, 
who  exchanged  looks  of  approbation  ;  and  the  expressions 
of  "tonguey  man,"  and  "  I  guess  Squire  Lippet  knows  if 
anybody  does,"  were  heard  in  different  parts  of  the  room, 
as  vouchers  for  the  admiration  of  his  auditors.  Thus  en- 
couraged, the  lawyer  rose  from  his  chair,  and  turning  his 
back  to  the  fire,  and  facing  the  company,  he  continued  : 

"  The  son  of  Natty,  or  the  son  of  nobody,  I  hope  the 
young  man  is  not  going  to  let  the  matter  drop.  This  is  a 
country  of  laws  ;  and  I  should  like  ta  see  it  fairly  tried, 
whether  a  man  who  owns,  or  says  he  owns,  a  hundred 
thousand  acres  of  land,  has  any  more  right  to  shoot  a  body 
than  another.  What  do  you  think  of  it,  Dr.  Todd  ? " 

"  Oh !  sir,  I  am  of  opinion  that  the  gentleman  will  soon 
be  well,  as  I  said  before  ;  the  wound  isn't  in  a  vital  part  ; 
and  as  the  ball  was  extracted  so  soon,  and  the  shoulder 
was  what  I  call  well  attended  to,  I  do  not  think  there  is  as 
much  danger  as  there  might  have  been." 

"  I  say,  Squire  Doolittle,"  continued  the  attorney,  rais- 
ing his  voice,  "  you  are  a  magistrate,  and  know  what  is 
law,  and  what  is  not  law.  I  ask  you,  sir,  if  shooting  a  man 
is  a  thing  that  is  to  be  settled  so  very  easily  ?  Suppose, 
sir,  that  the  young  man  had  a  wife  and  family  ;  and  sup- 
pose that  he  was  a  mechanic  like  yourself,  sir  ;  and  sup- 
pose that  his  family  depended  on  him  for  bread  ;  and  sup- 
pose that  the  ball,  instead  of  merely  going  through  the 
flesh,  had  broken  the  shoulder-blade,  and  crippled  him 
forever  ;  I  ask  you  all,  gentlemen,  supposing  this  to  be 
the  case,  whether  a  jury  wouldn't  give  what  I  call  hand- 
some damages  ? " 


THE  PIONEERS.  I3g 

As  the  close  of  this  supposititious  case  was  addressed  to 
the  company  generally,  Hiram  did  not  at  first  consider 
himself  called  on  for  a  reply  ;  but  finding  the  eyes  of  the 
listeners  bent  on  him  in  expectation,  he  remembered  his 
character  for  judicial  discrimination,  and  spoke,  observing 
a  due  degree  of  deliberation  and  dignity. 

"Why,  if  a  man  should  shoot  another,"  he  said,  "-and  if 
he  should  do  it  on  purpose,  and  if  the  law  took  notice  on't, 
and  if  a  jury  should  find  him  guilty,  it  would  be  likely  to 
turn  out  a  state-prison  matter." 

"It  would  so,  sir,"  returned  the  attorney.  "The  law, 
gentlemen,  is  no  respecter  of  persons  in  a  free  country. 
It  is  one  of  the  great  blessings  that  has  been  handed  down 
to  us  from  our  ancestors,  that  all  men  are  equal  in  the  eye 
of  the  laws,  as  they  are  by  nater.  Though  some  may  get 
property,  no  one  knows  how,  yet  they  are  not  privileged 
to  transgress  the  laws  any  more  than,  the  poorest  citizen  in 
the  State.  This  is  my  notion,  gentlemen  ;  and  I  think  that 
if  a  man  had  a  mind  to  bring  this  matter  up,  something 
might  be  made  out  of  it  that  would  help  pay  for  the  salve 
— ha  !  doctor  ! " 

"  Why,  sir,"  returned  the  physician,  who  appeared  a  lit- 
tle uneasy  at  the  turn  the  conversation  was  taking,  "  I  have 
the  promise  of  Judge  Temple  before  men — not  but  what 
I  would  take  his  word  as  soon  as  his  note  of  hand — but  it 
was  before  men.  Let  me  see — there  was  Mounshier  Ler 
Quow,  and  Squire  Jones,  and  Major  Hartmann,  and  Miss 
Pettibone,  and  one  or  two  of  the  blacks  by,  when  he  said 
that  his  pocket  would  amply  reward  me  for  what  I  did." 

"  Was  the  promise  made  before  or  after  the  service  was 
performed  ? "  asked  the  attorney. 

"  It  might  have  been  both,"  returned  the  discreet  physi- 
cian ;  "  though  I'm  certain  he  said  so  before  I  undertook 
the  dressing." 

"  But  it  seems  that  he  said  his  pocket  should  reward  you, 
doctor,"  observed  Hiram.  "Now  I  don't  know  that"  the 
law  will  hold  a  man  to  such  a  promise  ;  he  might  give  you 
his  pocket  with  sixpence  in't,  and  tell  you  to  take  your  pay 
out  on't." 

"  That  would  not  be  a  reward  in  the  eye  of  the  law," 
interrupted  the  attorney — "  not  what  is  called  a  '  quid  pro 
quo  ;  '  nor  is  the  pocket  to  be  considered  as  an  agent,  but 
as  a  part  of  a  man's  own  person,  that  is,  in  this  particular. 
I  am  of  opinion  that  an  action  would  lie  on  that  promise, 


140  THE  PIONEERS. 

and  I  will  undertake  to  bear  him  out,  free  of  costs,  if  he 
don't  recover." 

To  this  proposition  the  physician  made  no  reply  ;  but 
he  was  observed  to  cast  his  eyes  around  him,  as  if  to  enu- 
merate the  witnesses,  in  order  to  substantiate  this  promise 
also,  at  a  future  day,  should  it  prove  necessary.  A  subject 
so  momentous  as  that  of  suing  Judge  Temple  was  not  very 
palatable  to  the  present  company  in  so  public  a  place  ;  and 
a  short  silence  ensued,  that  was  only  interrupted  by  the 
opening  of  the  door,  and  the  entrance  of  Natty  himself. 

The  old  hunter  carried  in  his  hand  his  never-failing 
companion,  the  rifle  ;  and  although  all  of  the  company 
were  uncovered  excepting  the  lawyer,  who  wore  his  hat  on 
one  side,  with  a  certain  dam'me  air,  Natty  moved  to  the 
front  of  one  of  the  fires,  without  in  the  least  altering  any 
part  of  his  dress  or  appearance.  Several  questions  were 
addressed  to  him,  on  the  subject  of  the  game  he  had  killed, 
which  he  answered  readily,  and  with  some  little  interest  ; 
and  the  landlord,  between  whom  and  Natty  there  existed 
much  cordiality,  on  account  of  their  both  having  been  sol- 
diers in  youth,  offered  him  a  glass  of  a  liquid,  which  if  we 
might  judge  from  its  reception,  was  no  unwelcome  guest. 
When  the  forester  had  got  his  potation  also,  he  quietly 
took  his  sea«t  on  the  end  of  one  of  the  logs  that  lay  nigh 
the  fires,  and  the  slight  interruption  produced  by  his  en- 
trance seemed  to  be  forgotten. 

"  The  testimony  of  the  blacks  could  not  be  taken,  sir," 
continued  the  lawyer,  "  for  they  are  all  the  property  of 
Mr.  Jones,  who  owns  their  time.  But  there  is  a  way  by 
which  Judge  Temple,  or  any  other  man,  might  be  made  to 
pay  for  shooting  another,  and  for  the  cure  in  the  bargain. 
There  is  a  way,  I  say,  and  that  without  going  into  the 
'court  of  errors,'  too." 

"And  a  mighty  big  error  ye  would  make  of  it,  Mister 
Todd,"  cried  the  landlady,"  should  ye  be  putting  the  matter 
into  the  law  at  all,  with  Joodge  Temple,  who  has  a  purse 
as  long  as  one  of  them  pines  on  the  hill,  and  who  is  an  asv 
man  to  dale  wid,  if  yeeS  but  mind  the  humor  of  him.  He'r> 
a  good  man  is  Joodge  Temple,  and  a  kind  one,  and  one 
who  will  be  no  the  likelier  to  do  the  pratty  thing,  becase 
ye  wbuld  wish  to  tarrify  him  wid  the  law.  I  know  of  but 
one  objaction  to  the  same,  which  is  an  over-carelessness 
about  his  sowl.  It's  neither  a  Methodic,  nor  a  Papish,  nor 
Prasbetyrian,  that  he  is,  but  just  nothing  at  all  ;  and  it'* 


THE  PIONEERS.  141 

hard  to  think  that  he,  'who  will  not  fight  the  good  fight, 
under  the  banners  of  a  rig'lar  church,  in  this  world,  will  be 
mustered  among  the  chosen  in  heaven,'  as  my  husband,  the 
captain  there,  as  ye  call  him,  says — though  there  is  but  one 
captain  that  I  know,  who  desarves  the  name.  I  hopes, 
Lather-Stocking,  ye'll  no  be  foolish,  and  putting  the  boy  up 
to  try  the  law  in  the  matter  ;  for  '  twill  be  an  evil  day  to  ye 
both,  when  ye  first  turn  the  skin  of  so  paceable  an  animal 
as  a  sheep  into  a  bone  of  contention.  The  lad  is  wilcome 
to  his  drink  for  nothing,  until  his  shoulther  will  bear  the 
rifle  ag'in." 

"  Well  that's  gin'rous,"  was  heard  from  several  mouths 
at  once,  for  this  was  a  company  in  which  a  liberal  offer 
was  not  thrown  away  ;  while  the  hunter,  instead  of  express- 
ing any  of  that  indignation  which  he  might  be  supposed  to 
feel,  at  hearing  the  hurt  of  his  young  companion  alluded 
to,  opened  his  mouth,  with  the  silent  laugh  for  which  he 
was  so  remarkable  ;  and  after  he  had  indulged  his  humor, 
made  this  reply  : 

"  I  know'd  the  Judge  would  do  nothing  with  his  smooth- 
bore when  he  got  out  of  his  sleigh.  I  never  saw  but  one 
smooth-bore  that  would  carry  at  all,  and  that  was  a  French 
ducking-piece,  upon  the  big  lakes  ;  it  had  a  barrel  half  as 
long  ag'in  as  my  rifle,  and  would  throw  fine  shot  into  a 
goose  at  one  hundred  yards  ;  but  it  made  dreadful  work 
with  the  game,  and  you  wanted  a  boat  to  carry  it  about  in. 
When  I  went  .with  Sir  William  ag'in  the  French,  at  Fort 
Niagara,  all  the  rangers  used  the  rifle  ;  and  a  dreadful 
weapon  it  is,  in  the  hands  of  one  who  knows  how  to  charge 
it,  and  keep  a  steady  aim.  The  captain  knows,  for  he  says 
he  was  a  soldier  in  Shirley's  ;  and,  though  they  were  noth- 
ing but  baggonet-men,  he  must  know  how  we  cut  up  the 
French  and  Iroquois  in  the  skrimmages  in  that  war.  Chin- 
gachgook,  which  means  '  Big  Sarpent '  in  English,  old 
John  Mohegan,  who  lives  up  at  the  hut  with  me,  was  a 
great  warrior  then,  and  was  out  with  us  ;  he  can  tell  all 
about  it,  too  ;  though  he  was  overhand  for  the  tomahawk, 
never  firing  more  than  once  or  twice,  before  he  was  run- 
ning in  for  the  scalps.  Ah  !  times  is  dreadfully  altered 
since  then.  Why,  doctor,  there  was  nothing  but  a  foot- 
path, or  at  the  most  a  track  for  pack-horses,  along  the 
Mohawk,  from  the  Jarman  Flats  up  to  the  forts.  Now, 
they  say,  they  talk  of  running  one  of  them  wide  roads  with 
gates  on  it  along  the  river  ;  first  making  a  road,  and  ther 


142  THE  PIONEER*. 

fencing  it  up  !  I  hunted  one  season  back  of  the  Kaats- 
kills,  nigh-hand  to  the  settlements,  and  the  dogs  often  lost 
the  scent,  when  they  came  to  them  highways,  there  was 
so  much  travel  on  them  ;  though  I  can't  say  that  the  brutes 
was  of  a  very  good  breed.  Old  Hector  will  wind  a  deer, 
in  the  fall  of  the  year,  across  the  broadest  place  in  the 
Otsego,  and  that  is  a  mile  and  a  half,  for  I  paced  it  myself 
on  the  ice,  when  the  tract  was  first  surveyed,  under  the 
Indian  grant," 

"  It  sames  to  me,  Natty,  but  a  sorry  compliment,  to  call 
your  comrad  after  the  evil  one,"  said  the  landlady;  "and 
it's  no  much  like  a  snake  that  old  John  is  looking  now. 
Nimrod  would  be  a  more  besameing  name  for  the  lad,  and 
a  more  Christian,  too,  seeing  that  it  comes  from  the  Bible. 
The  sargeant  read  me  the  chapter  about  him,  the  night  be- 
fore my  christening,  and  a  mighty  asement,  it  was,  to  listen 
to  anything  from  the  book." 

"  Old  John  and  Chingachgook  were  very  different  men 
to  look  on,"  returned  the  hunter,  shaking  his  head  at  his 
melancholy  'recollections.  "  In  the  '  fifty  eighth  war  '  he 
was  in  the  middle  of  manhood,  and  taller  than  now  by 
three  inches.  If  you  had  seen  him,  as  I  did,  the  morning 
we  beat  Dieskau,  from  behind  our  log  walls,  you  would 
have  called  him  as  comely  a  red-skin  as  ye  ever  set  eyes 
on.  He  was  naked  all  to  his  breech-cloth  and  leggins  ; 
and  you  never  seed  a  creater  so  handsomely  painted.  One 
side  of  his  face  was  red,  and  the  other  black.  His  head 
was  shaved  clean,  all  to  a  few  hairs  on  the  crown,  where 
he  wore  a  tuft  of  eagle's  feathers,  as  bright  as  if  they  had 
come  from  a  peacock's  tail.  He  had  colored  his  sides  so 
that  they  looked  like  an  atomy,  ribs  and  all ;  for  Chingach- 
gook had  a  great  taste  in  such  things  ;  so  that,  what  with 
his  bold,  fiery  countenance,  his  knife,  and  his  tomahawk. 
I  have  never  seen  a  fiercer  warrior  on  the  ground.  He 
played  his  part,  too,  like  a  man  ;  for  I  saw  him,  next  day> 
with  thirteen  scalps  on  his  pole.  And  I  will  say  this  for 
the  '  Big  Snake,'  that  he  always  dealt  fair,  and  never  scalped 
any  that  he  didn't  kill  with  his  own  hands." 

"Well,  well,"  cried  the  landlady  ;  "fighting  is  fighting 
anyway,  and  there  is  different  fashions  in  the  thing  ;  though 
I  can't  say  that  I  relish  mangling  a  body  after  the  breath 
is  out  of  it ;  neither  do  I  think  it  can  be  uphild  by  doctrine. 
I  hope,  sargeant,  ye  niver  was  helping  in  sich  evil  worrek. " 

"  It  was  my  duty  to  keep  my  ranks,  and  to  stand  or  fal' 


THE  PIONEERS.  143 

by  the  baggonet  or  lead,"  returned  the  veteran.  rt  I  was 
then  in  the  fort,  and  seldom  leaving  my  place,  saw  but 
little  of  the  savages,  who  kept  on  the  flanks  or  in  front, 
skrimmaging.  I  remember,  howsomever,  to  have  heard 
mention  made  of  the  'Great  Snake,'  as  he  was  called,  for 
he  was  a  chief  of  renown  ;  but  little  did  I  ever  expect  to 
see  him  enlisted  in  the  cause  of  Christianity,  and  civilized 
like  old  John." 

"  Oh  !  he  was  Christianized  by  the  Moravians,  who  were 
always  over-intimate  with  the  Delawares,"  said  Leather- 
Stocking.  "  It's  my  opinion  that,  had  they  been  left  to 
themselves,  there  would  be  no  such  doings  now,  about  the 
head-waters  of  the  two  rivers,  and  that  these  hills  mought 
have  been  kept  as  good  hunting-ground  by  their  right 
owner,  who  is  not  too  old  to  carry  a  rifle,  and  whose  sight 
is  as  true  as  a  fish-hawk  hovering— 

He  was  interrupted  by  more  stamping  at  the  door,  and 
presently  the  party  from  the  mansion-house  entered,  fol- 
lowed by  the  Indian  himself. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

"  There's  quart-pot,  pint-pot,  half -pint, 
Gill-pot,  half-gill,  nipperkin, 

And  the  brown  bowl — 
Here's  a  health  to  the  barley  mow, 

My  brave  boys, 
Here's  a  health  to  the  barley  mow." — DRINKING  SONG. 

SOME  little  commotion  was  produced  by  the  appearance 
of  the  new  guests,  during  which  the  lawyer  slunk  from 
the  room.  Most  of  the  men  approached  Marmaduke,  and 
shook  his  offered  hand,  hoping  **  that  the  Judge  was  well ;" 
while  Major  Hartmann,  having  laid  aside  his  hat  and  wig, 
and  substituted  for  the  latter  a  warm,  peaked,  woollen 
nightcap,  took  his  seat  very  quietly  on  one  end  of  the 
settee,  which  was  relinquished  by  its  former  occupant. 
His  tobacco-box  was  next  produced,  and  a  clean  pipe  was 
handed  him  by  the  landlord.  When  he  had  succeeded  in 
raising  a  smoke,  the  major  gave  a  long  whiff,  and,  turning 
his  head  toward  the  bar,  he  said  : 

"  Petty,  pring  in  ter  toddy." 

In  the  meantime  the  Judge  had  exchanged  his  saluta- 


144  THE  PIONEERS. 

tions  with  most  of  the  company,  and  taken  a  place  by  the 
side  of  the  major,  and  Richard  had  bustled  himself  into 
the  most  comiortable  seat  in  the  room.  Mr.  Le  Quoi  was 
the  last  seated,  nor  did  he  venture  to  place  his  chair  finally, 
until  by  frequent  removals  he  had  ascertained  that  he 
could  not  possibly  intercept  a  ray  of  heat  from  any  indi- 
vidual present.  Mohegan  found  a  place  on  an  end  of  one 
of  the  benches,  and  somewhat  approximated  to  the  bar. 
When  these  movements  had  subsided,  the  Judge  remarked 
pleasantly  : 

"Well,  Betty,  I  find  you  retain  your  popularity  through 
all  weathers,  against  all  rivals,  and  among  all  religions. 
How  liked  you  the  sermon  ?" 

"  Is  it  the  sarmon  ?  "  exclaimed  the  landlady.  "  I  can't 
say  but  it  was  rasonable  ;  but  the  prayers  is  mighty  unasy. 
It's  no  small  a  matter  for  a  body  in  their  fifty-nint'  year  to 
be  moving  so  much  in  church.  Mr.  Grant  sames  a  godly 
man,  any  way,  and  his  garrel  a  hommble  one,  and  a  de- 
vout. Here,  John,  is  a  mug  of  cider,  laced  with  whiskey. 
An  Indian  will  drink  cider,  though  he  niver  be  athirst." 

"  I  must  say,"  observed  Hiram,  with  due  deliberation, 
"  that  it  was  a  tonguey  thing ;  and  I  rather  guess  that 
it  gave  considerable  satisfaction.  There  was  one  part, 
though,  which  might  have  been  left  out,  or  something 
else  put  in  ;  but  then  I  s'pose  that,  as  it  was  a  written  dis- 
course, it  is  not  so  easily  altered  as  where  a  minister 
preaches  without  notes." 

"Ay!  there's  the  rub  Joodge,"  cried  the  landlady. 
"  How  can  a  man  stand  up  and  be  preaching  his  word, 
when  all  that  he  is  saying  is  written  down,  and  he  is  as 
much  tied  to  it  as  iver  a  thaving  dragoon  was  to  the 
pickets  ?" 

"Well,  well,"  cried  Marmaduke,  waving  his  hand  for 
silence,  "  there  is  enough  said  ;  as  Mr.  Grant  told  us, 
there  are  different  sentiments  on  such  subjects,  and  in  my 
opinion  he  spoke  most  sensibly.  So,  Jotham,  I  am  told  you 
have  sold  your  betterments  to  a  new  settler,  and  have 
moved  into  the  village  and  opened  a  school.  Was  it  cash 
or  dicker  ? " 

The  man  who  was  thus  addressed  occupied  a  seat  im- 
mediately behind  Marmaduke,  and  one  who  was  ignorant 
of  the  extent  of  the  Judge's  observation  might  have  thought 
he  would  have  escaped  notice.  He  was  of  a  thin,  shapeless 
figure,  with  a  discontented  expression  of  countenance  and 


THE  PIONEERS.  145 

with  something  extremely  shiftless  in  his  whole  air.  Thus 
spoken  to,  after  turning  and  twisting  a  little,  by  way  of 
preparation,  he  made  a  reply. 

•'  Why,  part  cash  and  part  dicker.  I  sold  out  to  a  Pum- 
fretman  who  was  so'thin  forehanded.  He  was  to  give  me 
ten  dollars  an  acre  for  the  clearin',  and  one  dollar  an  acre 
over  the  first  cost  on  the  woodland,  and  we  agreed  to  leave 
the  buildin'sto  men.  So  I  tuck  Asa  Montagu,  and  he  tuck 
Absalom  Bement,  and  they  two  tuck  old  Squire  Napthali 
Green.  And  so  they  had  a  meetin',  and  made  out  a  vardict 
of  eighty  dollars  for  the  buildin's.  There  was  twelve  acres 
of  clearin'  at  ten  dollars,  and  eighty-eight  at  one,  and  the 
whull  came  to  two  hundred  and  eighty-six  dollars  and  a 
half,  after  paying  the  men." 

"  Hum,"  said  Marmadtike,  "  what  did  you  give  for  the 
place  ? " 

"  Why,  besides  what's  comin'  to  the  Judge,  I  gi'n  my 
brother  Tim  a  hundred  dollars  for  his  bargain  ;  but  then 
there's  a  new  house  on't,  that  cost  me  sixty  more,  and  I 
paid  Moses  a  hundred  dollars  for  choppin',  and  loggin', 
and  sowin',  so  that  the  whole  stood  to  me  in  about  two 
hundred  and  sixty  dollars.  But  then  I  had  a  great  crop 
off  on't,  and  as  I  got  twenty-six  dollars  and  a  half  more 
than  it  cost,  I  conclude  I  made  a  pretty  good  trade  on't." 

"Yes,  but  you  forgot  that  the  crop  was  yours  without 
the  trade,  and  you  have  turned  yourself  out  of  doors  for 
twenty-six  dollars." 

"  Oh  !  the  Judge  is  clean  out,"  said  the  man  with  a  look 
of  sagacious  calculation  ;  "  he  turned  out  a  span  of  horses, 
that  is  wuth  a  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  of  any  man's  money, 
with  a  bran  new  wagon  ;  fifty  dollars  in  cash,  and  a  good 
note  for  eighty  more  ;  and  a  side-saddle  that  was  valued  at 
seven  and  a  half — so  there  was  jist  twelve  shilli-ngs  betwixt 
us.  I  wanted  him  to  turn  out  a  set  of  harness,  and  take 
the  cow  and  the  sap  troughs.  He  wouldn't — but  I  saw 
through  it ;  he  thought  I  should  have  to  buy  the  tacklin' 
afore  I  could  use  the  wagon  and  horses  ;  but  I  know'd  a 
thing  or  two  myself  ;  I  should  like  to  know  of  what  use  is 
the  tacklin'  to  him  !  I  offered  him  to  trade  back  ag'in  for 
one  hundred  and  fifty-five.  But  my  woman  said  she  wanted 
to  churn,  so  I  tuck  a  churn  for  the  change." 

"  And  what  do  you  mean  to  do  with  your  time  this  win- 
ter ?  you  must  remember  that  time  is  money." 

"Why,  as  master  has  gone  down  country,  to  see  his 
10 


146  THE  PIONEERS. 

mother,  who,  they  say,  is  going  to  make  a  die  on't,  1 
agreed  to  take  the  school  in  hand  till  he  comes  back.  li 
times  doesn't  get  worse  in  the  spring,  I've  some  notion  of 
going  into  trade,  or  maybe  I  may  move  off  to  the  Genesee  ; 
they  say  they  are  carryin'  on  a  great  stroke  of  business 
that-a-way.  If  the  wust  comes  to  the  wust,  I  can  but  work 
at  my  trade,  for  I  was  brought  up  in  a  shoe  manufactory." 

It  would  seem  that  Marmaduke  did  not  think  his  so- 
ciety of  sufficient  value  to  attempt  inducing  him  to  remain 
where  he  was  ;  for  he  addressed  no  further  discourse  to 
the  man,  but  turned  his  attention  to  other  subjects.  After 
a  short  pause,  Hiram  ventured  a  question  : 

"  What  news  does  the  Judge  bring  us  from  the  Legisla- 
ture ?  it's  not  likely  that  Congress  has  done  much  this 
session  ;  or  maybe  the  French  haven't  fit  any  more  bat- 
tles lately  ? " 

"  The  French,  since  they  have  beheaded  their  king,  have 
done  nothing  but  fight,"  returned  the  Judge.  "  The  char- 
acter of  the  nation  seems  changed.  I  knew  many  French 
gentlemen,  during  our  war,  and  they  all  appeared  to  me 
to  be  men  of  great  humanity  and  goodness  of  heart ;  but 
these  Jacobins  are  as  bloodthirsty  as  bull-dogs." 

"  There  was  one  Roshambow  wid  us,  down  at  Yorrek- 
town,"  cried  the  landlady  ;  "  a  mighty  pratty  man  he  was, 
too  ;  and  their  horse  was  the  very  same.  Itwas  there  that 
the  sargeant  got  the  hurt  in  the  leg,  from  the  English  bat- 
teries, bad  luck  to  'em." 

"  Ah  !  mon  pauvre  roi !  "   muttered  Monsieur  Le  Quoi. 

"The  Legislature  have  been  passing  laws,"  continued 
Marmaduke,  "  that  the  country  much  required.  Among 
others,  there  is  an  act  prohibiting  the  drawing  of  seines, 
at  any  other  than  proper  seasons,  in  certain  of  our  streams 
and  small  lakes  ;  and  another,  to  prohibit  the  killing  of 
deer  in  the  teeming  months.  These  are  laws  that  were 
loudly  called  for,  by  judicious  men  ;  nor  do  I  despair  of 
getting  an  act  to  make  the  unlawful  felling  of  timber  a  crim- 
inal offence." 

The  hunter  listened  to  this  detail  with  breathless  atten- 
tion, and,  when  the  Judge  had  ended,  he  laughed  in  open 
derision. 

"  You  may  make  your  laws,  Judge,"  he  cried,  "  but  who 
will  you  find  to  watch  the  mountains  through  the  long 
summer  days,  or  the  lakes  at  night  ?  Game  is  game,  and 
he  who  finds  may  kill ;  that  has  been  the  law  in  these  incur* 


THE  PIONEERS.  145 

tains  for  forty  years  to  my  sartain  knowledge  ;  and  I  think 
one  old  law  is  worth  two  new  ones.  None  but  a  green  one 
would  wish  to  kill  a  doe  with  a  fa'n  by  its  side,  unless  his 
moccasins  were  getting  old,  or  his  leggins  ragged,  for  the 
flesh  is  lean  and  coarse.  But  a  rifle  rings  among  the  rocks 
along  the  lake  shore,  sometimes,  as  if  fifty  pieces  were 
fired  at  once — it  would  be  hard  to  tell  where  the  man  stood 
who  pulled  the  trigger." 

"Armed  with  the  dignity  of  the  law,  Mr.  Bumppo,"  re- 
turned the  Judge,  gravely,  "a  vigilant  magistrate  can 
prevent  much  of  the  evil  that  has  hitherto  prevailed,  and 
which  is  already  rendering  the  game  scarce.  I  hope  to 
live  to  see  the  day  when  a  man's  rights  in  his  game  shall 
be  as  much  respected  as  his  title  to  his  farm." 

"  Your  titles  and  your  farms  are  all  new  together,"  cried 
Natty  ;  "  but  laws  should  be  equal,  and  not  more  for  one 
than  another.  I  shot  a  deer,  last  Wednesday  was  a  fort- 
night, and  it  floundered  through  the  snowbanks  till  it  got 
over  a  brush  fence  ;  I  catch'd  the  lock  of  my  rifle  in  the 
twigs  in  following,  and  was  kept  back,  until  finally  the 
creature  got  off.  Now  I  want  to  know  who  is  to  pay  me 
for  that  deer  ;  and  a  fine  buck  it  was.  If  there  hadn't  been 
a  fence  I  should  have  gotten  another  shot  into  it ;  and  I 
never  draw'd  upon  anything  that  hadn't  wings  three  times 
running,  in  my  born  days.  No,  no,  Judge,  it's  the  farmers 
that  makes  the  game  scarce,  and  not  the  hunters." 

"Ter  teer  is  not  so  plenty  as  in  ter  old  war,  Pumppo," 
said  the  major,  who  had  been  an  attentive  listener,  amid 
clouds  of  smoke  ;  "  put  ter  lant  is  not  mate  as  for  ter  teer 
to  live  on,  put  for  Christians." 

"  Why,  major,  I  believe  you're  a  friend  to  justice  and 
the  right,  though  you  go  so  often  to  the  grand  house  ;  but 
it's  a  hard  case  to  a  man  to  have  his  honest  calling  for  a 
livelihood  stopped  by  laws,  and  that,  too,  when,  if  right 
was  done,  he  mought  hunt  or  fish  on  any  day  in  the  week, 
or  on  the  best  flat  in  the  Patent,  if  he  was  so  minded." 

"I  unterstant  you,  Letter-Stockint,"  returned  the  major, 
fixing  his  black  eyes,  with  a  look  of  peculiar  meaning,  on 
the  hunter  ;  "  put  you  didn't  use  to  be  so  prutent  as  to 
look  ahet  mit  so  much  care." 

"  Maybe  there  wasn't  so  much  occasion,"  said  the  hunter, 
a  little  sulkily  ;  when  he  sunk  into  a  silence  from  which 
he  was  not  roused  for  some  time. 

'*  The  Judge  was  saying  so'thin  about  the  French,"  Hiram 


H8  THE  PIONEERS. 

observed  when  the  pause  in  the  conversation  had  continued 
a  decent  time. 

"  Yes,  sir,"  returned  Marmaduke,"  the  Jacobins  of  France 
seem  rushing  from  one  act  of  licentiousness  to  another. 
They  continue  those  murders  which  are  dignified  by  the 
name  of  executions.  You  have  heard  that  they  have  added 
the  death  of  their  Queen  to  the  long  list  of  their  crimes." 

"  Les  monstres  !  "  again  murmured  Monsieur  Le  Quoi, 
turning  himself  suddenly  in  his  chair,  with  a  convulsive 
start. 

"The  province  of  La  Vendee  is  laid  waste  by  the  troops 
of  the  republic,  and  hundreds  of  its  inhabitants,  who  are  roy- 
alists in  their  sentiments,  are  shot  at  a  time.  La  Vendee 
is  a  district  in  the  southwest  of  France,  that  continues  yet 
much  attached  to  the  family  of  the  Bourbons  ;  doubtless 
Monsieur  Le  Quoi  is  acquainted  with  it,  and  can  describe 
it  more  faithfully." 

"Non,  non,  non,  mon  cher  ami,"  returned  the  French- 
man in  a  suppressed  voice,  but  speaking  rapidly,  and 
gesticulating  with  his  right  hand,  as  if  for  mercy,  while 
with  his  left  he  concealed  his  eyes. 

"There  have  been  many  battles  fought  lately,"  con- 
tinued Marmaduke,  "and  the  infuriated  republicans  are 
too  often  victorious.  I  cannot  say,  however,  that  I  am 
sorry  that  they  have  captured  Toulon  from  the  English, 
for  it  is  a  place  to  which  they  have  a  just  right." 

"Ah — ha!  "  exclaimed  Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  springing  on 
his  feet,  and  flourishing  both  arms  with  great  animation  ; 
"  ces  Anglais  !  " 

The  Frenchman  continued  to  move  .about  the  room 
with  great  alacrity  for  a  few  minutes,  repeating  his  ex- 
clamations to  himself  ;  when  overcome  by  the  contrary 
nature  of  his  emotions,  he  suddenly  burst  out  of  the  house, 
and  was  seen  wading  through  the  snow  toward  his  little 
shop,  waving  his  arms  on  high,  .as  if  to  pluck  down  honor 
from  the  moon.  His  departure  excited  but  little  surprise, 
for  the  villagers  were  used  to  his  manner  ;  but  Major 
Hartmann  laughed  outright,  for  the  first  during  his  visit, 
as  he  lifted  the  mug,  and  observed  : 

"  Ter  Frenchman  is  mat — put  he  is  goot  as  for  noting 
to  trink  :  he  is  trunk  mit  joy." 

"  The  French  are  good  soldiers,"  said  Captain  Hollister  , 
"  they  stood  us  in  hand  a  good  turn  at  Yorktown  ;  nor  do 
I  think,  although  I  am  an  ignorant  man  about  the  great 


THE  PIONEERS.  149 

movements  of  the  army,  that  his  excellency  would  have 
been  iv'ule  to  march  against  Cornwallis,  without  their  re- 
enforcements." 

"Ye  spake  the  trut',  sargent,"  interrupted  his  wife,  "and 
I  would  iver  have  ye  be  doing  the  same.  It's  varry  pratty 
men  is  the  French  ;  and  jist  when  I  stopt  the  cart,  the 
time  when  ye  was  pushing  on  in  front  it  was,  to  kape  the 
rig'lers  in,  a  rigiment  of  the  jontlemen  marched  by,  and  so 
I  dealt  them  out  to  their  liking.  Was  it  pay  I  got  ?  sure 
did  I,  and  in  good  solid  crowns  ;  the  divil  a  bit  of  con- 
tinental could  they  muster  among  them  all,  for  love  nor 
money.  Och  !  the  Lord  forgive  me  for  swearing  and 
spakeing  of  such  vanities  :  but  this  I  will  say  for  the  French, 
that  they  paid  in  good  silver ;  and  one  glass  would  go  a 
great  way  wid  'em,  for  they  gin'rally  handed  it  back  wid  a 
(drop  in  the  cup  ;  and  that's  a  brisk  trade,  Joodge,  where 
the  pay  is  good,  and  the  men  not  over-partic'lar." 

"  A  thriving  trade,  Mrs.  Hollister,"  said  Marmaduke. 
"  But  what  has  become  of  Richard  ?  he  jumped  up  as 
soon  as  seated,  and  has  been  absent  so  long  that  I  am 
really  fearful  he  has  frozen." 

"No  fear  of  that,  cousin  'duke,"  cried  the  gentleman 
himself  ;  "  business  will  sometimes  keep  a  man  warm  the 
coldest  night  that  ever  snapt  in  the  mountains.  Betty, 
your  husband  told  me,  as  we  came  out  of  church,  that 
your  hogs  were  getting  mangy,  and  so  I  have  been  out  to 
take  a  look  at  them,  and  found  it  true.  I  stepped  across, 
doctor,  and  got  your  boy  to  weigh  me  out  a  pound  of  salts, 
and  have  been  mixing  it  with  their  swill.  I'll  bet  a  saddle 
of  venison  against  a  gray  squirrel,  that  they  are  better  in  a 
week.  And  now,  Mrs.  Hollister,  I'm  ready  for  a  hissing 
mug  of  flip." 

"  Sure  I  know'd  yee'd  be  wanting  that  same,"  said  the 
landlady  ;  "  it's  mixt  and  ready  to  the  boiling.  Sargeant, 
dear,  be  handing  up  the  iron,  will  ye  ? — no,  the  one  on 
the  far  fire,  it's  black,  ye  will  see.  Ah  !  you've  the  thing 
now  ;  look  if  it's  not  as  red  as  a  cherry." 

The  beverage  was  heate'd,  and  Richard  took  that  kind 
of  draught  which  men  are  apt  to  indulge  in,  who  think 
that  they  have  just  executed  a  clever  thing,  especially 
when  they  like  the  liquor. 

"Oh  !  you  have  a  hand,  Betty,  that  was  formed  to  mix 
flip,"  cried  Richard,  when  he  paused  for  breath.  "The 
very  iron  has  a  flavor  in  it.  Here,  John,  drink,  man,  drink 


150  THE  PIONEERS. 

I  and  you  .and  Dr.  Todd,  have  done  a  good  thing  with  the 
shoulder  of  that  lad  this  very  night.  'Duke,  I  made  a  song 
while  you  were  gone — one  day  when  I  had  nothing  to  do ; 
so  I'll  sing  you  averse  or  two,  though  I  haven't  really  de- 
termined on  the  tune  yet. 

'  What  is  life  but  a  scene  of  care, 

Where  each  one  must  toil  in  his  way? 
Then  let  us  be  jolly,  and  prove  that  we  are 
A  set  of  good  fellows,  who  seem  very  rare, 
And  can  laugh  and  sing  all  the  day. 
Then  let  us  be  jolly, 
And  cast  away  folly, 
For  grief  turns  a  black  head  to  gray.' 

— There,  'duke,  what  do  think  of  that  ?  There  is  another 
verse  of  it,  all  but  the  last  line.  I  haven't  got  a  rhyme  for, 
the  last  line  yet.  Well,  old  John,  what  do  you  think  of  the 
music  ?  as  good  as  one  of  your  war-songs,  ha  ?  " 

"  Good  !  "  said  Mohegan,  who  had  been  sharing  deeply 
in  the  potations  of  the  landlady,  besides  paying  a  proper 
respect  to  the  passing  mugs  of  the  major  and  Marmaduke. 

"  Pravo  !  pravo  !  Richart,"  cried  the  major,  whose  black 
eyes  were  beginning  to  swim  in  moisture  ;  "  pravisimo  ! 
It  is  a  goot  song  ;  put  Natty  Pumppo  has  a  petter.  Let- 
ter-Stockint,  vilt  sing  ?  say,  olt  poy,  vilt  sing  ter  song  as 
apout  ter  woots  ?  " 

*'  No,  no,  major,"  returned  the  hunter,  with  a  melan- 
choly shake  of  the  head,  "I  have  lived  to  see  what  I 
thought  eyes  could  never  behold  in  these  hills,  and  I  have 
no  heart  left  for  singing.  If  he,  that  has  a  right  to  be 
master  and  ruler  here,  is  forced  to  squinch  his  thirst,  when 
a-dry,  with  snow-water,  it  ill  becomes  them  that  have  lived 
by  his  bounty  to  be  making  merry,  as  if  there  was  nothing 
in  the  world  but  sunshine  and  summer." 

When  he  had  spoken,  Leather-Stocking  again  dropped 
his  head  on  his  knees,  and  concealed  his  hard  and  wrinkled 
features  with  his  hands.  The  change  from  the  excessive 
cold  without  to  the  heat  of  the'bar-room,  coupled  with  the 
depth  and  frequency  of  Richard's  draughts,  had  already 
levelled  whatever  inequality  there  might  have  existed  be- 
tween him  and  the  other  guests,  on  the  score  of  spirits  \ 
and  he  now  held  out  a  pair  of  swimming  mugs  of  foaming 
flip  toward  the  hunter,  as  he  cried  : 

"  Merry  !  ay  !  merry  Christmas  to  you,  old  boy !     Sun* 


THE  PIONEERS.  151 

shine  and  summer  !  no  !  you  are  blind,  Leather-Stocking, 
'tis  moonshine  and  winter — take  these  spectacles,  and  open 
your  eyes — 

'  So  let  us  be  jolly, 
And  cast  away  folly, 
For  grief  turns  a  black  head  to  gray.' 

— Hear  how  old  John  turns  his  quavers.  What  damned 
dull  music  an  Indian  song  is,  after  all,  major!  I  wonder 
if  they  ever  sing  by  note." 

While  Richard  was  singing  and  talking,  Mohegan  was 
uttering  dull,  monotonous  tones,  keeping  time  by  a  gentle 
motion  of  his  head  and  body.  He  made  use  of  but  few 
words,  and  such  as  he  did  utter  were  in  his  native  language, 
and  consequently  only  understood  by  himself  and  Natty. 
Without  heeding  Richard,  he  continued  to  sing  a  kind  of 
wild,  melancholy  air,  that  rose,  at  times,  in  sudden  and 
quite  elevated  notes,  and  then  fell  again  into  the  low 
quavering  sounds  that  seemed  to  compose  the  character  of 
his  music. 

The  attention  of  the  company  was  now  much  divided, 
the  men  in  the  rear  having  formed  themselves  into  little 
groups,  where  they  were  discussing  various  matters; 
among  the  principal  of  which  were,  the  treatment  of  mangy 
hogs,  and  Parson  Grant's  preaching ;  while  Dr.  Todd  was 
endeavoring  to  explain  to  Marmaduke  the  nature  of  the 
hurt  received  by  the  young  hunter.  Mohegan  continued 
to  sing,  while  his  countenance  was  becoming  vacant,  though, 
coupled  with  his  thick,  bushy  hair,  it  was  assuming  an  ex- 
pression very  much  like  brutal  ferocity.  His  notes  were 
gradually  growing  louder,  and  soon  rose  to  a  height  that 
caused  a  general  cessation  in  the  discourse.  The  hunter 
now  raised  his  head  again,  and  addressed  the  old  warrior, 
warmly,  in  the  Delaware  language,  which,  for  the  benefit 
of  our  readers,  we  shall  render  freely  into  English. 

"  Why  do  you  sing  of  your  battles,  Chingachgook,  and 
of  the  warriors  you  have  slain,  when  the  worst  enemy  of 
all  is  near  you,  and  keeps  the  Young  Eagle  from  his  rights  ? 
I  have  fought  in  as  many  battles  as  any  warrior  in  your 
tribe,  but  cannot  boast  of  my  deeds  at  such  a  time  as  this." 

"  Hawk-eye,"  said  the  Indian,  tottering  with  a  doubtful 
step  from  his  place,  "  I  am  the  Great  Snake  of  the  Dela- 
wares  ;  I  can  track  the  Mingoes  like  an  adder  that  is  steal- 
ing on  the  whip-poor-will's  eggs,  and  strike  them  like  the 


152  THE  PIONEERS. 

rattlesnake,  dead  at  a  blow.  The  white  man  made  the 
tomahawk  of  Chingachgook  bright  as  the  waters  of  Otsego, 
when  the  last  sun  is  shining  ;  but  it  is  red  with  the  blood 
of  the  Maquas." 

"And  why  have  you  slain  the  Mingo  warriors  ?  Was  it 
not  to  keep  these  hunting-grounds  and  lakes  to  your 
father's  children  ?  and  were  they  not  given  in  solemn  coun- 
cil to  the  Fire-eater  ?  and  does  not  the  blood  of  a  warrior 
run  in  the  veins  of  a  young  chief,  who  should  speak  aloud, 
where  his  voice  is  now  too  low  to  be  heard  ? " 

The  appeal  of  the  hunter  seemed  in  some  measure  to 
recall  the  confused  faculties  of  the  Indian,  who  turned  his 
face  toward  the  listeners  and  gazed  intently  on  the  Judge. 
He  shook  his  head,  throwing  his  hair  back  from  his  coun- 
tenance, and  exposed  eyes  that  were  glaring  with  an  ex- 
pression of  wild  resentment.  But  the  man  was  not  him- 
self. His  hand  seemed  to  make  a  fruitless  effort  to  release 
his  tomahawk,  which  was  confined  by  its  handle  to  his 
belt,  while  his  eyes  gradually  became  vacant.  Richard  at 
that  instant  thrusting  a  mug  before  him,  his  features 
changed  to  the  grin  of  idiocy,  and  seizing  the  vessel  with 
both  hands,  he  sank  backward  on  the  bench  and  drank 
Lhitil  satiated,  when  he  made  an  effort  to  lay  aside  the  mug 
with  the  helplessness  of  total  inebriety. 

"  Shed  not  blood  !"  exclaimed  the  hunter,  as  he  watched 
the  countenance  of  the  Indian  in  its  moment  of  ferocity  ; 
"  but  he  is  drunk  and  can  do  no  harm.  This  is  the  way 
with  all  the  savages  ;  give  them  liquor,  and  they  make 
dogs  of  themselves.  Well,  well— the  day  will  come  when 
right  will  be  done  ;  and  we  must  have  patience." 

Natty  still  spoke  in  the  Delaware  language,  and  of 
course  was  not  understood.  He  had  hardly  concluded 
before  Richard  cried  : 

"  Well,  old  John  is  soon  sewed  up.  Give  him  a  berth, 
captain,  in  the  barn,  and  I  will  pay  for  it.  I  am.  rich  to- 
night, ten  times  richer  than  'duke,  with  all  his  lands,  and 
military  lots,  and  funded  debts,  and  bonds,  and  mortgages 

'  Come,  let  us  be  jolly, 
And  cast  away  folly, 
For  grief ' 

Drink,  King  Hiram — drink,  Mr.  Doo-nothing— drink,  sir, 
I  say.  This  is  a  Christmas  eve,  which  comes,  you  know 
but  once  a  year." 


THE  PIONEERS.  153 

"  He !  he  !  he  !  the  squire  is  quite  moosical  to-night," 
said  Hiram,  whose  visage  began  to  give  marvellous  signs 
of  relaxation.  "  I  rather  guess  we  shall  make  a  church 
on't  yet,  squire  ?" 

"  A  church,  Mr.  Doolittle  !  we  will  make  a  cathedral  ot 
it  !  bishops,  priests,  deacons,  wardens,  vestry,  and  choir  • 
organ,  organist,  and  bellows  i  By  the  Lord  Harry,  as 
Benjamin  says,  we  will  clap  a  steeple  on  the  other  end  of 
it,  and  make  two  churches  of  it.  What  say  you,  'duke, 
will  you  pay  ?  ha  !  my  cousin  Judge,  wilt  pay  ?  " 

"  Thou  makest  such  a  noise,  Dickon,"  returned  Marma- 
duke,  "it  is  impossible  that  I  can  hear  what  Dr.  Todd  is 
saying.  I  think  thou  observedst,  it  is  probable  the  wound 
will  fester,  so  as  to  occasion  danger  to  the  limb  in  this 
cold  weather  ? " 

"  Out  of  nater,  sir,  quite  out  of  nater,"  said  Elnathan, 
attempting  to  expectorate,  but  succeeding  only  in  throw- 
ing a  light,  frothy  substance,  like  a  flake  of  snow,  into  the 
fire— "quite  out  of'  nater  that  a  wound  so  well  dressed, 
and  with  the  ball  in  my  poclret,  should  fester.  I  s'pose, 
as  the  Judge  talks  of  taking  the  young  man  into  his  house, 
it  will  be  most  convenient  if  I  make  but  one  charge  on't." 

"I  should  think  one  would  do,"  returned  Marmaduke, 
with  that  arch  smile  that  so  often  beamed  on  his  face  ; 
leaving  the  beholder  in  doubt  whether  he  most  enjoyed 
the  character  of  his  companion  or  his  own  covert  humor. 
The  landlord  had  succeeded  in  placing  the  Indian  on  some 
straw  in  one  of  his  out-buildings,  where,  covered  with  his 
own  blanket,  John  continued  for  the  remainder  of  the 
night. 

In  the  meantime,  Major  Hartmann  began  to  grow  noisy 
and  jocular  ;  glass  succeeded  glass,  and  mug  after  mug 
was  introduced,  until  the  carousal  had  run  deep  into  the 
night,  or  rather  morning  ;  when  the  veteran  German  ex- 
pressed an  inclination  to  return  to  the  mansion-house. 
Most  of  the  party  had  already  retired,  but  Marmaduke 
knew  the  habits  of  his  friend  too  well  to  suggest  an  earlier 
adjournment.  So  soon,  however,  as  the  proposal  was  made, 
the  Judge  eagerly  availed  himself  of  it,  and  the  trio  pre- 
pared to  depart.  Mrs.  Hollister  attended  them  to  the  door 
in  person,  cautioning  her  guests  as  to  the  safest  manner  of 
leaving  her  premises. 

"  Lane  on  Mister  Jones,  major,"  said  she  ;  "  he's  young, 
and  will  be  a  support  to  ye.  Well,  it's  a  charming  sight 


154  THE  PIONEERS. 

to  see  ye,  anyway,  at  the  Bould  Dragoon  ;  and  sure  it's  no 
harm  to  be  kaping  a  Christmas  eve  wid  a  light  heart,  foi 
it's  no  telling  when  we  may  have  sorrow  come  upon  us, 
So  good-night,  Joodge,  and  a  merry  Christmas  to  ye  all, 
to-morrow-morning." 

The  gentlemen  made  their  adieus  as  well  as  they  could, 
and,  taking  the  middle  of  the  road,  which  was  a  fine,  wide, 
and  well-beaten  path,  they  did  tolerably  well  until  they 
reached  the  gate  of  the  mansion-house  :  but,  on  entering 
the  Judge's  domains,  they  encountered  some  slight  difficul- 
ties. We  shall  not  stop  to  relate  them,  but  will  just  men- 
tion that,  in  the  morning,  sundry  diverging  paths  were  to 
be  seen  in  the  snow  ;  and  that  once,  during  their  progress 
to  the  door,  Marmaduke,  missing  his  companions,  was  en- 
abled to  trace  them,  by  one  of  these  paths,  to  a  spot  where 
he  discovered  them  with  nothing  visible  but  their  heads, 
Richard  singing  in  a  most  vivacious  strain  : 

"  Come,  let  us  be  jolly, 
And  cast  away  folly, 
For  grief  turns  a  black  head  to  gray." 


CHAPTER   XV. 
"As  she  lay,  on  that  day,  in  the  Bay  of  Biscay,  O  I" 

PREVIOUSLY  to  the  occurrence  of  the  scene  at  the  "  Bold 
Dragoon,"  Elizabeth  had  been  safely  reconducted  to  the 
mansion-house,  where  she  was  left  as  its  mistress,  either  to 
amuse  or  employ  herself  during  the  evening,  as  best  suit- 
ed her  own  inclinations.  Most  of  the  lights  were  extin- 
guished ;  but  as  Benjamin  adjusted  with  great  care  and 
regularity  four  large  candles,  in  as  many  massive  candle- 
sticks of  brass,  in  a  row  on  the  sideboard,  the  hall  possessed 
a  peculiar  air  of  comfort  and  warmth,  contrasted  with  the 
cheerless  aspect  of  the  room  she  had  left  in  the  academy. 

Remarkable  had  been  one  of  the  listeners  to  Mr.  Grant, 
and  returned  with  her  resentment,  which  had  been  not  a 
little  excited  by  the  language  of  the  Judge,  somewhat 
softened  by  reflection  and  the  worship.  She  recollected 
the  youth  of  Elizabeth,  and  thought  it  no  difficult  task, 
under  present  appearances,  to  exercise  that  power  indirect- 


THE  PIONEERS.  155 

ly  which  hitherto  she  had  enjoyed  undisputed.  The  idea 
of  being  governed,  or  of  being  compelled  to  pay  the  def- 
erence of  servitude,  was  absolutely  intolerable  ;  and  she 
had  already  determined  within  herself,  some  half  dozen 
times,  to  make  an  effort  that  should  at  once  bring  to  an 
issue  the  delicate  point  of  her  domestic  condition.  But  as 
often  as  she  met  the  dark,  proud  eye  of  Elizabeth,  who  was 
walking  up  and  down  the  apartment,  musing  on  the  scenes 
of  her  youth  and  the  change  in  her  condition,  and  per- 
haps the  events  of  the  day,  the  housekeeper  experienced 
an  awe  that  she  would  not  own  to  herself  could  be  excited 
by  anything  mortal.  It,  however,  checked  her  advances, 
and  for  some  time  held  her  tongue-tied.  At  length  she  de- 
termined to  commence  the  discourse  by  entering  on  a 
subject  that  was  apt  to  level  all  human  distinctions,  and  in 
which  she  might  display  her  own  abilities. 

"  It  was  quite  a  wordy  sarmon  that  Parson  Grant  gave 
us  to-night,"  said  Remarkable.  "The  church  ministers 
be  commonly  smart  sarmonizers  ;  but  they  write  down 
their  idees,  which  is  a  great  privilege.  I  don't  think  that, 
by  nater,  they  are  as  tonguey  speakers,  for  an  off-hand 
discourse,  as  the  standing-order  ministers." 

uAnd  what  denomination  do  you  distinguish  as  the 
standing-order  ? "  inquired  Miss  Temple,  with  some  sur- 
prise. 

"Why,  the  Presbyte'rans  and  Congregationals,  and  Bap- 
tists, too,  for-ti-'now;  and  all  sitch  as  don't  go  on  their 
knees  to  prayer." 

"  By  that  rule,  then,  you  would  call  those  who  belong  to 
the  persuasion  of  my  father,  the  sitting  order,"  observed 
Elizabeth. 

"I'm  sure  I've  never  heard  'em  spoken  of  by  any  other 
name  than  Quakers,  so  called,"  returned  Remarkable,  be- 
traying a  slight  uneasiness  ;  "  I  should  be  the  last  to  call 
them  otherwise,  for  I  never  in  my  life  used  a  disparaging 
tarm  of  the  Judge,  or  any  of  his  family.  I've  always  set. 
store  by  the  Quakers,  they  are  so  pretty-spoken,  clever 
people,  and  it's  a  wronderment  to  me  how  your  father  come 
to  marry  into  a  church  family  ;  for  they  are  as  contrary  in 
religion  as  can  be.  One  sits  still,  and,  for  the  most  part, 
says  nothing,  while  the  church  folks  practyse  all  kinds  of 
ways,  so  that  I  sometimes  think  it  quite  moosical  to  see 
them  ;  for  I  went  to  a  church-meeting  once  before,  down 
country." 


156  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  You  have  found  an  excellence  in  the  church  liturgy 
that  has  hitherto  escaped  me.  I  will  thank  you  to  inquire 
whether  the  fire  in  my  room  burns ;  I  feel  fatigued  with 
my  journey,  and  will  retire." 

Remarkable  felt  a  wonderful  inclination  to  tell  the 
young  mistress  of  the  mansion  that  by  opening  a  door  she 
might  see  for  herself  ;  but  prudence  got  the  better  of  re- 
sentment, and  after  pausing  some  little  time,  as  a  salve  to 
her  dignity,  she.  did  as  desired.  The  report  was  favorable, 
and  the  young  lady,  wishing  Benjamin,  who  was  filling  the 
stove  with  wood,  and  the  housekeeper,  each  a  good-night, 
withdrew. 

The  instant  the  door  closed  on  Miss  Temple,  Remark- 
able commenced  a  sort  of  mysterious,  ambiguous  dis- 
course, that  was  neither  abusive  nor  commendatory  of  the 
qualities  of  the  absent  personage,  but  which  seemed  to  be 
drawing  nigh,  by  regular  degrees,  to  a  most  dissatisfied 
description.  The  major-domo  made  no  reply,  but  con- 
tinued his  occupation  with  great  industry,  which  being 
happily  completed,  he  took  a  look  at  the  thermometer, 
and  then,  opening  a  drawer  of  the  sideboard,  he  produced 
a  supply  of  stimulants  that  would  have  served  to  keep  the 
warmth  in  his  system  without  the  aid  of  the  enormous  fire 
he  had  been  building.  A  small  stand  was  drawn  up  near 
the  stove,  and  the  bottles  and  the  glasses  necessary  for 
convenience  were  quietly  arranged.  Two  chairs  were 
placed  by  the  side  of  this  comfortable  situation,  when  Ben- 
jamin, for  the  first  time,  appeared  to  observe  his  com- 
panion. 

"Come,"  he  cried,  "come,  Mistress  Remarkable,  bring 
yourself  to  an  anchor  on  this  chair.  It's  a  peeler  without,  I 
can  tell  you,  good  woman  ;  but  what  cares  I  ?  blow  high  or 
blow  low,  d'ye  see,  it's  all  the  same  thing  to  Ben.  The 
niggers  are  snug  stowed  below  before  a  fire  that  would 
roast  an  ox  whole.  The  thermometer  stands  now  at  fifty- 
five,  but  if  there's  any  vartue  in  good  maple  wood,  I'll 
weather  upon  it,  before  one  glass,  as  much  as  ten  points 
more,  so  that,  the  squire,  when  he  comes  home  from  Betty 
Hollister's  warm  room,  will  feel  as  hot  as  a  hand  that  has 
given  the  rigging  a  lick  with  bad  tar.  Come,  mistress, 
bring  up  in  this  here  chair,  and  tell  me  how  you  like  our 
new  heiress." 

"  Why,  to  my  notion,  Mr.  Penguillum " 

"  Pump,  Pump,"  interrupted  Benjamin  ;  "it's  Christmas 


THE  PIONEERS.  157 

eve,  Mistress  Remarkable,  and  so,  d'ye  see,  you  had  better 
call  me  Pump.  It's  a  shorter  name,  and  as  I  mean  to 
pump  this  here  decanter  till  it  sucks,  why,  you  may  as 
well  call  me  Pump." 

"  Did  you  ever!  "  cried  Remarkable,  with  a  laugh  that 
seemed  to  unhinge  every  joint  in  her  body.  u  You're  a 
rnoosical  creature,  Benjamin,  when  the  notion  takes  you. 
But,  as  I  was  saying,  I  rather  guess  that  times  will  be 
altered  now  in  this  house." 

"  Altered  !  "  exclaimed  the  major-domo,  eyeing  the  bot- 
tle, that  was  assuming  the  clear  aspect  of  cut  glass  with  as- 
tonishing rapidity  ;  "  it  don't  matter  much,  Mistress  Re- 
markable, so  long  as  I  keep  the  keys  of  the  lockers  in  my 
pocket." 

"I  can't  say,"  continued  the  housekeeper,  "but  there's 
good  eatables  and  drinkables  enough  in  the  house  for  a 
body's  content — a  little  more  sugar,  Benjamin,  in  the  glass 
— for  Squire  Jones  is  an  excellent  provider.  But  new 
lords,  new  laws  ;  and  I  shouldn't  wonder  if  you  and  I  had 
an  unsartain  time  on't  in  footer." 

"  Life  is  as  unsartain  as  the  wind  that  blows,"  said  Benja- 
min, with  a  moralizing  air  ;  "and  nothing  is  more  vari'ble 
than  the  wind.  Mistress  Remarkable,  unless  you  happen 
to  fall  in  with  the  trades,  d'ye  see,  and  then  you  may  run 
for  the  matter  of  a  month  at  a  time,  with  studding-sails  on 
both  sides,  alow  and  aloft,  and  with  the  cabin-boy  at  the 
wheel." 

"I  know  that  life  is  disp'ut  unsartain,"  said  Remarkable, 
compressing  her  features  to  the  humor  of  her  companion ; 
"  but  I  expect  there  will  be  great  changes  made  in  the 
house  to  rights  ;  and  that  you  will  find  a  young  man  put 
over  your  head,  as  there  is  one  that  wants  to  be  over  mine  ; 
and  after  having  been  settled  as  long  as  you  have,  Benja- 
min, I  should  judge  that  to  be  hard." 

"  Promotion  should  go  according  to  length  of  sarvice," 
said  the  major-domo  ;  "and  if-so-be  that  they  ship  a  hand 
for  my  berth,  or  place  a  new  steward  aft,  I  shall  throw  up 
my  commission  in  less  time  than  you  can  put  a  pilot-boat 
in  stays.  Thof  Squire  Dickens  " — this  was  a  common  mis- 
nomer with  Benjamin — "  is  a  nice  gentleman,  and  as  good 
a  man  to  sail  with  as  heart  could  wish,  yet  I  shall  tell  the 
squire,  d'ye  see,  in  plain  English,  and  that's  my  native 
tongue,  that  if-so-be  he  is  thinking  of  putting  any  Johnny 
Raw  over  my  head,  why,  I  shall  resign.  I  began  forrard. 


158  THE  PIONEERS. 

Mistress  Prettybones,  and  worked  my  way  aft,  like  a  man. 
I  was  six  months  aboard  a  Garnsey  lugger,  hauling  in  the 
slack  of  the  lee-sheet  and  coiling  up  rigging.  From  that 
I  went  a  few  trips  in  a  fore-and-after,  in  the  same  trade, 
which,  after  all,  was  but  a  blind  kind  of  sailing  in  the 
dark,  where  a  man  larns  but  little,  excepting  how  to  steer 
by  the  stars.  Well,  then,  d'ye  see,  I  larnt  how  a  top-mast 
should  be  slushed,  and  how  a  top-gallant-sail  was  to  be 
becketted  ;  and  then  I  did  small  jobs  in  the  cabin,  such  as 
mixing  the  skipper's  grog.  'Twas  there  I  got  my  taste, 
which,  you  must  have  often  seen,  is  excellent.  Well,  here's 
better  acquaintance  to  us." 

Remarkable  nodded  a  return  to  the  compliment,  and 
took  a  sip  of  the  beverage  before  her  ;  for,  provided  it  was 
well  sweetened,  she  had  no  objection  to  a  small  potation 
now  and  then.  After  this  observance  of  courtesy  between 
the  worthy  couple,  the  dialogue  proceeded. 

"You  have  had  great  experiences  in  life,  Benjamin  ;  for, 
as  the  Scripter  says,  '  They  that  go  down  to  the  sea  in 
ships  see  the  works  of  the  Lord.'  " 

"  Ay  !  for  that  matter,  they  in  brigs  and  schooners,  too  ; 
and  it  mought  say,  the  works  of  the  devil.  The  sea,  Mistress 
Remarkable,  is  a  great  advantage  to  a  man,  in  the  way  of 
knowledge,  for  he  sees  the  fashions  of  nations  and  the 
shape  of  a  country.  Now,  I  suppose,  for  myself  here,  who 
is  but  an  unlarned  man  to  some  that  follows  the  seas,  I  sup- 
pose that,  taking  the  coast  from  Cape  Ler  Hogue  as  low 
down  as  Cape  Finish-there,  there  isn't  so  much  as  a  head- 
land, or  an  island,  that  I  don't  know  either  the  name  of  it 
or  something  more  or  less  about  it.  Take  enough,  woman, 
to  color  the  water.  Here's  sugar.  It's  a  sweet  tooth,  that 
fellow  that  you  hold  on  upon  yet,  Mistress  Prettybones. 
But,  as  I  was  saying,  take  the  whole  coast  along,  I  know 
it  as  well  as  the  way  from  here  to  the  Bold  Dragoon  ;  and 
a  devil  "of  acquaintance  is  that  Bay  of  Biscay.  Whew  !  I 
wish  you  could  but  hear  the  wind  blow  there.  It  some- 
times takes  two  to  hold  one  man's  hair  on  his  head 
Scudding  through  the  bay  is  pretty  much  the  same  thing 
as  travelling  the  roads  in  this  country,  up  one  side  of  a 
mountain  and  down  the  other." 

"Do  tell !  "  exclaimed  Remarkable  ;  "and  does  the  sea 
run  as  high  as  mountains,  Benjamin  ?" 

"Well,  I  will  tell  ;  but  first  let's  taste  the  grog.  Hem  J 
it's  the  right  kind  of  stuff,  I  must  say,  that  you  keep  in  this 


THE  PIONEERS.  159 

country  ;  but  then  you're  so  close  aboard  the  West  Indies, 
you  make  but  a  small  run  of  it.  By  the  Lord  Harry,  wom- 
an, if  Garnseyonly  lay  somewhere  between  Cape  Hatteras 
and  the  bite  of  Logann,  but  you'd  see  rum  cheap  !  As  to 
the  seas,  they  runs  more  in  uppers  in  the  Bay  of  Biscay, 
unless  it  may  be  in  a  sow-wester,  when  they  tumble  about 
quite  handsomely  ;  thof  it's  not  in  the  narrow  sea  that  you 
are  to  look  for  a  swell  ;  just  go  off  the  Western  Islands, 
in  a  westerly  blow,  keeping  the  land  on  your  larboard  hand, 
with  the  ship's  head  to  the  south'ard,  and  bring  to,  under 
a  close-reef  d  topsail ;  or,  mayhap,  a  reef  d  foresail,  with  a 
fore-topmast-staysail,  and  mizzen-staysail,  to  keep  her  up 
to  the  sea,  if  she  will  bear  it  ;  and  lay  there  for  the  matter 
of  two  watches,  if  you  want  to  see  mountains.  Why,  good 
woman,  I've  been  off  there,  in  the  Boadishey  frigate,  when 
you  could  see  nothing  but  some  such  matter  as  a  piece  of 
sky,  mayhap,  as  big  as  the  mainsail ;  and  then  again,  there 
was  a  hole  under  your  lee-quarter  big  enough  to  hold  the 
whole  British  navy." 

"  Oh  !  for  massy's  sake !  and  wan't  you  afeard,  Benjamin  ? 
and  how  did  you  get  off  ?" 

"  Afeard  !  who  the  devil  do  you  think  was  to  be  fright- 
ened at  a  little  salt  water  tumbling  about  his  head  ?  As 
forgetting  off,  when  we  had  enough  of  it,  and  had  washed 
our  decks  down  pretty  well,  we  called  all  hands,  for,  d'ye 
see,  the  watch  below  was  in  their  hammocks,  all  the  same 
as  if  they  were  in  one  of  your  best  bedrooms  ;  and  so  we 
watched  for  a  smooth  time,  clapt  her  helm  hard  a  weather, 
let  fall  the  foresail,  and  got  the  tack  aboard  ;  and  so,  when 
we  got  her  afore  it,  I  ask  you,  Mistress  Prettybones,  if  she 
didn't  walk  ?  didn't  she  ?  I'm  no  liar,  good  woman,  when  I 
say  that  I  saw  that  ship  jump  from  the  top  of  one  sea  to 
another,  just  like  one  of  these  squirrels  that  can  fly 
jumps  from  tree  to  tree." 

"  What !  clean  out  of  the  water  ?  "  exclaimed  Remark- 
able, lifting  her  two  lank  arms,  with  their  bony  hands 
spread  in  astonishment. 

"  It  was  no  such  easy  matter  to  get  out  of  the  water, 
good  woman  ;  for  the  spray  flew  so  that  you  couldn't  tell 
which  was  sea  or  which  was  cloud.  So  there  we  kept  her 
afore  it  for  the  matter  of  two  glasses.  The  first  lieutenant 
he  cun'd  the  ship  himself,  and  there  was  four  quarter- 
masters at  the  wheel,  besides  the  master  with  six  forecastle 
men  in  the  gun-room,  at  the  relieving  tackles.  But  then 


i6o  THE  PIONEERS. 

she  behaved  herself  so  well !  Oh  I  she  was  a  sweet  shipt 
mistress  !  That  one  frigate  was  well  worth  more,  to  live 
in,  than  the  best  house  in  the  island.  If  I  was  king  of 
England  I'd  have  her  hauled  up  above  Lon'on  bridge, 
and  fit  her  up  for  a  palace  ;  because  why  ?  if  anybody  can 
afford  to  live  comfortably,  his  majesty  can." 

"Well!  but,  Benjamin,"  cried  the  listener,  who  was  in 
an  ecstasy  of  astonishment  at  this  relation  of  the  steward's 
dangers,  "  what  did  you  do  ? " 

"  Do  !  why,  we  did  our  duty  like  hearty  fellows.  Now  if 
the  countrymen  of  Mounsheer  Ler  Quawhad  been  aboard 
of  her,  they  would  have  just  struck  her  ashore  on  some  of 
them  small  islands  ;  but  we  run  along  the  land  until  we 
found  her  dead  to  leeward  off  the  mountains  of  Pico,  and 
dam'me  if  I  know  to  this  day  how  we  got  there — whether 
we  jumped  over  the  island  or  hauled  round  it ;  but  there 
we  was,  and  there  we  lay,  under  easy  sail,  fore-reaching 
first  upon  one  tack  and  then  upon  t'other,  so  as  to  poke 
her  nose  out  now  and  then  and  take  a  look  to  wind'ard,  till 
the  gale  blow'd  its  pipe  out." 

"  I  wonder,  now ! "  exclaimed  Remarkable,  to  whom 
most  of  the  terms  used  by  Benjamin  were  perfectly  unin- 
telligible, but  who  had  got  a  confused  idea  of  a  raging  tem- 
pest. "  It  must  be  an  awful  life,  that  going  to  sea  !  and  I 
don't  feel  astonishment  that  you  are  so  affronted  with  the 
thoughts  of  being  forced  to  quit  a  comfortable  home  like 
this.  Not  that  a  body  cares  much  for't,  as  there's  more 
houses  than  one  to  live  in.  Why,  when  the  Judge  agreed 
with  me  to  come  and  live  with  him,  I'd  no  more  notion  of 
stopping  any  time  than  anything.  I  happened  in  just  to 
see  how  the  family  did,  about  a  week  after  Mrs.  Temple 
died,  thinking  to  be  back  home  ag'in  night ;  but  the 
family  was  in  such  a  distressed  way  that  I  couldn't  but 
stop  awhile  and  help  'em  on.  I  thought  the  situation  a 
good  one,  seeing  that  I  was  an  unmarried  body,  and  they 
were  so  much  in  want  of  help  ;  so  I  tarried." 

"And  a  long  time  you've  left  your  anchors  down  in  the 
same  place,  mistress.  I  think  you  must  find  that  the 
ship  rides  easy." 

"  How  you  talk,  Benjamin  !  there's  no  believing  a  word 
you  say.  I  must  say  that  the  Judge  and  Squire  Jones 
have  both  acted  quite  clever,  so  long  ;  but  I  see  that  now 
we  shall  have  a  specimen  to  the  contrary.  I  heern  say 
that  the  Judge  was  gone  a  great  'broad,  and  that  he  meant 


THE  PIONEERS.  161 

to  bring  his  darter  hum,  but  I  didn't  calculate  on  sich 
carrins  on.  To  my  notion,  Benjamin,  she's  likely  to  turn 
out  a  desp'ut  ugly  gal." 

"  Ugly !"  echoed  the  major-domo,  opening  eyes,  that 
were  beginning  to  close  in  a  very  suspicious  sleepiness,  in 
wide  amazement.  "  By  the  Lord  Harry,  woman,  I  should 
as  soon  think  of  calling  the  Boadishey  a  clumsy  frigate. 
What  the  devil  would  you  have  ?  arn't  her  eyes  as  bright 
as  the  morning  and  evening  stars  ?  and  isn't  her  hair  as 
black  and  glistening  as  rigging  that  has  just  had  a  lick  of 
tar  ?  doesn't  she  move  as  stately  as  a  first-rate  in  smooth 
water,  on  a  bowline  ?  Why,  woman,  the  figure-head  of  the 
Boadishey  was  a  fool  to  her,  and  that,  as  I've  often  heard 
the  captain  say,  was  an  image  of  a  great  queen  ;  and  arn't 
queens  always  comely,  woman  ?  for  who  do  you  think 
would  be  a  king,  and  not  choose  a  handsome  bedfellow?" 

"Talk  decent,  Benjamin,"  said  the  housekeeper,  "  or  I 
won't  keep  your  company.  I  don't  gainsay  her  being 
comely  to  look  on,  but  I  will  maintain  that  she's  likely  to 
show  poor  conduct.  She  seems  to  think  herself  too  good 
to  talk  to  a  body.  From  what  Squire  Jones  had  tell'd  me, 
I  some  expected  to  be  quite  captivated  by  her  company. 
Now,  to  my  reckoning,  Lowizy  Grant  is  much  more  pritty 
behaved  than  Betsey  Temple.  She  wouldn't  so  much  as 
hold  discourse  with  me  when  I  wanted  to  ask  her  how 
she  felt  on  coming  home  and  missing  her  mammy." 

"  Perhaps  she  didn't  understand  you,  woman  ;  you  are 
none  of  the  best  linguister  ;  and  then  Miss  Lizzy  has  been 
exercising  the  king's  English  under  a  great  Lon'on  lady, 
and,  for  that  matter,  can  talk  the  language  almost  as  wrell 
as  myself,  or  any  native-born  British  subject.  You've  for- 
got your  schooling,  and  the  young  mistress  is  a  great  scol- 
lard." 

"  Mistress  !  "  cried  Remarkable  ;  ''don't  make  one  out  to 
be  a  nigger,  Benjamin.  She's  no  mistress  of  mine,  and 
never  will  be.  And  as  to  speech,  I  hold  myself  as  second 
to  nobody  out  of  New  England.  I  was  born  and  raised  in 
Essex  County  ;  and  I've  always  heern  say  that  the  Bay 
State  was  provarbal  for  pronounsation  ! " 

"  I've  often  heard  of  that  Bay  of  State,"  said  Benjamin, 
"  but  can't  say  that  I've  ever  been  in  it,  nor  do  I  know  ex- 
actly whereaway  it  is  that  it  lays  ;  but  I  suppose  there  is 
good  anchorage  in  it,  and  that  it's  no  bad  place  for  the 
taking  of  ling  ;  but  for  size  it  can't  be  so  much  as  a  yawl 
ii 


162  THE  PIONEERS. 

to  a  sloop  of  war  compared  with  the  Bay  of  Biscay,  or, 
mayhap,  Torbay.  And  as  for  language,  if  you  want  to 
hear  the  dictionary  overhauled,  like  a  log-line  in  a  blow, 
you  must  go  to  Wapping  and  listen  to  the  Lon'oners  as 
they  deal  out  their  lingo.  Howsomever,  I  see  no  such 
mighty  matter  that  Miss  Lizzy  has  been  doing  to  you, 
good  woman  ;  so  take  another  drop  of  your  brew,  and  for- 
give and  forget,  like  an  honest  soul." 

"No,  indeed!  and  I  shan't  do  sitch  a  thing,  Benjamin. 
This  treatment  is  a  newity  to  rne,  and  what  I  wun't  put 
up  with.  I  have  a  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  at  use,  besides 
a  bed  and  twenty  sheep,  to  good  ;  and  I  don't  crave  to  live 
in  a  house  where  a  body  mustn't  call  a  young  woman  by 
her  given  name  to  her  face.  I  will  call  her  Betsey  as 
much  as  I  please  ;  it's  a  free  country,  and  no  one  can  stop 
me.  I  did  intend  to  stop  while  summer,  but  I  shall  quit 
to-morrow  morning  ;  and  I  will  talk  just  as  I  please." 

"  For  that  matter,  Mistress  Remarkable,"  said  Benjamin, 
"  there's  none  here  who  will  contradict  you  ;  for  I'm  of 
opinion  that  it  would  be  as  easy  to  stop  a  hurricane  with  a 
Barcelony  handkerchy  as  to  bring  up  your  tongue  when 
the  stopper  is  off.  I  say,  good  woman,  do  they  grow  many 
monkeys  along  the  shores  of  that  Bay  of  State  ? " 

"You're  a  monkey  yourself,  Mr.  Penguillum,"  cried  the 
enraged  housekeeper,  "  or  a  bear — a  black,  beastly  bear  ! 
and  ain't  fit  for  a  decent  woman  to  stay  with.  I'll  never 
keep  your  company  ag'in,  sir,  if  I  should  live  thirty  years 
with  the  Judge.  Sitch  talk  is  more  befitting  the  kitchen 
than  the  keeping-room  of  a  house  of  one  who  is  well-to-do 
in  the  world." 

"  Look  you,  Mistress  Pitty — Patty — Prettybones,  may- 
hap I'm  some  such  matter  as  a  bear,  as  they  will  find  who 
come  to  grapple  with  me  ;  but  dam'me  if  I'm  a  monkey — 
a  thing  that  chatters  without  knowing  a  word  of  what  it 
says — a  parrot ;  that  will  hold  a  dialogue,  for  what  an 
honest  man  knows,  in  a  dozen  languages  ;  mayhap  in  the 
Bay  of  State  lingo  ;  mayhap  in  Greek  or  High  Dutch. 
But  dost  it  know  what  it  means  itself?  canst  answer  me 
that,  good  woman  ?  Your  midshipman  can  sing  out,  and 
pass  the  word,  when  the  captain  gives  the  order,  but  just 
send  him  adrift  by  himself,  and  let  him  work  the  ship  of 
his  own  head,  and  stop  my  grog  if  you  don't  find  all  the 
Johnny  Raws  laughing  at  him." 

"  Stop  your  grog,  indeed !  "  said  Remarkable,  rising  with 


THE  PIONEERS.  163 

great  indignation,  and  seizing  a  candle;  " you're  groggy 
now,  Benjamin,  and  I'll  quit  the  room  before  I  hear  any 
misbecoming  words  from  you." 

The  housekeeper  retired,  with  a  manner  but  little  less 
dignified,  as  she  thought,  than  the  air  of  the  heiress,  mut- 
tering as  she  drew  the  door  after  her,  with  a  noise  like  the 
report  of  a  musket,  the  opprobrious  terms  of  "  drunkard," 
"sot,"  and  "beast." 

"  Who's  that  you  say  is  drunk?"  cried  Benjamin,  fierce- 
ly, rising  and  making  a  movement  toward  Remarkable. 
"  You  talk  of  mustering  yourself  with  a  lady  !  you're  just 
fit  to  grumble  and  find  fault.  Where  the  devil  should  you 
larn  behavior  and  dictionary  ?  in  your  damned  Bay  of 
State,  ha  ? " 

Benjamin  here  fell  back  in  his  chair,  and  soon  gave  vent 
to  certain  ominous  sounds,  which  resembled  not  a  little 
the  growling  of  his  favorite  animal,  the  bear  itself.  Before, 
however,  he  was  quite  locked — to  use  the  language  that 
would  suit  the  Della-cruscan  humor  of  certain  refined 
minds  of  the  present  day — "  in  the  arms  of  Morpheus,"  he 
spoke  aloud,  observing  due  pauses  between  his  epithets, 
the  impressive  terms  of  "monkey,"  "parrot,"  "picnic," 
"tar-pot,"  and  "linguisters." 

We  shall  not  attempt  to  explain  his  meaning  nor  con- 
nect his  sentences  ;  and  our  readers  must  be  satisfied  with 
our  informing  them  that  they  were  expressed  with  all  that 
coolness  of  contempt  that  a  man  might  well  be  supposed 
to  feel  for  a  monkey. 

Nearly  two  hours  passed  in  this  sleep  before  the  major- 
domo  was  awakened  by  the  noisy  entrance  of  Richard, 
Major  Hartmann,  and  the  master  of  the  mansion.  Benja- 
min so  far  rallied  his  confused  faculties  as  to  shape  the 
course  of  the  two  former  to  their  respective  apartments, 
when  he  disappeared  himself,  leaving  the  task  of  securing 
the  house  to  him  who  was  most  interested  in  its  safety. 
Locks  and  bars  were  but  little  attended  to  in  the  early 
days  of  that  settlement,  and  so  soon  as  Marmaduke  had 
given  an  eye  to  the  enormous  fires  of  his  dwelling,  he  re- 
tired. With  this  act  of  prudence  closes  the  first  night  oi 
our  tale. 


164  THE  PIONEERS. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

"  Watch  (aside).     Some  treason,  masters — 
Yet  stand  close." — MUCH  ADO  ABOUT  NOTHING. 

IT  was  fortunate  for  more  than  one  of  the  bacchana- 
lians who  left  the  "  Bold  Dragoon  "  late  in  the  evening 
that  the  severe  cold  of  the  season  was  becoming  rapidly 
less  dangerous,  as  they  threaded  the  different  mazes  through 
the  snow-banks  that  led  to  their  respective  dwellings. 
Then  driving  clouds  began  toward  morning  to  flit  across 
the  heavens,  and  the  moon  set  behind  a  volume  of  vapor 
that  was  impelled  furiously  toward  the  north,  carrying 
with  it  the  softer  atmosphere  from  the  distant  ocean. 
The  rising  sun  was  obscured 'by  denser  and  increasing 
columns  of  clouds,  while  the  southerly  wind  that  rushed 
up  the  valley  brought  the  never-failing  symptoms  of  a 
thaw. 

It  was  quite  late  in  the  morning  before  Elizabeth,  observ- 
ing the  faint  glowwhich  appeared  on  the  eastern  mountain 
long  after  the  light  of  the  sun  had  struck  the  opposite 
hills,  ventured  from  the  house,  with  a  view  to  gratify  her 
curiosity  with  a  glance  by  daylight  at  the  surrounding 
objects  before  the  tardy  revellers  of  the  Christmas  eve 
should  make  their  appearance  at  the  breakfast-table. 
While  she  was  drawing  the  folds  of  her  pelisse  more  closely 
around  her  form,  to  guard  against  a  cold  that  was  yet 
great,  though  rapidly  yielding,  in  the  small  inclosure  that 
opened  in  the  rear  of  the  house  on  a  little  thicket  of  low 
pines  that  were  springing  up  where  trees  of  a  mightier 
growth  had  lately  stood,  she  Xvas  surprised  at  the  voice  of 
Mr.  Jones. 

"  Merry  Christmas,  merry  Christmas  to  you,  Cousin 
Bess,"  he  shouted.  "  Ah,  ha  !  an  early  riser,  I  see  ;  but  I 
knew  I  should  steal  a  march  on  you.  I  never  was  in  a 
house  yet  where  I  didn't  get  the  first  Christmas  greeting 
on  every  soul  in  it,  man,  woman,  and  child — great  and 
small — black,  white,  and  yellow.  But  stop  a  minute  till 
I  can  just  slip  on  my  coat.  You  are  about  to  look  at  the 
improvements,  I  see,  which  no  one  can  explain  so  well  as 
I,  who  planned  them  all.  It  will  be  an  hour  before  'duke 
and  the  major  can  sleep  off  Mrs.  Hollister's  confounded 
distillations,  and  so  I'll  come  down  and  go  with  you," 


THE  PIONEERS.  165 

Elizabeth  turned  and  observed  her  cousin  in  his  night- 
cap, with  his  head  out  of  his  bedroom  window,  where  his 
zeal  for  pre-eminence-  in  defiance  of  the  weather,  had  im- 
pelled him  to  thrust  it.  She  laughed,  and  promising  to 
wait  for  his  company,  re-entered  the  house,  making  her 
appearance  again,  holding  in  her  hand  a  packet  that  was 
secured  by  several  large  and  important  seals,  just  in  time 
to  meet  the  gentleman. 

"  Come,  Bessy  come,"  he  cried,  drawing  one  of  her  arms 
through  his  own  ;  "  the  snow  begins  to  give,  but  it  will 
bear  us  yet.  Don't  you  snuff  old  Pennsylvania  in  the  very 
air  ?  This  is  a  vile  climate,  girl  ;  now  at  sunset,  last  even- 
ing, it  was  cold  enough  to  freeze  a  man's  zeal,  and  that,  I 
can  tell  you,  takes  a  thermometer  near  zero  for  me  ;  then 
about  nine  or  ten  it  began  to  moderate  ;  at  twelve  it  was 
quite  mild,  and  here  all  the  rest  of  the  night  1  have  been 
so  hot  as  not  to  bear  a  blanket  on  the  bed. — Holla  !  Aggy 
— merry  Christmas,  Aggy — I  say,  do  you  hear  me,  you 
black  dog  !  there's  a  dollar  for  you  ;  and  if  the  gentlemen 
get  up  before  I  come  back,  do  you  come  out  and  let  me 
know.  I  wouldn't  have  'duke  get  the  start  of  me  for  the 
worth  of  your  head." 

The  black  caught  the  money  from  the  snow,  and  prom- 
ising a  due  degree  of  watchfulness,  he  gave  the  dollar  a 
whirl  of  twenty  feet  in  the  air,  and  catching  it  as  it  fell,  in 
the  palm  of  his  hand,  he  withdrew  to  the  kitchen,  to  ex- 
hibit his  present,  with  a  heart  as  light  as  his  face  was 
happy  in  its  expression. 

"  Oh,  rest  easy,  my  dear  coz,"  said  the  young  lady  ;  "  I 
took  a  look  in  at  my  father,  who  is  likely  to  sleep  an  hour ; 
and  by  using  due  vigilance  you  will  secure  all  the  honors 
of  the  season." 

"Why,  'duke  is  your  father,  Elizabeth;  but  'duke  is  a 
man  who  likes  to  be  foremost,  even  in  trifles.  Now,  as 
for  myself,  I  care  for  no  such  things,  except  in  the  way  of 
competition  ;  for  a  thing  which  is  of  no  moment  in  itself 
may  be  made  of  importance  in  the  way  of  competition. 
So  it  is  with  your  father — he  loves  to  be  first  ;  but  I  only 
struggle  with  him  as  a  competitor." 

"  It's  all  very  clear,  sir,"  said  Elizabeth  ;  "you  would 
not  care  a  fig  for  distinction  if  there  were  no  one  in  the 
world  but  yourself  ;  but  as  there  happens  to  be  a  great 
many  others,  why,  you  must  struggle  with  them  all — in  the 
way  of  competition." 


166  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  Exactly  so  ;  I  see  you  are  a  clever  girl,  Bess,  and  one 
who  does  credit  to  her  masters.  It  was  my  plan  to  send 
you  to  that  school  ;  for  when  your  father  first  mentioned 
the  thing,  I  wrote  a  private  letter  for  advice  to  a  judicious 
friend  in  the  city,  who  recommended  the  very  school  you 
went  to.  'Duke  was  a  little  obstinate  at  first,  as  usual,  but 
when  he  heard  the  truth  he  was  obliged  to  send  you." 

"Well,  a  truce  to  'duke's  foibles,  sir  ;  he  is  my  father, 
and  if  you  knew  what  he  has  been  doing  for  you  while  we 
were  in  Albany,  you  would  deal  more  tenderly  with  his 
character." 

"For  me!"  cried  Richard,  pausing  a  moment  in  his 
walk  to  reflect.  "  Oh  !  he  got  the  plans  of  the  new  Dutch 
meeting-house  for  me,  I  suppose  ;  but  I  care  very  little 
about  it,  for  a  man  of  a  certain  kind  of  talent  is  seldom 
aided  by  any  foreign  suggestions  ;  his  own  brain  is  the 
best  architect." 

"  No  such  thing,"  said  Elizabeth,  looking  provokingly 
knowing. 

"  No  !  let  me  see — perhaps  he  had  my  name  put  in  the 
bill  for  the  new  turnpike,  as  a  director." 

"  He  might  possibly  ;  but  it  is  not  ':o  such  an  appoint- 
ment that  I  allude." 

"Such  an  appointment!'  repeatea  •  i  .  Jones,  who  be- 
gan to  fidget  with  curiosity  ;  "  then  it  .s  an  appointment. 
If  itts  in  the  militia,  I  won't  take  it." 

"  No,  no,  it  is  not  in  the  militia,"  cried  Elizabeth,  show- 
ing the  packet  in  her  hand,  and  then  drawing  it  back  with 
a  coquettish  air  ;  "  it  is  an  office  of  both  honor  and  emolu- 
ment." 

"  Honor  and  emolument !  "  echoed  Richard,  in  painful 
suspense  ;  "  show  me  the  paper,  girl.  Say,  is  it  an  office 
where  there  is  anything  to  do?  " 

"  You  have  hit  it,  Cousin  Dickon  ;  it  is  the  executive 
office  of  the  county  ;  at  least  so  said  my  father  when  he 
gave  me  this  packet  to  offer  you  as  a  Christmas-box. 
*  Surely  if  anything  will  please  Dickon,'  he  said,  '  it  will 
be  to  fill  the  executive  chair  of  the  county.' ' 

"  Executive  chair  !  what  nonsense  !"  cried  the  impatient 
gentleman,  snatching  the  packet  from  her  hand  ;  "  there  is 
no  such  office  in  the  county.  Eh  !  what !  it  is,  I  declare,  a 
commission,  appointing  Richard  Jones,  Esquire,  sheriff  of 
the  county.  Well,  this  is  kind  in  'duke,  positively.  I 
must  say  'duke  has  a  warm  heart,  and  never  forgets  his 


THE  PIONEERS.  167 

friends.  Sheriff!  High  Sheriff  of—  -!  It  sounds  well. 
Bess,  but  it  shall  execute  better.  'Duke  is  a  judicious 
man  after  all,  and  knows  human  nature  thoroughly.  I'm 
much  obliged  to  him,"  continued  Richard,  using  the  skirt 
of  his  coat  unconsciously  to  wipe  his  eyes  ;  "  though  I 
would  do  as  much  for  him  any  day,  as  he  shall  see,  if  I 
have  an  opportunity  to  perform  any  of  the  duties  of  my 
office  on  him.  It  shall  be  done,  Cousin  Bess — it  shall  be 
done,  I  say.  How  this  cursed  south  wind  makes  one's 
eyes  water  ! " 

"  Now,  Richard,"  said  the  laughing  maiden,  "  now  I 
think  you  will  find  something  to  do.  I  have  often  heard 
you  complain  of  old  that  there  was  nothing  to  do  in  this 
new  country,  while  to  my  eyes  it  seemed  as  if  everything 
remained  to  be  done." 

"  Do  ! "  echoed  Richard,  who  blew  his  nose,  raised  his 
little  form  to  its  greatest  elevation,  and  looked  serious. 
"  Everything  depends  on  system,  girl.  I  shall  sit  down 
this  afternoon  and  systematize  the  county.  I  must  have 
deputies,  you  know.  I  will  divide  the  county  into  districts, 
over  which  I  will  place  my  deputies  ;  and  I  will  have  one 
for  the  village,  which  I  will  call  my  home  department. 
Let  me  see — ho  !  Benjamin  !  yes,  Benjamin  will  make  a 
good  deputy  ;  he  has  been  naturalized,  and  would  answer 
admirably  if  he  could  only  ride  on  horseback." 

"  Yes,  Mr.  Sheriff,"  said  his  companion  ;  "  and  as  he 
understands  ropes  so  well,  he  would  be  very  expert,  should 
occasion  happen  for  his  services,  in  another  way." 

"No,"  interrupted  the  other  ;  "  I  flatter  myself  that  no 
man  could  hang  a  man  better  than — that  is — ha! — oh! 
yes,  Benjamin  would  do  extremely  well  in  such  an  unfor- 
tunate dilemma,  if  he  could  be  persuaded  to  attempt  it. 
But  I  should  despair  of  the  thing.  I  never  could  induce 
him  to  hang,  or  teach  him  to  ride  on  horseback.  I  must 
seek  another  deputy." 

"Well,  sir,  as  you  have  abundant  leisure  for  all  these 
important  affairs,  I  beg  that  you  will  forget  that  you  are 
high  sheriff,  and  devote  some  little  of  your  time  to  gallan- 
try. Where  are  the  beauties  and  improvements  which  you 
were  to  show  me  ? " 

"  Where  ?  why,  everywhere  !  Here  I  have  laid  out  some 
new  streets  ;  and  when  they  are  opened,  and  the  trees 
felled,  and  they  are  all  built  up,  will  they  not  make  a  fine 
town  ?  Well,  'duke  is  a  liberal- hearted  fellow.,  with  all 


168  THE  PIONEERS. 

his  stubbornness.  Yes,  yes;  I  must  have  at  least  foui 
deputies,  besides  a  jailer." 

"I  see  no  streets  in  the  direction  of  our  walk,"  said 
Elizabeth,  "  unless  you  call  the  short  avenues  through 
these  pine  bushes  by  that  name.  Surely  you  do  not  con- 
template building  houses,  very  soon,  in  that  forest  before 
us,  and  in  those  swamps." 

"  We  must  run  our  streets  by  the  compass,  coz,  and  disre- 
gard trees,  hills,  ponds,  stumps,  or,  in  fact,  anything  but 
posterity.  Such  is  the  will  of  your  father,  and  your  father, 
you  know " 

"  Had  you  made  sheriff,  Mr.  Jones,"  interrupted  the  lady, 
with  a  tone  that  said  very  plainly  to  the  gentleman  that 
he  was  touching  a  forbidden  subject. 

"  I  know  it.  I  know  it,"  cried  Richard  ;  "  and  if  it  were 
in  my  power,  I'd  make  'duke  a  king.  He  is  a  noble-hearted 
fellow,  and  would  make  an  excellent  king  ;  that  is,  if  he 
had  a  good  prime  minister.  But  who  have  we  here  ?  voices 
in  the  bushes — a  combination  about  mischief,  I'll  wager 
my  commission.  Let  us  draw  near  and  examine  a  little 
into  the  matter." 

During  this  dialogue,  as  the  parties  had  kept  in  motion, 
Richard  and  his  cousin  advanced  some  distance  from  the 
house  into  the  open  space  in  the  rear  of  the  village,  where, 
as  may  be  gathered  from  the  conversation,  streets  were 
planned  and  future  dwellings  contemplated  ;  but  where, 
in  truth,  the  only  mark  of  improvement  that  \vas  to  be 
seen  was  a  neglected  clearing  along  the  skirt  of  a  dark 
forest  of  mighty  pines,  over  which  the  bushes  or  sprouts 
of  the  same  tree  had  sprung  up  to  a  height  that  inter- 
spersed the  fields  of  snow  with  little  thickets  of  evergreen. 
The  rushing  of  the  wind,  as  it  whistled  through  the  tops 
of  these  mimic  trees,  prevented  the  footsteps  of  the  pair 
from  being  heard,  while  the  branches  concealed  their  per- 
sons. Thus  aided,  the  listeners  drew  nigh  to  a  spot  where 
the  young  hunter,  Leather-Stocking,  and  the  Indian  chief 
were  collected  in  an  earnest  consultation.  The  former 
was  urgent  in  his  manner,  arid  seemed  to  think  the  sub- 
ject of  deep  importance,  while  Natty  appeared  to  listen 
with  more  than  his  usual  attention  to  what  the  other  was 
saying.  Mohegan  stood  a  little  on  one  side,  with  his  head 
sunken  on  his  chest,  his  hair  falling  forward  so  as  to  con- 
ceal most  of  his  features,  and  his  whole  attitude  expressive 
of  deep  dejection,  if  not  of  shame. 


THE  PIONEERS.  109 

"Let  us  withdraw,"  whispered  Elizabeth  ;  "we  are  in- 
truders, and  can  have  no  right  to  listen  to  the  secrets  of 
these  men." 

"  No  right ! "  returned  Richard,  a  little  impatiently,  in 
the  same  tone,  and  drawing  her  arm  so  forcibly  through 
his  own  as  to  prevent  her  retreat  ;  "  you  forget,  cousin, 
that  it  is  my  duty  to  preserve  the  peace  of  the  county  and 
see  the  laws  executed.  These  wanderers  frequently  com- 
mit depredations  ;  though  I  do  not  think  John  would  do 
anything  secretly.  Poor  fellow  !  he  \vas  quite  boozy  last 
night,  and  hardly  seems  to  be  over  it  yet.  Let  us  draw 
nigher  and  hear  what  they  say." 

Notwithstanding  the  lady's  reluctance,  Richard,  stim- 
ulated doubtless  by  his  sense  of  duty,  prevailed  ;  and  they 
were  soon  so  near  as  distinctly  to  hear  sounds. 

"  The  bird  must  be  had,"  said  Natty,  "  by  fair  means  or 
foul.  Heigho  !  I've  known  the  time,  lad,  when  the  wild 
turkeys  wasn't  over-scarce  in  the  country  :  though  you 
must  go  into  the  Virginia  gaps  if  you  want  them  now 
To  be  sure,  there  is  a  different  taste  to  a  partridge  and  a 
well-fatted  turkey  ;  though,  to  my  eating,  beaver's  tail  and 
bear's  ham  make  the  best  of  food.  But  then  every  one 
has  his  own  appetite.  I  gave  the  last  farthing,  all  to  that 
shilling,  to  the  French  trader,  this  very  morning,  as  I  came 
through  the  town,  for  powder  ;  so,  as  you  have  nothing, 
we  can  have  but  one  shot  for  it.  I  know  that  Billy  Kirby 
is  out,  and  means  to  have  a  pull  of  the  trigger  at  that  very 
turkey.  John  has  a  true  eye  for  a  single  fire,  and,  some- 
how, my  hand  shakes  so  whenever  I  have  to  do  anything 
extrawnary,  that  I  often  lose  my  aim.  Now,  when  I  killed 
the  she-bear  this  fall,  with  her  cubs,  though  they  were  so 
mighty  ravenous,  I  knocked  them  over  one  at  a  shot,  and 
loaded  while  I  dodged  the  trees  in  the  bargain ;  but  this  is 
a  very  different  thing,  Mr.  Oliver." 

"  This,"  cried  the  young  man,  with  an  accent  that  sounded 
as  if  he  took  a  bitter  pleasure  in  his  poverty,  wrhile  he  held 
a  shilling  up  before  his  eyes, "  this  is  all  the  treasure  that 
I  possess — this  and  my  rifle  !  *  Now,  indeed,  I  have  become 
a  man  of  the  woods,  and  must  place  my  sole  dependence 
on  the  chase.  Come,  Natty,  let  us  stake  the  last  penny  for 
the  bird  ;  with  your  aim,  it  cannot  fail  to  be  successful." 

"  I  would  rather  it  should  be,  John,  lad  ;  my  heart  jumps 
into  my  mouth,  because  you  set  your  mind  so  much  on't: 
and  I'm  sartainthat  I  shall  miss  the  bird.  Them  Indians  can 


I7o  THE  PIONEFRS. 

shoot  one  time  as  well  as  another  ;  nothing  ever  troubles 
them.  1  say,  John,  here's  a  shilling  ;  take  my  rifle,  and  get 
a  shot  at  the  big  turkey  they've  put  up  at  the  stump.  Mr. 
Oliver  is  over-anxious  for  the  creatur',  and  I'm  sure  to  do 
nothing  when  I  have  over-anxiety  about  it." 

The  Indian  turned  his  head  gloomily,  and  after  looking 
keenly  for  a  moment,  in  profound  silence,  at  his  compan 
ions,  he  replied  : 

"  When  John  was  young,  eyesight  was  not  straighter 
than  his  bullet.  The  Mingo  squaws  cried  out  at  the  sound 
of  his  rifle.  The  Mingo  warriors  were  made  squaws. 
When  did  he  ever  shoot  twice  ?  The  eagle  went  above  the 
clouds  when  he  passed  the  wigwam  of  Chingachgook  ;  his 
feathers  were  plenty  with  the  women.  But  see,"  he  said, 
raising  his  voice  from  the  low,  mournful  tones  in  which  he 
had  spoken  to  a  pitch  of  keen  excitement,  and  stretching 
forth  both  hands,  "  they  shake  like  a  deer  at  the  wolfs 
howl.  Is  John  old  ?  When  was  a  Mohican  a  squaw  with 
seventy  winters  ?  No  !  the  white  man  brings  old  age  with 
him — rum  is  his  tomahawk  !  " 

"Why,  then,  do  you  use  it,  old  man?"  exclaimed  the 
young  hunter  ;  "  why  will  one,  so  noble  by  nature,  aid  the 
devices  of  the  devil  by  making  himself  a  beast  ? " 

"  Beast  I  is  John  a  beast?"  replied  the  Indian,  slowly; 
"  yes  ;  you  say  no  lie,  child  of  the  Fire-eater !  John  is  a 
beast.  The  smokes  were  once  few  in  these  hills.  The 
deer  would  lick  the  hand  of  a  white  man  and  the  birds  rest 
on  his  head.  They  were  strangers  to  him.  My  fathers 
came  from  the  shores  of  the  salt  lake.  They  fled  before 
rum.  They  came  to  their  grandfather,  and  they  lived  in 
peace  ;  or,  when  they  did  raise  the  hatchet,  it  was  to  strike 
it  into  the  brain  of  a  Mingo.  They  gathered  around  the 
council-fire,  and  what  they  said  was  done.  Then  John  was 
a  man.  But  warriors  and  traders  with  light  eyes  followed 
them.  One  brought  the  long  knife  and  one  brought  rum. 
They  were  more  than  the  pines  on  the  mountains  ;  and  they 
broke  up  the  councils  and  took  the  lands.  The  evil  spirit 
was  in  their  jugs,  and  they  tet  him  loose.  Yes,  yes — you 
say  no  lie,  Young  Eagle  ;  John  is  a  Christian  beast." 

**  Forgive  me,  old  warrior,"  cried  the  youth,  grasping 
his  hand  ;  "  I  should  be  the  last  to  reproach  you.  The 
curses  of  Heaven  light  on  the  cupidity  that  has  destroyed 
such  a  race.  Remember,  John,  that  I  am  of  your  family, 
and  it  is  now  my  greatest  pride." 


THE  PIONEERS.  171 

The  muscles  of  Mohegan  relaxed  a  little,  and  he  said, 
more  mildly  : 

"  You  are  a  Delaware,  my  son  ;  your  words  are  not  heard 
— John  cannot  shoot." 

"  I  thought  that  lad  had  Indian  blood  in  him,"  whis- 
pered Richard,  "  by  the  awkward  way  he  handled  my  horses 
last  night.  You  see,  coz,  they  never  use  harness.  But  the 
poor  fellow  shall  have  two  shots  at  the  turkey,  if  he  wants 
it,  for  I'll  give  him  another  shilling  myself  ;  though,  per- 
haps, I  had  better  offer  to  shoot  for  him.  They  have  got 
up  their  Christmas  sports,  I  find,  in  the  bushes  yonder, 
where  you  hear  the  laughter — though  it  is  a  queer  taste 
this  chap  has  for  turkey  ;  not  but  what  it  is  good  eating, 
too." 

"  Hold,  Cousin  Richard,"  exclaimed  Elizabeth,  clinging 
to  his  arm  ;  "  would  it  be  delicate  to  offer  a  shilling  to  that 
gentleman  ? " 

"  Gentleman,  again  !  do  you  think  a  half-breed,  like  him, 
will  refuse  money  ?  No,  no,  girl,  he  will  take  the  shilling  ; 
ay !  and  even  rum  too,  notwithstanding  he  moralizes  so 
much  about  it.  But  I'll  give  the  lad  a  chance  for  his  tur- 
key ;  for  that  Billy  Kirby  is  one  of  the  best  marksmen  in 
the  country  ;  that  is,  if  we  except  the — the  gentleman." 

"  Then,"  said  Elizabeth,  who  found  her  strength  unequal 
to  her  will,  "then,  sir,  I  will  speak."  She  advanced,  with 
an  air  of  determination,  in  front  of  her  cousin,  and  entered 
the  little  circle  of  bushes  that  surrounded  the  trio  of  hunt- 
ers. Her  appearance  startled  the  youth,  who  at  first  made 
an  unequivocal  motion  toward  retiring,  but,  recollecting 
himself,  bowed,  by  lifting  his  cap,  and  resumed  his  attitude 
of  leaning  on  his  rifle.  Neither  Natty  nor  Mohegan  be- 
trayed any  emotion,  though  the  appearance  of  Elizabeth 
was  so  entirely  unexpected. 

"I  find,"  she  said,  "that  the  old  Christmas  sport  of 
shooting  the  turkey  is  yet  in  use  among  you.  I  feel  inclined 
to  try  my  chance  for  a  bird.  Which  of  you  will  take  this 
money,  and  after  paying  my  fee,  give  me  the  aid  of  his 
rifle?" 

"  Is  this  a  sport  for  a  lady  ?  "  exclaimed  the  young  hunt- 
er, with  an  emphasis  that  could  not  well  be  mistaken,  and 
with  a  rapidity  that  showed  he  spoke  without  consulting 
anything  but  feeling. 

"Why  not,  sir  ?  If  it  be  inhuman,  the  sin  is  not  confined 
to  one  sex  only.  But  I  have  my  humor  as  well  as  others, 


172  THE  PIONEERS. 

I  ask  not  your  assistance,  but " — turning  to  Natty,  and 
dropping  a  dollar  in  his  hand — "  this  old  veteran  of  the 
forest  will  not  be  so  ungallant  as  to  refuse  one  fire  for  a 
lady." 

Leather-Stocking  dropped  the  money  into  his  pouch,  and 
throwing  up  the  end  of  his  rifle,  he  freshened  his  priming  ; 
and  first  laughing  in  his  usual  manner,  he  threw  the  piece 
over  his  shoulder,  and  said  : 

"  If  Billy  Kirby  don't  get  the  bird  before  me,  and  the 
Frenchman's  powder  don't  hang  fire  this  damp  morning, 
you'll  see  as  fine  a  turkey  dead,  in  a  few  minutes,  as  ever 
was  eaten  in  the  Judge's  shanty.  I  have  know'd  the  Dutch 
women,  on  the  Mohawk  and  Schoharie,  count  greatly  on 
coming  to  the  merry-makings  ;  and  so,  lad,  you  shouldn't 
be  short  with  the  lady.  Come,  let  us  go  forward,  for  if 
we  wait  the  finest  bird  will  be  gone." 

"  But  I  have  a  right  before  you,  Natty,  and  shall  try  on 
my  own  luck  first.  You  will  excuse  me,  Miss  Temple  ;  I 
have  much  reason  to  wish  that  bird,  and  may  seem  ungal- 
lant, but  I  must  claim  my  privileges." 

"  Claim  anything  that  is  justly  your  own  sir,"  returned 
the  lady  ;  "  we  are  both  adventurers  ;  and  this  is  my  knight. 
I  trust  my  fortune  to  his  hand  and  eye.  Lead  on,  Sir 
Leather-Stocking,  and  we  will  follow." 

Natty,  who  seemed  pleased  with  the  frank  address  of  the 
young  and  beauteous  Elizabeth,  who  had  so  singularly  in- 
trusted him  with  such  a  commission,  returned  the  bright 
smile  with  which  she  had  addressed  him,  by  his  own  pecu- 
liar mark  of  mirth,  and  moved  across  the  snow,  toward  the 
spot  whence  the  sounds  of  boisterous  mirth  proceeded,  with 
the  long  strides  of  a  hunter.  His  companions  followed  in 
silence,  the  youth  casting  frequent  and  uneasy  glances 
toward  Elizabeth,  who  was  detained  by  a  motion  from 
Richard. 

"I  should  think,  Miss  Temple,"  he  said,  so  soon  as  the 
others  were  out  of  hearing,  "  that  if  you  really  wished  a 
turkey,  you  would  not  have  taken  a  stranger  for  the  office, 
and  such  a  one  as  Leather-Stocking.  But  I  can  hardly 
believe  that  you  are  serious,  for  I  have  fifty,  at  this  mo- 
ment, shut  up  in  the  coops,  in  every  stage  of  fat,  so  that 
you  might  choose  any  quality  you  pleased.  There  are  six 
that  I  am  trying  an  experiment  on,  by  giving  them  brick' 
bats  with " 

"  Enough,  Cousin  Dickon,"  interrupted  the  lady  ;  "  I  do 


THE  PIONEERS.  173 

wish  the  bird,  and  it  is  because  I  so  wish,  that  I  commis- 
sioned this  Mr.  Leather-Stocking." 

"  Did  you  ever  hear  of  the  great  shot  that  I  made  at  the 
wolf,  Cousin  Elizabeth,  who  was  carrying  off  your  father's 
sheep?"  said  Richard,  drawing  himself  up  into  an  air  of 
displeasure.  "  He  had  the  sheep  on  his  back  ;  and,  had 
the  head  of  the  wolf  been  on  the  other  side,  I  should  have 
killed  him  dead  ;  as  it  was " 

"  You  killed  the  sheep — I  know  it  all,  dear  coz.  But 

would  it  have  been  decorous  for  the  High  Sheriff  of 

to  mingle  in  such  sports  as  these  ?  " 

"  Surely  you  did  not  think  that  I  intended  actually  to 
fire  with  my  own  hands?  "said  Mr.  Jones.  "  But  let  us 
follow,  and  see  the  shooting.  There  is  no  fear  of  anything 
unpleasant  occurring  to  a  female  in  this  new  country,  es- 
pecially to  your  father's  daughter,  and  in  my  presence." 

"  My  father's  daughter  fears  nothing,  sir,  more  especially 
when  escorted  by  the  highest  executive  officer  in  the 
county." 

She  took  his  arm,  and  he  led  her  through  the  mazes  of 
the  bushes  to  the  spot  where  most  of  the  young  men  of 
the  village  were  collected  for  the  sports  of  shooting  a 
Christmas  match,  and  whither  Natty  and  his  companions 
had  already  preceded  them. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

"  I  guess,  by  all  this  quaint  array, 
The  burghers  hold  their  sports  to-day." — SCOTT. 

THE  ancient  amusement  of  shooting  the  Christmas  tur- 
key is  one  of  the  few  sports  that  the  settlers  of  a  new 
country  seldom  or  never  neglect  to  observe.  It  was  con- 
nected with  the  daily  practices  of  a  people  who  often  laid 
aside  the  axe  or  the  scythe  to  seize  the  rifle,  as  the  deer 
glided  through  the  forests  they  were  felling,  or  the  bear 
entered  their  rough  meadows  to  scent  the  air  of  a  clearing, 
and  to  scan,  with  a  look  of  sagacity,  the  progress  of  the 
invader. 

On  the  present  occasion,  the  usual  amusement  of  the 
day  had  been  a  little  hastened,  in  order  to  allow  a  fair  op- 
portunity to  Mr.  Grant,  whose  exhibition  was  not  less  a 
treat  to  the  young  sportsmen  than  the  one  which  engaged 


174  THE  PIONEERS. 

their  present  attention.  The  owner  of  the  birds  was  a  free 
black,  who  had  prepared  for  the  occasion  a  collection  of 
game  that  was  admirably  qualified  to  inflame  the  appetite 
of  an  epicure,  and  was  well  adapted  to  the  means  and  skill 
of  the  different  competitors,  who  were  of  all  ages.  He 
had  offered  to  the  younger  and  more  humble  marksmen 
divers  birds  of  an  inferior  quality,  and  some  shooting  had 
already  taken  place,  much  to  the  pecuniary  advantage  of 
the  sable  owner  of  the  game.  The  order  of  the  sports  was 
extremely  simple,  and  well  understood.  The  bird  was 
fastened  by  a  string  to  the  stump  of  a  large  pine,  the  side 
of  which,  toward  the  point  where  the  marksmen  were 
placed,  had  been  flattened  with  an  axe,  in  order  that  it 
might  serve  the  purpose  of  a  target,  by  which  the  merit  of 
each  individual  might  be  ascertained.  The  distance  be- 
tween the  stump  and  shooting-stand  was  one  hundred 
measured  yards :  a  foot  more  or  a  foot  less  being  thought 
an  invasion  of  the  right  of  one  of  the  parties.  The  negro 
affixed  his  own  price  to  every  bird,  and  the  terms  of  the 
chance  ;  but,  when  these  were  once  established,  he  was 
obliged,  by  the  strict  principles  of  public  justice  that  pre- 
vailed in  the  country,  to  admit  any  adventurer  who  might 
offer. 

The  throng  consisted  of  some  twenty  or  thirty  young 
men,  most  of  whom  had  rifles,  and  a  collection  of  all  the 
boys  in  the  village.  The  little  urchins,  clad  in  coarse  but 
warm  garments,  stood  gathered  around  the  more  distin- 
guished marksmen,  with  their  hands  stuck  under  their 
waistbands,  listening  eagerly  to  the  boastful  stories  of  skill 
that  had  been  exhibited  on  former  occasions,  and  were  aL 
ready  emulating  in  their  hearts  these  wonderful  deeds  in 
gunnery. 

The  chief  speaker  was  the  man  who  had  been  mentioned 
by  Natty  as  Billy  Kirby.  This  fellow,  whose  occupation, 
when  he  did  labor,  was  that  of  clearing  lands,  or  chopping 
jobs,  was  of  great  stature,  and  carried,  in  his  very  air,  the 
index  of  his  character.  He  was  a  noisy,  boisterous,  reck- 
less lad,  whose  good-natured  eye  contradicted  the  bluntness 
and  bullying  tenor  of  his  speech.  For  weeks  he  would 
lounge  around  the  taverns  of  the  county,  in  a  state  of  per- 
fect idleness,  or  doing  small  jobs  for  his  liquor  and  his  meals, 
and  cavilling  with  applicants  about  the  prices  of  his  labor, 
frequently  preferring  idleness  to  an  abatement  of  a  little 
of  his  independence,  or  a  cent  in  his  wages.  But,  when 


THE  PIONEERS.  175 

these  embarrassing  points  were  satisfactorily  arranged,  he 
would  shoulder  his  axe  and  his  rifle,  slip  his  arms  through 
the  straps  of  his  pack,  and  enter  the  woods  with  the  tread  of 
a  Hercules.  His  first  object  was  to  learn  his  limits,  round 
which  he  would  pace,  occasionally  freshening,  with  a  blow 
of  his  axe,  the  marks  on  the  boundary  trees  ;  and  then  he 
would  proceed,  with  an  air  of  great  deliberation,  to  the 
centre  of  his  premises,  and,  throwing  aside  his  superfluous 
garments,  measure,  with  a  knowing  eye,  one  or  two  of  the 
nearest  trees  that  were  towering  apparently  into  the  very 
clouds  as  he  gazed  upward.  Commonly  selecting  one  of 
the  most  noble  for  the  first  trial  of  his  power,  he  would 
approach  it  with  a  listless  air,  whistling  a  low  tune  ;  and 
wielding  his  axe  with  a  certain  flourish,  not  unlike  the 
salutes  of  a  fencing-master,  he  would  strike  a  light  blow 
into  the  bark,  and  measure  his  distance.  The  pause  that 
followed  was  ominous  of  the  fall  of  the  forest  which  had 
flourished  there  for  centuries.  The  heavy  and  brisk  blows 
that  he  struck  were  soon  succeeded  by  the  thundering  re- 
port of  the  tree,  as  it  came,  first  cracking  and  threatening, 
with  the  separation  of  its  own  last  ligaments,  then  threshing 
and  tearing  with  its  branches  the  tops  of  its  surrounding 
brethren,  and  finally  meeting  the  ground  with  a  shock 
but  little  inferior  to  an  earthquake.  From  that  moment 
the  sounds  of  the  axe  were  ceaseless,  while  the  falling  of  the 
trees  was  like  a  distant  cannonading  ;  and  the  daylight 
broke  into  the  depths  of  the  woods  with  the  suddenness  of 
a  winter  morning. 

For  days,  weeks,  nay  months,  Bill  Kirby  would  toil  with 
an  ardor  that  evinced  his  native  spirit,  and  with  an  effect 
that  seemed  magical,  until,  his  chopping  being  ended,  his 
stentorian  lungs  could  be  heard  emitting  sounds,  as  he 
called  to  his  patient  oxen,  which  rang  through  the  hills 
like  the  cries  of  an  alarm.  He  had  been  often  heard,  on  a 
mild  summer's  evening,  a  long  mile  across  the  vale  of 
Ternpleton  ;  when  the  echoes  from  the  mountains  would 
take  up  his  cries,  until  they  died  away  in  the  feeble  sounds 
from  the  distant  rocks  that  overhung  the  lake.  His  piles, 
or  to  use  the  language  of  the  country,  his  logging,  ended, 
with  a  despatch  that  could  only  accompany  his  dexterity 
and  herculean  strength,  the  jobber  would  collect  together 
his  implements  of  labor,  light  the  heaps  of  timber,  and 
march  away  under  the  blaze  of  the  prostrate  forest,  like  the 
conqueror  of  some  city,  who,  having  first  prevailed  over 


176  THE  PIONEERS. 

his  adversary,  applies  the  torch  as  the  finishing  blow  ta 
his  conquest.  For  a  long  time  Billy  Kirby  would  then  be, 
seen  sauntering  around  the  taverns,  the  rider  of  scrub- 
races,  the  bully  of  cock-fights,  and  not  unfrequently  the 
hero  of  such  sports  as  the  one  in  hand. 

Between  him  and  the  Leather-Stocking  there  had  long 
existed  a  jealous  rivalry  on  the  point  of  skill  with  the  rifle. 
Notwithstanding  the  long  practice  of  Natty,  it  was  com- 
monly supposed  that  the  steady  nerves  and  the  quick  eye  of 
the  wood-chopper  rendered  him  his  equal.  The  competi- 
tion had,  however,  been  confined  hitherto  to  boasting,  and 
comparisons  made  from  their  success  in  various  hunting 
excursions  ;  but  this  was  the  first  time  they  had  ever  come 
in  open  collision.  A  good  deal  of  higgling  about  the  price 
of  the  choicest  bird  had  taken  place  between  Billy  Kirby 
and  its  owner  before  Natty  and  his  companions  rejoined 
the  sportsmen.  It  had,  however,  been  settled  at  one  shil- 
ling* a  shot,  which  was  the  highest  sum  ever  exacted, 
the  black  taking  care  to  protect  himself  from  losses,  as 
much  as  possible,  by  the  conditions  of  the  sport.  The  tur- 
key was  already  fastened  at  the  "  mark,"  but  its  body  was 
entirely  hid  by  the  surrounding  snow,  nothing  being  visi- 
ble but  its  red  swelling  head  and  its  long  neck.  If  the 
bird  was  injured  by  any  bullet  that  struck  below  the  snow, 
it  was  to  continue  the  property  of  its  present  owner  ;  but, 
if  a  feather  was  touched  in  a  visible  part,  the  animal  be- 
came the  prize  of  the  successful  adventurer. 

These  terms  were  loudly  proclaimed  by  the  negro,  who 
was  seated  in  the  snow,  in  a  somewhat  hazardous  vicinity 
to  his  favorite  bird,  when  Elizabeth  and  her  cousin  ap- 
proached the  noisy  sportsmen.  The  sounds  of  mirth  and 
contention  sensibly  lowered  at  this  unexpected  visit  ;  but, 
after  a  moment's  pause,  the  curious  interest  exhibited  in 
the  face  of  the  young  lady,  together  with  her  smiling  air, 
restored  the  freedom  of  the  morning  ;  though  it  was  some- 
what chastened,  both  in  language  and  vehemence,  by  the 
presence  of  such  a  spectator. 

"  Stand  out  of  the  way  there,  boys  !  "  cried  the  wood- 
chopper,  who  was  placing  himself  at  the  shooting-point 

*  Before  the  Revolution,  each  province  had  its  own  money  of  account, 
though  neither  coined  any  but  copper  pieces.  In  New  York  the  Spanish 
dollar  was  divided  into  eight  shillings,  each  of  the  value  of  a  fraction  more 
than  sixpence  sterling.  At  present  the  Union  has  provided  a  decimal  sys- 
tem, with  coins  to  represent  it. 


THE  PIONEERS.  175 

— "  stand  out  of  the  way,  you  little  rascals,  or  I  will  shoot 
^through  you.  Now,  Brom,  take  leave  of  your  turkey." 

"Stop!  "cried  the  young  hunter;  "I  am  a  candidate 
for  a  chance.  Here  is  my  shilling,  Brom  ;  I  wish  a  shot 
too." 

"You  may  wish  it  in  welcome,"  cried  Kirby,  "but  if  I 
ruffle  the  gobbler's  feathers,  how  are  you  to  get  it  ?  Is 
money  so  plenty  in  your  deer-skin  pocket,  that  you  pay 
for  a  chance  that  you  may  never  have  ? " 

"  How  know  you,  sir,  how  plenty  money  is  in  my 
pocket  ?  "  said  the  youth,  fiercely.  "  Here  is  my  shilling, 
Brom,  and  I  claim  a  right  to  shoot." 

"Don't  be  crabbed,  my  boy,"  said  the  other,  who  was 
very  coolly  fixing  his  flint.  "They  say  you  have  a  hole  in 
your  left  shoulder,  yourself,  so  I  think  Brom  may  give 
you  a  fire  for  half-price.  It  will  take  a  keen  one  to  hit 
that  bird,  I  can  tell  you,  my  lad,  even  if  I  give  you  a 
chance,  which  is  what  I  have  no  mind  to  do." 

"  Don't  be  boasting,  Billy  Kirby,"  said  Natty,  throwing 
the  breech  of  his  rifle  into  the  snow,  and  leaning  on  its 
barrel  ;  "  you'll  get  but  one  shot  at  the  creater,  for  if  the 
lad  misses  his  aim,  which  wouldn't  be  a  wonder  if  he  did, 
with  his  arm  so  stiff  and  sore,  you'll  find  a  good  piece  and 
an  old  eye  coming  a'ter  you.  Maybe  it's  true  that  I  can't 
shoot  as  I  used  to  could,  but  a  hundred  yards  is  a  short  dis- 
tance for  a  long  rifle." 

"What,  old  Leather-Stocking,  are  you  out  this  morn- 
ing?" cried  his  reckless  opponent.  "Well,  fair  play's  a 
.jewel.  I've  the  lead  of  you,  old  fellow  ;  so  here  goes  for 
a  dry  throat  or  a  good  dinner." 

The  countenance  of  the  negro  evinced  not  only  all  the 
interest  which  his  pecuniary  adventure  might  occasion, 
but  also  the  keen  excitement  that  the  sport  produced  in 
the  others,  though  with  a  very  different  wish  as  to  the  re- 
sult. While  the  wood-chopper  was  slowly  and  steadily 
raising  his  rifle,  he  bawled  : 

"  Fair  play,  Billy  Kirby — stand  back — make  'em  stand 
back,  boys — gib  a  nigger  fair  play — poss-up,  gobbler  ; 
shake  a  head,  fool ;  don't  you  see  'em  taking  aim  ? " 

These  cries,  which  were  intended  as  much  to  distract 
the  attention  of  the  marksman  as  for  anything  else,  were 
fruitless. 

The  nerves  of  the  wood-chopper  were  not  '  so  easily 
shaken,  and  he  took  his  aim  with  the  utmost  delibera- 


178  THE  PIONEERS. 

lion.  Stillness  prevailed  for  a  moment,  and  he  fired.  The 
head  of  the  turkey  was  seen  to  dash  on  one  side,  and  its 
wings  were  spread  in  momentary  fluttering ;  but  it  set- 
tled itself  down  calmly  into  its  bed  of  snow,  and  glanced 
its  eyes  uneasily  around.  For  a  time  long  enough  to  draw 
a  deep  breath,  not  a  sound  was  heard.  The  silence  was 
then  broken  by  the  noise  of  the  negro,  who  laughed,  and 
shook  his  body  with  all  kinds  of  antics,  rolling  over  in 
the  snow  in  the  excess  of  delight. 

"  Well  done,  a  gobbler,"  he  cried,  jumping  up  and  af- 
fecting to  embrace  his  bird  ;  "  I  tell  'em  to  poss-up,  and 
you  see  'em  dodge.  Gib  anoder  shillin',  Billy,  and  hab 
anoder  shot." 

"No — the  shot  is  mine,"  said  the  young  hunter  ;  "you 
have  my  money  already.  Leave  the  mark,  and  let  me  try 
my  luck." 

"  Ah  !  it's  but  money  thrown  away,  lad,"  said  Leather- 
Stocking.  "  A  turkey's  head  and  neck  is  but  a  small 
mark  for  a  new  hand  and  a  lame  shoulder.  You'd  best 
let  me  take  the  fire,  and  may  be  we  can  make  some  settle- 
ment with  the  lady  about  the  bird." 

"The  chance  is  mine,"  said  the  young  hunter.  "Clear 
the  ground,  that  I  may  take  it." 

The  discussions  and  disputes  concerning  the  last  shot 
were  now  abating,  it  having  been  determined  that  if  the 
turkey's  head  had  been  anywhere  but  just  where  it  was  at 
that  moment,  the  bird  must  certainly  have  been  killed. 
There  was  not  much  excitement  produced  by  the  prepara- 
tions of  the  youth,  who  proceeded  in  a  hurried  manner, 
to  take  his  aim,  and  was  in  the  act  of  pulling  the  trigger, 
when  he  was  stopped  by  Natty. 

"  Your  hand  shakes,  lad,"  he  said,  "and  you  seem  over- 
eager.  Bullet  wounds  are  apt  to  weaken  flesh,  and  to  my 
judgment  you'll  not  shoot  so  well  as  in  common.  If  you 
will  fire,  you  should  shoot  quick,  before  there  is  time  to 
shake  off  the  aim." 

"  Fair  play,"  again  shouted  the  negro  ;  "fair  play — gib 
a  nigger  fair  play.  What  right  a  Nat  Bumppo  advise  a 
young  man  ?  Let  'em  shoot — clear  a  ground." 

The  youth  fired  with  great  rapidity,  but  no  motion  was 
made  by  the  turkey  ;  and,  when  the  examiners  for  the  baK 
returned  from  the  "mark,"  they  declared  that  he  had  missed 
the  stump. 

Elizabeth  observed  the  change  in  his  countenance,  and 


THE  PIONEERS. 


179 


could  not  help  feeling  surprise,  that  one  so  evidently  su- 
perior to  his  companions  should  feel  a  trifling  loss  so  sen- 
sibly. But  her  own  champion  was  now  preparing  to  enter 
the  lists. 

The  mirth  of  Brom,  which  had  been  again  excited, 
though  in  a  much  smaller  degree  than  before,  by  the  fail- 
ure of  the  second  adventurer,  vanished  the  instant  Natty 
took  his  stand.  His  skin  became  mottled  with  large  brown 
spots,  that  fearfully  sullied  the  lustre  of  his  native  ebony, 
while  his  enormous  lips  gradually  compressed  around  two 
rows  of  ivory  that  had  hitherto  been  shining  in  his  visage 
like  pearls  set  in  jet.  His  nostrils,  at  all  times  the  most 
conspicuous  feature  of  his  face,  dilated,  until  they  covered 
the  greater  part  of  the  diameter  of  his  countenance  ;  while 
his  brown  and  bony  hands  unconsciously  grasped  the  snow- 
crust  near  him,  the  excitement  of  the  moment  completely 
overcoming  his  native  dread  of  cold. 

While  these  indications  of  apprehension  were  exhibited 
in  the  sable  owner  of  the  turkey  the  man  who  gave  rise 
to  this  extraordinary  emotion  was  as  calm  and  collected  as 
if  there  was  not  to  be  a  single  spectator  of  his  skill. 

"  I  was  down  in  the  Dutch  settlements  on  the  Schoharie," 
said  Natty,  carefully  removing  the  leather  guard  from  the 
lock  of  his  rifle,  "just  before  the  breaking  out  of  the  last 
war,  and  there  was  a  shooting- match  among  the  boys  ;  so 
I  took  a  hand.  I  think  I  opened  a  good  many  Dutch  eyes 
that  day  ;  for  I  won  the  powder-horn,  three  bars  of  lead, 
and  a  pound  of  as  good  powder  as  ever  flashed  in  pan. 
Lord  !  how  they  did  swear  in  Jarman  !  They  did  tell  me 
of  one  drunken  Dutchman  who  said  he'd  have  the  life  of 
me  before  I  gpt  back  to  the  lake  ag'in.  But  if  he  had  put 
his  rifle  to  his  shoulder  with  evil  intent  God  would  have 
punished  him  for  it ;  and  even  if  the  Lord  didn't,  and  he 
had  missed  his  aim,  I  know  one  that  would  have  given  him 
as  good  as  he  sent,  and  better  too,  if  good  shooting  could 
come  into  the  'count." 

By  this  time  the  old  hunter  was  ready  for  his  business, 
and  throwing  his  right  leg  far  behind  him,  and  stretching 
his  left  arm  along  the  barrel  of  his  piece,  he  raised  it 
toward  the  bird.  Every  eye  glanced  rapidly  from  the  marks- 
man to  the  mark  ;  but  at  the  moment  when  each  ear  was 
expecting  the  report  of  the  rifle,  they  were  disappointed  by 
the  ticking  sound  of  the  flint. 

"  A  snap,  a  snap  !  "  shouted  the  negro,  springing  from 


i8o  THE  PIONEERS. 

his  crouching  posture  like  a  madman,  before  his  bird.  "  A 
snap  good  as  fire — Natty  Bumppo  gun  he  snap — Natty 
Bumppo  miss  a  turkey  !  " 

"  Natty  Bumppo  hit  a  nigger,"  said  the  indignant  old 
hunter,  "  if  you  don't  get  out  of  the  way,  Brom.  It's  con- 
trary to  the  reason  of  the  thing,  boy,  that  a  snap  should 
count  for  a  fire,  when  one  is  nothing  more  than  afire-stone 
striking  a  steel  pan,  and  the  other  is  sudden  death  ;  so  get 
out  of  my  way,  boy,  and  let  me  show  Billy  Kirby  how  to 
shoot  a  Christmas  turkey." 

"  Gib  a  nigger  fair  play  !  "  cried  the  black,  who  con- 
tinued resolutely  to  maintain  his  post,  and  making  that 
appeal  to  the  justice  of  his  auditors,  which  the  degraded 
condition  of  his  caste  so  naturally  suggested.  "  Eberybody 
know  dat  snap  as  good  as  fire.  Leab  it  to  Massa  Jone — 
leab  it  to  lady." 

"  Sartain,"  said  the  wood-chopper  ;  "  it's  the  law  of  the 
game  in  this  part  of  the  country,  Leather-Stocking.  If  you 
fire  ag'in  you  must  pay  up  the  other  shilling.  I  b'lieve  I'll 
try  luck  once  more  myself  ;  so,  Brom,  here's  my  money, 
and  I  take  the  next  fire." 

"  It's  likely  you  know  the  laws  of  the  woods  better  than 
I  do,  Billy  Kirby,"  returned  Natty.  "  You  come  in  with 
the  settlers,  with  an  ox-goad  in  your  hand,  and  I  come  in 
with  moccasins  on  my  feet,  and  with  a  good  rifle  on  my 
shoulders,  so  long  back  as  afore  the  old  war.  Which  is 
likely  to  know  the  best  ?  I  say  no  man  need  tell  me  that 
snapping  is  as  good  as  firing  when  I  pull  the  trigger." 

"Leab  it  to  Massa  Jone,"  said  the  alarmed  negro  ;  "he 
know  eberyting." 

This  appeal  to  the  knowledge  of  Richard  was  too  flatter- 
ing to  be  unheeded.  He  therefore  advanced  a  little  from 
the  spot  whither  the  delicacy  of  Elizabeth  had  induced 
her  to  withdraw,  and  gave  the  following  opinion,  with  the 
gravity  that  the  subject  and  his  own  rank  demanded  : 

"There  seems  to  be  a  difference  in  opinion,"  he  said, 
i:  on  the  subject  of  Nathaniel  Bumppo's  right  to  shoot  at 
Abraham  Freeborn's  turkey  without  the  said  Nathaniel 
paying  one  shilling  for  the  privilege."  The  fact  was  too 
evident  to  be  denied,  and  after  pausing  a  moment,  that  the 
audience  might  digest  his  premises,  Richard  proceeded. 
"  It  seems  proper  that  I  should  decide  this  question,  as  I 
am  bound  to  preserve  the  peace  of  the  county  ;  and  men 
with  deadly  weapons  in  their  hands  should  not  be  heed- 


THE  PIONEERS.  i8i 

lessly  left  to  contention,  and  their  own  malignant  passions. 
It  appears  that  there  was  no  agreement,  either  in  writing 
or  in  words,  on  the  disputed  point  ;  therefore  we  must 
reason  from  analogy,  which  is,  as  it  were,  comparing  one 
thing  with  another.  Now,  in  duels,  where  both  parties 
shoot,  it  is  generally  the  rule  that  a  snap  is  a  fire  ;  and  if 
such  is  the  rule  where  the  party  has  a  right  to  fire  back 
again,  it  seems  to  me  unreasonable  to  say  that  a  man  may 
stand  snapping  at  a  defenceless  turkey  all  day.  I  there- 
fore am  of  the  opinion  that  Nathaniel  Bumppo  has  lost 
his  chance,  and  must  pay  another  shilling  before  he  renews 
his  right." 

As  this  opinion  came  from  so  high  a  quarter,  and  was 
delivered  with  effect,  it  silenced  all  murmurs — for  the  whole 
of  the  spectators  had  begun  to  take  sides  with  great  warmth 
/  — except  from  the  Leather-Stocking  himself. 

"  I  think  Miss  Elizabeth's  thoughts  should  be  taken," 
said  Natty.  "I've  known  the  squaws  give  very  good 
counsel  when  the  Indians  had  been  dumbfounded.  If  she 
says  that  I  ought  to  lose,  I  agree  to  give  it  up." 

"  Then  I  adjudge  you  to  be  a  loser  for  this  time,"  said 
Miss  Temple;  "but  pay  your  money  and  renew  youi 
chance  ;  unless  Brom  will  sell  me  the  bird  for  a  dollar. 
I  will  give  him  the  money,  and  save  the  life  of  the  poor 
victim." 

This  proposition  was  evidently  but  little  relished  by  any 
of  the  listeners,  even  the  negro  feeling  the  evil  excitement 
of  the  chances.  In  the  meanwhile,  as  Billy  Kirby  was  pre- 
paring himself  for  another  shot,  Natty  left  the  stand,  with 
an  extremely  dissatisfied  manner,  muttering  : 

"  There  hasn't  been  such  a  thing  as  a  good  flint  sold  at 
'the  foot  of  the  lake  since  the  Indian  traders  used  to  come 
into  the  country  ;  and,  if  a  body  should  go  into  the  flats 
along  the  streams  in  the  hills  to  hunt  for  such  a  thing,  it's 
ten  to  one  but  they  will  be  all  covered  up  with  the  plough. 
Heigho  !  it  seems  to  me  that  just  as  the  game  grows  scarce, 
and  a  body  wants  the  best  ammunition  to  get  a  livelihood, 
everything  that's  bad  falls  on  him  like  a  judgment.  But 
I'll  change  the  stone,  for  Billy  Kirby  hasn't  the  eye  for  such 
a  mark,  I  know." 

The  wood-chopper  seemed  now  entirely  sensible  that 
his  reputation  depended  on  his  care  ;  nor  did  he  neglect 
any  means  to  insure  success.  He  drew  up  his  rifle,  and 
renewed  his  aim  again  and  again,  still  appearing  reluctan? 


1 82  THE  PIONEERS. 

to  fire.  No  sound  was  heard  from  even  Brom,  during  these 
portentous  movements,  until  Kirby  discharged  his  piece, 
with  the  same  want  of  success  as  before.  Then,  indeed, 
the  shouts  of  the  negro  rang  through  the  bushes,  and 
sounded  among  the  trees  of  the  neighboring  forest  like 
the  outcries  of  a  tribe  of  Indians.  He  laughed,  rolling  his 
head  first  on  one  side,  then  on  the  other,  until  nature 
seemed  exhausted  with  mirth.  He  danced  until  his  legs 
were  wearied  with  motion  in  the  snow  ;  and,  in  short,  he 
exhibited  all  that  violence  of  joy  that  characterizes  the 
mirth  of  a  thoughtless  negro. 

The  wood-chopper  had  exerted  all  his  art,  and  felt  a 
proportionate  degree  of  disappointment  at  the  failure. 
He  first  examined  the  bird  with  the  utmost  attention,  and 
more  than  once  suggested  that  he  had  touched  its  feathers  ; 
but  the  voice  of  the  multitude  was  against  him,  for  it  felt 
disposed  to  listen  to  the  often-repeated  cries  of  the  black 
to  "  gib  a  nigger  fair  play." 

Finding  it  impossible  to  make  out  a  title  to  the  bird, 
Kirby  turned  fiercely  to  the  black  and  said  : 

"  Shut  your  oven,  you  crow  !  Where  is  the  man  that 
can  hit  a  turkey's  head  at  a  hundred  yards  ?  I  was  a  fool 
for  trying.  You  needn't  make  an  uproar,  like  a  falling 
pine-tree,  about  it.  Show  me  the  man  who  can  do  it." 

"Look  this  a-way,  Billy  Kirby,"  said  Leather-Stocking, 
"and  let  them  clear  the  mark,  and  I'll  show  you  a  man 
who's  made  better  shots  afore  now,  and  that  when  he's 
been  hard  pressed  by  the  savages  and  wild  beasts." 

"  Perhaps  there  is  one  whose  rights  come  before  ours, 
Leather-Stocking,"  said  Miss  Temple ;  "  if  so,  we  will 
waive  our  privilege." 

"  If  it  be  me  that  you  have  reference  to,"  said  the  young 
hunter,  "  I  shall  decline  another  chance.  My  shoulder  is 
yet  weak,  I  find." 

Elizabeth  regarded  his  manner,  and  thought  that  she 
could  discern  a  tinge  on  his  cheek  that  spoke  the  shame  of 
conscious  poverty.  She  said  no  more,  but  suffered  her 
own  champion  to  make  a  trial.  Although  Natty  Bumppo 
had  certainly  made  hundreds  of  more  momentous  shots  at 
his  enemies  or  his  game,  yet  he  never  exerted  himself  more 
to  excel.  He  raised  his  piece  three  several  times  :  once  to 
get  his  range  ;  once  to  calculate  his  distance  ;  and  once  be- 
cause the  bird,  alarmed  by  the  death-like  stillness,  turned  its 
head  quickly  to  examine  its  foes.  But  the  fourth  time  he 


THE  PIONEERS.  183 

fired.  The  smoke,  the  report,  and  the  momentary  shock, 
prevented  most  of  the  spectators  from  instantly  knowing 
the  result  ;  but  Elizabeth,  when  she  saw  her  champion 
drop  the  end  of  his  rifle  in  the  snow  and  open  his  mouth  in 
one  of  its  silent  laughs,  and  then  proceed  very  coolly  to 
recharge  his  piece,  knew  that  he  had  been  successful. 
The  boys  rushed  to  the  mark,  and  lifted  the  turkey  on 
high,  lifeless,  and  with  nothing  but  the  remnant  of  a  head. 

"  Bring  in  the  creater,"  said  Leather-Stocking,  "  and 
put  it  at  the  feet  of  the  lady.  I  was  her  deputy  in  the 
matter,  and  the  bird  is  her  property." 

"  And  a  good  deputy  you  have  proved  yourself,"  returned 
Elizabeth — "  so  good,  Cousin  Richard,  that  I  would  advise 
you  to  remember  his  qualities."  She  paused,  and  the 
gayety  that  beamed  on  her  face  gave  place  to  a  more  seri- 
ous earnestness.  She  even  blushed  a  little  as  she  turned  to 
the  young  hunter,  and  with  the  charm  of  a  woman's  man- 
ner, added :  "  But  it  was  only  to  see  an  exhibition  of  the  far- 
famed  skill  of  Leather-Stocking,  that  I  tried  my  fortunes. 
Will  you,  sir,  accept  the  bird  as  a  small  peace-offering  for 
the  hurt  that  prevented  your  own  success  ?" 

The  expression  with  which  the  youth  received  this  pres- 
ent was  indescribable.  He  appeared  to  yield  to  the  bland- 
ishment of  her  air,  in  opposition  to  a  strong  inward  impulse 
to  the  contrary.  He  bowed,  and  raised  the  victim  silently 
from  her  feet,  but  continued  silent. 

Elizabeth  handed  the  black  a  piece  of  silver  as  a  remun- 
eration for  his  loss,  which  had  some  effect  in  again  unbend- 
ing his  muscles,  and  then  expressed  to  her  companion  her 
readiness  to  return  homeward. 

"Wait  a  minute,  Cousin  Bess,"  cried  Richard  ;  "there 
is  an  uncertainty  about  the  rules  of  this  sport  that  it  is 
proper  I  should  remove.  If  you  will  appoint  a  committee, 
gentlemen,  to  wait  on  me  this  morning,  I  will  draw  up  in 

writing  a  set  of  regulations "  He  stopped,  with  some 

indignation,  for  at  that  instant  a  hand  was  laid  familiarly 
on  the  shoulder  of  the  High  Sheriff  of . 

"  A  merry  Christmas  to  you,  Cousin  Dickon,"  said  Judge 
Temple,  who  had  approached  the  party  unperceived  :  "  I 
must  have  a  vigilant  eye  to  my  daughter,  sir,  if  you  are  to 
be  seized  daily  with  these  gallant  fits.  I  admire  the  taste 
which  would  introduce  a  lady  to  such  scenes  !  " 

"  It  is  her  own  perversity,  'duke,"  cried  the  disappointed 
sheriff,  who  felt  the  loss  of  the  first  salutation  as  grievously 


1 84  THE  PIONEERS. 

as  many  a  man  would  a  much  greater  misfortune  ;  "  and  1 
must  say  that  she  comes  honestly  by  it.  I  led  her  out  to 
show  her  the  improvements,  but  away  she  scampered, 
through  the  snow,  at  the  first  sound  of  fire-arms,  the  same 
as  if  she  had  been  brought  up  in  a  camp,  instead  of  a  first 
rate  boarding-school.  I  do  think,  Judge  Temple,  that  such 
dangerous  amusements  should  be  suppressed,  by  statute  ; 
nay,  I  doubt  whether  they  are  not  already  indictable  at 
common  law." 

"Well,  sir,  as  you  are  sheriff  of  the  county,  it  becomes 
your  duty  to  examine  into  the  matter,"  returned  the  smil- 
ing Marmaduke.  "  I  perceive  that  Bess  has  executed  her 
commission,  and  I  hope  it  met  with  a  favorable  reception." 
Richard  glanced  his  eye  at  the  packet  which  he  held  in 
his  hand,  and  the  slight  anger  produced  by  disappoint- 
ment vanished  instantly. 

"Ah  !  'duke,  my  dear  cousin,"  he  said,  "step  a  little  on 
one  side  ;  I  have  something  I  would  say  to  you."  Mar- 
maduke complied,  and  the  sheriff  led  him  to  a  little  dis- 
tance in  the  bushes,  and  continued — "  First,  'duke,  let  me 
thank  you  for  your  friendly  interest  with  the  Council  and 
the  Governor,  without  which  I  am  confident  that  the 
greatest  merit  would  avail  but  little.  But  we  are  sisters' 
children — we  are  sisters'  children  ;  and  you  may  use  me 
like  one  of  your  horses  ;  ride  me  or  drive  me,  'duke,  I  am 
wholly  yours.  But  in  my  humble  opinion,  this  young 
companion  of  Leather-Stocking  requires  looking  after. 
He  has  a  very  dangerous  propensity  for  turkey." 

"  Leave  him  to  my  management,  Dickon, "  said  the  Judge, 
"  and  I  will  cure  his  appetite  by  indulgence.  It  is  with 
him  that  I  would  speak.  Let  us  rejoin  the  sportsmen." 


CHAPTER   XVIII. 

"Poor  wretch  !  the  mother  that  him  bare, 
If  she  had  been  in  presence  there, 
In  his  wan  face,  and  sunburnt  hair, 

She  had  not  known  her  child." — SCOTT. 

IT  diminished,  in  no  degree,  the  effect  produced  by  the 
conversation  which  passed  between  Judge  Temple  and  the 
young  hunter,  that  the  former  took  the  arm  of  his  daugh* 


THE  PIONEERS.  185 

ter  and  drew  it  through  his  own,  when  he  advanced  from 
the  spot  whither  Richard  had  led  him  to  that  where  the 
youth  was  standing,  leaning  on  his  rifle,  and  contemplating 
the  dead  bird  at  his  feet.  The  presence  of  Marmaduke 
did  not  interrupt  the  sports,  which  were  resumed  bv  loud 
and  clamorous  disputes  concerning  the  conditions  of  a 
chance  that  involved  the  life  of  a  bird  of  much  inferior 
quality  to  the  last.  Leather-Stocking  and  Mohegan  had 
idone  drawn  aside  to  their  youthful  companion  ;  and,  al- 
though in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  such  a  throng,  the 
following  conversation  was  heard  only  by  those  who  were 
interested  in  it  : 

"I  have  greatly  injured  you,  Mr.  Edwards,"  said  the 
/udge  ;  but  the  sudden  and  inexplicable  start  with  which 
the  person  spoken  to  received  this  unexpected  address, 
caused  him  to  pause  a  moment.  As  no  answer  was  given, 
and  the  strong  emotion  exhibited  in  the  countenance  of 
the  youth  gradually  passed  away,  he  continued  :  "But 
fortunately  it  is  in  some  measure  in  my  power  to  compen- 
sate you  for  what  I  have  done.  My  kinsman,  Richard 
Jones,  has*  received  an  appointment  that  will,  in  future, 
deprive  me  of  his  assistance,  and  leave  me,  just  now,  des- 
titute of  one  who  might  greatly  aid  me  with  his  pen.  Your 
manner,  notwithstanding  appearances,  is  a  sufficient  proof 
of  your  education,  nor  will  thy  shoulder  suffer  thee  to 
labor,  for  some  time  to  come."  (Marmaduke  insensibly 
relapsed  into  the  language  of  the  Friends  as  he  grew 
warm.)  "  My  doors  are  open  to  thee,  my  young  friend, 
ior  in  this  infant  country  we  harbor  no  suspicions  ;  little 
offering  to  tempt  the  cupidity  of  the  evil  disposed.  Be- 
come my  assistant,  for  at  least  a  season,  and  receive  such 
compensation  as  thy  services  will  deserve." 

There  was  nothing  in  the  manner  or  the  offer  of  the 
Judge  to  justify  the  reluctance,  amounting  nearly  to  loath- 
ing, with  which  the  youth  listened  to  his  speech  ;  but, 
after  a  powerful  effort  for  self-command,  he  replied  : 

"  I  would  serve  you,  sir,  or  any  other  man,  for  an  honest 
support,  for  I  do  not  affect  to  conceal  that  my  necessities 
are  very  great,  even  beyond  what  appearances  would  indi- 
cate ;  but  I  am  fearful  that  such  new  duties  would  inter- 
fere too  much  with  more  important  business  ;  so  that  I 
must  decline  your  offer,  and  depend  on  my  rifle,  as  before, 
for  subsistence." 

Richard  here  took  occasion  to  whisper  to  the  young 


186  THE  PIONEERS. 

lady,  who  had  shrunk  a  little  from  the  foreground  of  the 
picture  : 

"  This,  you  see,  Cousin  Bess,  is  the  natural  reluctance  of 
a  half-breed  to  leave  the  savage  state.  Their  attachmenf 
to  a  wandering  life  is,  I  verily  believe,  unconquerable." 

"  It  is  a  precarious  life,"  observed  Marmaduke,  without 
hearing  the  sheriffs  observation,  "  and  one  that  brings 
more  evils  with  it  than  present  suffering.  Trust  me,  young 
friend,  my  experience  is  greater  than  thine,  when  I  tell 
thee,  that  the  unsettled  life  of  these  hunters  is  of  vast  dis- 
advantage for  temporal  purposes,  and  it  totally  removes 
one  from  the  influence  of  more  sacred  things." 

"  No,  no,  Judge,"  interrupted  the  Leather-Stocking,  who 
was  hitherto  unseen,  or  disregarded ;  "  take  him  into  your 
shanty  in  welcome,  but  tell  him  truth.  I  have  lived  in  the 
woods  for  forty  long  years,  and  have  spent  five  at  a  time 
without  seeing  the  light  of  a  clearing  bigger  than  a  window 
in  the  trees  ;  and  I  should  like  to  know  where  you'll  find 
a  man,  in  his  sixty-eighth  year,  who  can  get  an  easier  liv- 
ing, for  all  your  betterments  and  your  deer-laws  ;  and,  as 
for  honesty,  or  doing  what's  right  between  man  and  man, 
I'll  not  turn  my  back  to  the  longest-winded  deacon  on 
your  Patent." 

"  Thou  art  an  exception,  Leather-Stocking,"  returned  the 
Judge,  nodding  good-naturedly  at  the  hunter  ;  "  for  thou 
hast  a  temperance  unusual  in  thy  class,  and  a  hardihood 
exceeding  thy  years.  But  this  youth  is  made  of  materials 
too  precious  to  be  wasted  in  the  forest. — I  entreat  thee  to 
join  my  family,  if  it  be  but  till  thy  arm  is  healed.  My 
daughter  here,  who  is  mistress  of  my  dwelling,  will  tell 
thee  that  thou  art  welcome." 

**  Certainly,"  said  Elizabeth,  whose  earnestness  was  a 
little  checked  by  female  reserve.  "  The  unfortunate 
would  be  welcome  at  any  time,  but  doubly  so  when  we 
feel  that  we  have  occasioned  the  evil  ourselves." 

"Yes,"  said  Richard,  "and  if  you  relish  turkey,  young 
man,  there  are  plenty  in  the  coops,  and  of  the  best  kind, 
I  can  assure  you." 

Finding  himself  thus  ably  seconded,  Marmaduke  pushed 
his  advantage  to  the  utmost.  He  entered  into  a  detail  of 
the  duties  that  would  attend  the  situation,  and  circum- 
stantially mentioned  the  reward,  and  all  those  points 
which  are  deemed  of  importance  among  men  of  business. 
The  youth  listened  in  extreme  agitation.  There  was  an 


THE  PIONEERS.  187 

evident  contest  in  his  feelings  ;  at  times  he  appeared  to 
wish  eagerly  for  the  change,  and  then  again  the  incompre- 
hensible expression  of  disgust  would  cross  his  features, 
like  a  dark  cloud  obscuring  a  noonday  sun. 

The  Indian,  in  whose  manner  the  depression  of  self -abase- 
ment was  most  powerfully  exhibited,  listened  to  the  offers 
ut  the  Judge  with  an  interest  that  increased  with  each 
sellable.  Gradually  he  drew  nigher  to  the  group  ;  and 
when,  with  his  keen  glance,  he  detected  the  most  marked 
evidence  of  yielding  in  the  countenance  of  his  young  com- 
panion, he  changed  at  once  from  his  attitude  and  look  of 
shame  to  the  front  of  an  Indian  warrior,  and  moving,  with 
great  dignity,  closer  to  the  parties,  he  spoke  : 

''Listen  to  your  father,"  he  said;  "  his  words  are  old. 
Let  the  Young  Eagle  and  the  Great  Land  Chief  eat 
together ;  let  them  sleep,  without  fear,  near  each  other. 
The  children  of  Miquon  love  not  blood  :  they  are  just,  and 
will  do  right  The  sun  must  rise  and  set  often,  before 
men  can  make  one  family  ;  it  is  not  the  work  of  a  day, 
but  of  many  winters.  The  Mingoes  and  the  Delawares 
are  born  enemies  ;  their  blood  can  never  mix  in  the  wig- 
Wain  ;  it  never  will  run  in  the  same  stream  in  the  battle. 
What  makes  the  brother  of  Miquon  and  the  Young  Eagle 
foes  ?  They  are  of  the  same  tribe  ;  their  fathers  and 
mothers  are  one.  Learn  to  wait,  my  son  ;  you  are  a  Del- 
aware, and  an  Indian  warrior  knows  how  to  be  patient." 

This  figurative  address  seemed  to  have  great  weight 
with  the  young  man,  who  gradually  yielded  to  the  repre- 
sentations of  Marmaduke,  and  eventually  consented  to  his 
proposal.  It  was,  however,  to  be  an  experiment  only  ; 
and,  if  either  of  the  parties  thought  fit  to  rescind  the  en- 
gagement, it  was  left  at  his  option  so  to  do.  The  remark- 
able and  ill-concealed  reluctance  of  the  youth  to  accept 
of  an  offer,  which  most  men  in  his  situation  would  con- 
sider as  an  unhoped-for  elevation,  occasioned  no  little 
surprise  in  those  to  whom  he  was  a  stranger  ;  and  it  left  a 
slight  impression  to  his  disadvantage.  When  the  parties 
separated,  they  very  naturally  made  the  subject  the  topic 
of  a  conversation,  which  we  shall  relate  ;  first  commenc- 
ing with  the  Judge,  his  daughter,  and  Richard,  who  were 
slowly  pursuing  the  way  back  to  the  mansion-house. 

"  I  have  surely  endeavored  to  remember  the  holy  man- 
dates of  our  Redeemer,  when  he  bids  us  *  love  them  who 
despitefully  use  you,'  in  my  intercourse  with  this  incom- 


188  THE 

prehensible  boy,"  said  Marmaduke.  "  I  know  not  what 
there  is  in  my  dwelling  to  frighten  a  lad  of  his  years,  un-. 
less  it  may  be  thy  presence  and  visage,  Bess." 

"  No,  no,"  said  Richard,  with  great  simplicity,  "it  is 
not  Cousin  Bess.  But  when  did  you  ever  know  a  half- 
breed,  'duke,  who  could  bear  civilization  ?  For  that  mat 
ter,  they  are  worse  than  the  savages  themselves  !  Did  you 
notice  how  knock-kneed  he  stood,  Elizabeth,  and  what  a 
wild  look  he  had  in  his  eyes  ?  "  • 

"  I  heeded  not  his  eyes,  nor  his  knees,  which  would  be 
all  the  better  for  a  little  humbling.  Really,  my  dear  sir,  I 
think  you  did  exercise  the  Christian  virtue  of  patience  to 
the  utmost.  I  was  disgusted  with  his  airs,  long  before  he 
consented  to  make  one  of  our  family.  Truly  we  are  much 
honored  by  the  association  !  In  what  apartment  is  he  to 
be  placed,  sir  ;  and  at  what  table  is  he  to  receive  his  nectar 
and  ambrosia  ? " 

"With  Benjamin  and  Remarkable,"  interrupted  Mr. 
Jones  ;  "  you  surely  would  not  make  the  youth  eat  with 
the  blacks  !  He  is  part  Indian,  it  is  true  ;  but  the  natives 
hold  the  negroes  in  great  contempt.  No,  no  ;  he  would, 
starve  before  he  would  break  a  crust  with  the  negroes." 

"  I  am  but  too  happy,  Dickon,  to  tempt  him  to  eat  with 
ourselves,"  said  Marmaduke,  "  to  think  of  offering  even  the 
indignity  you  propose." 

"  Then,  sir,"  said  Elizabeth,  with  an  air  that  was  slightly 
affected,  as  if  submitting  to  her  father's  orders  in  opposi- 
tion to  her  own  will,  "  it  is  your  pleasure  that  he  be  a  gen- 
tleman." 

"  Certainly  ;  he  is  to  fill  the  station  of  one.  Let  him  re- 
ceive the  treatment  that  is  due  to  his  place,  until  we  find 
him  unworthy  of  it." 

"Well,  well,  'duke,"  cried  the  sheriff,  "you  will  find  it 
no  easy  matter  to  make  a  gentleman  of  him.  The  old 
proverb  says  that  'it  takes  three  generations  to  make  a 
gentleman.'  There  was  my  father  whom  everybody  knew  ; 
my  grandfather  was  an  M.D.,  and  his  father  a  D.D.  ;  and 
his  father  came  from  England,  I  never  could  come  at  the 
truth  of  his  origin  ;  but  he  was  either  a  great  merchant  in 
London,  or  a  great  country  lawyer,  or  the  youngest  son  of 
a  bishop." 

"  Here  is  a  true  American  genealogy  for  you,"  said 
Marmaduke,  laughing.  "  It  does  very  well  till  you  get 
across  the  water,  where,  as  everything  is  obscure,  it  is  cer 


THE  PIONEERS.  183 

tain  to  deal  in  the  superlative.  You  are  sure  that  youi 
English  progenitor  was  great,  Dickon,  whatever  his  pro- 
fession might  have  been  ?" 

"To  be  sure  I  am,"  returned  the  other.  "  I  have  heard 
my  old  aunt  talk  of  him  by  the  month.  We  are  of  a  good 
family,  Judge  Temple,  and  have  never  filled  any  but  hon- 
orable stations  in  life." 

"  I  marvel  that  you  should  be  satisfied  with  so  scanty  a 
provision  of  gentility  in  the  olden  time,  Dickon.  Most  of 
the  American  genealogists  commence  their  traditions,  like 
the  stories  for  children,  with  three  brothers,  taking  especial 
care  that  one  of  the  triumvirate  shall  be  the  progenitor  of 
any  of  the  same  name  who  may  happen  to  be  better  fur- 
nished with  worldly  gear  than  themselves.  But,  here,  all 
are  equal  who  know  how  to  conduct  themselves  with  pro- 
priety ;  and  Oliver  Edwards  comes  into  my  family  on  a 
footing  with  both  the  high  sheriff  and  the  judge." 

"  Well,  'duke,  I  call  this  democracy,  not  republicanism  ; 
but  I  say  nothing ;  only  let  him  keep  within  the  law,  or  I 
shall  show  him  that  the  freedom  of  even  this  country  is 
under  wholesome  restraint." 

"  Surely,  Dickon,  you  will  not  execute  till  I  condemn  ! 
But  what  says  Bess  to  the  new  inmate  ?  We  must  pay  a 
deference  to  the  ladies  in  this  matter,  after  all." 

"  Oh,  sir !  "  returned  Elizabeth,  "  I  believe  I  am  much 
like  a  certain  Judge  Temple  in  this  particular — not  easily 
to  be  turned  from  my  opinion.  But,  to  be  serious,  although 
I  must  think  th~e  introduction  of  a  demi-savage  into  the 
family  a  somewhat  startling  event,  whomsoever  you  think 
proper  to  countenance  may  be  sure  of  my  respect." 

The  Judge  drew  her  arm  more  closely  in  his  own  and 
smiled,  while  Richard  led  the  way  through  the  gate  of  the 
little  court-yard  in  the  rear  of  the  dwelling,  dealing  out 
his  ambiguous  warnings  with  his  accustomed  loquacity. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  foresters — for  the  three  hunters, 
notwithstanding  their  difference  in  character,  well  deserved 
this  common  name — pursued  their  course  along  the  skirts 
of  the  village  in  silence.  It  was  not  until  they  had  reached 
the  lake,  and  were  moving  over  its  frozen  surface  toward 
the  foot  of  the  mountain,  where  the  hut  stood,  that  the 
youth  exclaimed  : 

"  Who  could  have  foreseen  this  a  month  since  !  I  have 
consented  to  serve  Marmaduke  Temple — to  be  an  inmate 
in  the  dwelling  of  the  greatest  enemy  of  my  race  ;  yet 


190  THE  PIONEERS, 

what  better  could  I  do  ?  The  servitude  cannot  be  long; 
and,  when  the  motive  for  submitting  to  it  ceases  to  exist, 
I  will  shake  it  off,  like  the  dust  from  my  feet." 

"  Is  he  a  Mingo,  that  you  will  call  him  enemy  ? "  said 
Mohegan.  "  The  Delaware  warrior  sits  still,  and  waits  the 
time  of  the  Great  Spirit.  He  is  no  woman,  to  cry  out 
like  a  child." 

"  Well,  I'm  mistrustful,  John,"  said  Leather-Stocking,  in 
whose  air  there  had  been,  during  the  whole  business,  a 
strong  expression  of  doubt  and  uncertainty.  "  They  say 
that  there's  new  laws  in  the  land,  and  I'm  sartin  that  there's 
new  ways  in  the  mountains.  One  hardly  knows  the  lakes 
and  streams,  they've  altered  the  country  so  much.  I  must 
say  I'm  mistrustful  of  such  smooth  speakers  ;  for  I've 
known  the  whites  talk  fair  when  they  wanted  the  Indian 
lands  most.  This  I  will  say,  though  I'm  a  wrhite  myself, 
and  was  born  nigh  York,  and  of  honest  parents,  too." 

"  I  will  submit,"  said  the  youth  ;  "I  will  forget  who  I 
am.  Cease  to  remember,  old  Mohegan,  that  I  am  the  de- 
scendant of  a  Delaware  chief,  who  once  was  master  of 
these  noble  hills,  these  beautiful  vales,  and  of  this  water, 
over  which  we  tread.  Yes,  yes" ;  I  will  become  his  bonds- 
man— his  slave.  Is  it  not  an  honorable  servitude,  ^>ld 
man?" 

"  Old  man  !  "  repeated  the  Indian,  solemnly,  and  paus- 
ing in  his  walk,  as  usual,  when  much  excited  ;  "  yes,  John 
is  old.  Son  of  my  brother !  if  Mohegan  was  young,  when 
would  his  rifle  be  still  ?  Where  would  the  deer  hide,  and 
he  not  find  him  ?  But  John  is  old  ;  his  hand  is  the  hand 
of  a  squaw  ;  his  tomahawk  is  a  hatchet  ;  brooms  and 
baskets  are  his  enemies — he  strikes  no  other.  Hunger 
and  old  age  come  together.  See  Hawk-eye  !  when  young, 
he  would  go  days  and  eat  nothing  ;  but  should  he  not  put 
the  brush  on  the  fire  now,  the  blaze  would  go  out.  Take 
the  son  of  Miquon  by  the  hand,  and  he  will  help  you." 

"I'm  not  the  man  I  was,  I'll  own,  Chingachgook,"  re- 
turned the  Leather-Stocking  ;  "  but  I  can  go  without  a 
meal  now,  on  occasion.  When  we  tracked  the  Iroquois 
through  the  '  Beech-woods,'  they  drove  the  game  afore 
them,  for  I  hadn't  a  morsel  to  eat  from  Monday  morning 
come  Wednesday  sundown  ;  and  then  I  shot  as  fat  a  buck, 
on  the  Pennsylvany  line,  as  ever  mortal  laid  eyes  on.  It 
would  have  done  your  heart  good  to  have  seen  the  Dela 
ware  eat  ;  for  I  was  out  scouting  and  skrimmaging  with 


THE  PIONEERS.  T9! 

their  tribe  at  the  time.  Lord  \  Xhe  Indians,  lad,  lay  still, 
and  just  waited  till  Providence  should  send  them  their 
game  ;  but  I  foraged  about,  and  put  a  deer  up,  and  put 
him  down  too,  afore  he  had  made  a  dozen  jumps.  I  was 
too  weak  and  too  ravenous  to  stop  for  his  flesh  ;  so  I  took 
a  good  drink  of  his  blood,  and  the  Indians  ate  of  his 
meat  raw.  John  was  there,  and  John  knows.  But  then 
starvation  would  be  apt  to  be  too  much  for  me  now,  I  will 
own,  though  I'm  no  great  eater  at  any  time." 

"  Enough  is  said,  my  friend,"  cried  the  youth.  "  I  feel 
that  everywhere  the  sacrifice  is  required  at  my  hands,  and 
it  shall  be  made  ;  but  say  no  more,  I  entreat  you ;  I  can- 
not bear  this  subject  now." 

His  companions  were  silent  ;  and  they  soon  reached  the 
hut,  which  they  entered,  after  removing  certain  compli- 
cated and  ingenious  fastenings,  that  were  put  there  ap- 
parently to  guard  a  property  of  but  very  little  value.  Im- 
mense piles  of  snow  lay  against  the  log  walls  of  this 
secluded  habitation,  on  one  side  ;  while  fragments  of  small 
trees,  and  branches  of  oak  and  chestnut,  that  had  been 
torn  from  their  parent  stems  by  the  winds,  were  thrown 
into  a  pile  on  the  other.  A  small  column  of  smoke  rose 
through  a  chimney  of  sticks,  cemented  with  clay,  along  the 
side  of  the  rock,  and  had  marked  the  snow  above  with  its 
dark  tinges,  in  a  wavy  line,  from  the  point  of  emission  to 
another,  where  the  hill  receded  from  the  brow  of  a  preci- 
pice, and  held  a  soil  that  nourished  trees  of  a  gigantic 
growth,  that  overhung  the  little  bottom  beneath. 

The  remainder  of  the  day  passed  off  as  such  days  are 
commonly  spent  in  a  new  country.  The  settlers  thronged 
to  the  academy  again,  to  witness  the  second  effort  of  Mr. 
Grant  ;  and  Mohegan  was  one  of  his  hearers.  But,  not- 
withstanding the  divine  fixed  his  eyes  intently  on  the  In- 
dian when  he  invited  his  congregation  to  advance  to  the 
table,  the  shame  of  last  night's  abasement  was  yet  too 
keen  in  the  old  chief  to  suffer  him  to  move. 

When  the  people  were  dispersing,  the  clouds  that  had 
been  gathering  all  the  morning  were  dense  and  dirty,  and 
before  half  of  the  curious  congregation  had  reached  their 
different  cabins,  that  were  placed  in  every  glen  and  hollow 
of  the  mountains,  or  perched  on  the  summits  of  the  hills 
themselves,  the  rain  was  falling  in  torrents.  The  dark 
edges  of  the  stumps  began  to  exhibit  themselves,  as  the 
snow  settled  rapidly  ;  the  fences  of  logs  and  brush,  which 


192  THE  PIONEERS. 

before  had  been  only  traced  by  long  lines  of  white  mounds, 
that  ran  across  the  valley  and  up  the  mountains,  peeped 
out  from  their  covering,  and  the  black  stubs  were  momen* 
tarily  becoming  more  distinct,  as  large  masses  of  snow  and 
ice  fell  trom  their  sides,  under  the  influence  of  the  thaw. 

Sheltered  in  the  warm  hall  of  her  father's  comfortable 
mansion,  Elizabeth,  accompanied  by  Louisa  Grant,  looked 
abroad  with  admiration  at  the  ever-varying  face  of  things 
without.  Even  the  village,  which  had  just  before  been 
glittering  with  the  color  of  the  frozen  element,  reluctantly 
dropped  its  mask,  and  the  houses  exposed  their  dark  roofs 
and  smoked  chimneys.  The  pines  shook  off  the  covering 
of  snow,  and  everything  seemed  to  be  assuming  its  proper 
hue,  with  a  transition  that  bordered  on  the  supernatural. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

"And  yet,  poor  Edwin  was  no  vulgar  boy." — BEATTIE. 

THE  close  of  Christmas-day,  A.  D.  1793,  was  tempestuous, 
but  comparatively  warm.  When  darkness  had  again  hid 
the  objects  in  the  village  from  the  gaze  of  Elizabeth,  she 
turned  from  the  window,  where  she  had  remained  while 
the  least  vestige  of  light  lingered  over  the  tops  of  the  dark 
pines,  with  a  curiosity  that  was  rather  excited  than  ap- 
peased by  the  passing  glimpses  of  woodland  scenery  that 
she  had  caught  during  the  day. 

With  her  arm  locked  in  that  of  Miss  Grant,  the  young 
mistress  of  the  mansion  walked  slowly  up  and  down  the 
hall,  musing  on  scenes  that  were  rapidly  recurring  to  her 
memory,  and  possibly  dwelling,  at  times,  in  the  sanctuary 
of  her  thoughts,  on  the  strange  occurrences  that  had  led 
to  the  introduction  to  her  father's  family  of  one  whose 
manners  so  singularly  contradicted  the  inferences  to  be 
drawn  from  his  situation.  The  expiring  heat  of  the  apart- 
ment— for  its  great  size  required  a  day  to  reduce  its  tem- 
perature— had  given  to  her  cheeks  a  bloom  that  exceeded 
their  natural  color,  while  the  mild  and  melancholy  features 
of  Louisa  were  brightened  with  a  faint  tinge,  that,  like  the 
hectic  of  disease,  gave  a  painful  interest  to  her  beauty. 

The  eyes  of  the  gentlemen,  who  were  yet  seated  around 
the  rich  wines  of  Judge  Temple,  frequently  wandered  fron? 


THE  PIONEERS.  193 

the  table,  that  was  placed  at  one  end  of  the  hall,  to  the 
forms  that  were  silently  moving  over  its  length.  Much 
mirth,  and  that,  at  times,  of  a  boisterous  kind,  proceeded 
from  the  mouth  of  Richard  ;  but  Major  Hartmann  was  not 
yet  excited  to  his  pitch  of  merriment,  and  Marmaduke  re- 
spected the  presence  of  his  clerical  guest  too  much  to  in- 
dulge in  even  the  innocent  humor  that  formed  no  small 
ingredient  in  his  character. 

Such  were,  and  such  continued  to  be,  the  pursuits  of  the 
party,  for  half  an  hour  after  the  shutters  were  closed,  and 
candles  were  placed  in  various  parts  of  the  hall,  as  substi- 
tutes for  departing  daylight.  The  appearance  of  Benja- 
min, staggering  under  the  burden  of  an  armful  of  wood, 
was  the  first  interruption  to  the  scene. 

"  How  now,  Master  Pump  !  "  roared  the  newly  appointed 
sheriff  ;  "  is  there  not  warmth  enough  in  'duke's  best  Ma- 
deira to  keep  up  the  animal  heat  through  this  thaw  ?  Re- 
member, old  boy,  that  the  Judge  is  particular  with  his 
beech  and  maple,  beginning  to  dread  already  a  scarcity  of 
the  precious  articles.  Ha !  ha  !  ha  !  'duke,  you  are  a  good, 
warm-hearted  relation,  I  will  own,  as  in  duty  bound,  but 
you  have  some  queer  notions  about  you,  after  all.  *  Come, 
let  us  be  jolly,  and  cast  away  folly.'  " 

The  notes  gradually  sank  into  a  hum,  while  the  major- 
domo  threw  down  his  load,  and,  turning  to  his  interroga- 
tor with  an  air  of  earnestness,  replied  : 

"Why,  look  you,  Squire  Dickon,  mayhap  there's  a 
warm  latitude  round  about  the  table  there,  thof  it's  not 
the  stuff  to  raise  the  heat  in  my  body,  nether  ;  the  raal 
Jamaiky  being  the  only  thing  to  do  that,  besides  good 
wood,  or  some  such  matter  as  Newcastle  coal.  But,  if  I 
know  anything  of  the  weather,  d'ye  see,  it's  time  to  be 
getting  all  snug,  and  for  putting  the  ports  in  and  stirring 
the  fires  a  bit.  Mayhap  I've  not  followed  the  seas  twenty- 
seven  years,  and  lived  another  seven  in  these  here  woods, 
for  nothing,  gemmen." 

"  Why,  does  it  bid  fair  for  a  change  in  the  weather, 
Benjamin  ?"  inquired  the  master  of  the  house. 

"There's  a  shift  of  wind,  your  honor,"  returned  the 
steward  ;  "and  when  there's  a  shift  of  wind,  you  may  look 
for  a  change  in  this  here  climate.  I  was  aboard  of  one 
of  Rodney's  fleet,  dy'e  see,  about  the  time  we  licked  De 
Grasse,  Mounsheer  Lor  Quaw's  countryman,  there  ;  and 
the  wind  was  here  at  the  south'ard  and  east'ard ;  and  I  was 
13 


TQ4  THE  PIONEERS. 

below,  mixing  a  toothful  of  hot  stuff  for  the  captain  of 
marines,  who  dined,  d'ye  see,  in  the  cabin,  that  there  very 
same  day  ;  and  I  suppose  he  wanted  to  put  out  the  cap- 
tain's fire  with  a  gunroom  ingyne  ;  and  so,  just  as  I  got  it 
to  my  own  liking,  after  tasting  pretty  often,  for  the  soldier 
was  difficult  to  please,  slap  came  the  foresail  ag'in  the 
mast,  whiz  went  the  ship  round  on  her  heel,  like  a  whirl- 
igig. And  a  lucky  thing  was  it  that  our  helm  was  down  ; 
for  as  she  gathered  starnway  she  paid  off,  which  was  more 
than  every  ship  in  the  fleet  did,  or  could  do.  But  she 
strained  herself  in  the  trough  of  the  sea,  and  she  shipped 
a  deal  of  water  over  her  quarter.  *  I  never  swallowed  so 
much  clear  water  at  a  time  in  my  life  as  I  did  then,  for  I 
was  locking  up  the  after-hatch  at  the  instant." 

"  I  wonder,  Benjamin,  that  you  did  not  die  with  a 
dropsy  !  "  said  Marmaduke. 

"  I  mought,  Judge,"  said  the  old  tar,  with  a  broad  grin  ; 
"  but  there  was  no  need  of  the  med'cine  chest  for  a  cure  ; 
for,  as  I  thought  the  brew  was  spoilt  for  the  marine's  taste, 
and  there  was  no  telling  when  another  sea  might  come 
and  spoil  it  for  mine,  I  finished  the  mug  on  the  spot.  So 
then  all  hands  was  called  to  the  pumps,  and  there  we  be- 
gan to  ply  the  pumps " 

"Well,  but  the  weather?"  interrupted  Marmaduke; 
"what  of  the  weather  without  doors  ?  " 

"  Why,  here  the  wind  has  been  all  day  at  the  south,  and 
now  there's  a  lull,  as  if  the  last  blast  was  out  of  the  bel- 
lows ;  and  there's  a  streak  along  the  mountains,  to  the 
north'ard,  that,  just  now,  wasn't  wider  than  the  bigness  of 
your  hand  ;  and  then  the  clouds  drive  afore  it  as  you'd 
brail  a  mainsail,  and  the  stars  are  heaving  in  sight,  like  so 
many  lights  and  beacons,  put  there  to  warn  us  to  pile  on 
the  wood  ;  and,  if  so  be  that  I'm  a  judge  of  weather,  it's 
getting  to  be  time  to  build  on  a  fire ;  or  you'll  have  half  of 
them  there  porter  bottles,  and  them  dimmy-johns  of  wine, 
in  the  locker  here,  breaking  with  the  frost,  afore  the  morn- 
ing watch  is  called." 

"Thou  art  a  prudent  sentinel,"  said  the  Judge.  "Act 
thy  pleasure  with  the  forests,  for  this  night  at  least" 

Benjamin  did  as  he  was  ordered  ;  nor  had  two  hours 
elapsed,  before  the  prudence  of  his  precautions  became 
very  visible.  The  south  wind  had,  indeed,  blown  itself 
out,  and  it  was  succeeded  by  the  calmness  that  usually 
gave  warning  of  a  serious  change  in  the  weather.  Long 


THE  PIONEERS.  195 

before  the  family  retired  to  rest,  the  cold  had  become  cut- 
tingly severe  ;  and  when  Monsieur  Le  Quoi  sallied  forth 
under  a  bright  moon,  to  seek  his  own  abode,  he  was  com- 
pelled to  beg  a  blanket,  in  which  he  might  envelop  his 
form,  in  addition  to  the  numerous  garments  that  his  sag- 
acity had  provided  for  the  occasion.  The  divine  and  his 
daughter  remained  as  inmates  of  the  mansion-house  dur- 
ing the  night,  and  the  excess  of  last  night's  merriment  in- 
duced the  gentlemen  to  make  an  early  retreat  to  their 
several  apartments.  Long  before  midnight,  the  whole 
family  were  invisible. 

Elizabeth  and  her  friend  had  not  yet  lost  their  senses  in 
sleep,  and  the  howlings  of  the  northwest  wind  were  heard 
around  the  buildings,  and  brought  with  them  that  exquisite 
sense  of  comfort  that  is  ever  excited  under  such  circum- 
stances, in  an  apartment  where  the  fire  has  not  yet  ceased 
to  glimmer,  and  curtains,  and  shutters,  and  feathers,  unite 
to  preserve  the  desired  temperature.  Once,  just  as  her 
eyes  had  opened,  apparently  in  the  last  stage  of  drowsi- 
ness, the  roaring  winds  brought  with  them  a  long  and 
plaintive  howl,  that  seemed  too  wild  for  a  dog,  and  yet 
resembled  the  cries  of  that  faithful  animal,  when  night 
awakens  his  vigilance,  and  gives  sweetness  and  solemnity 
to  its  charms.  The  form  of  Louisa  Grant  instinctively 
pressed  nearer  to  that  of  the  young  heiress,  who,  finding 
her  companion  was  yet  awake,  said,  in  a  low  tone,  as  if 
afraid  to  break  a  charm  with  her  voice  : 

"  Those  distant  cries  are  plaintive,  and  even  beautiful. 
Can  they  be  the  hounds  from  the  hut  of  Leather-Stock- 
ing?" 

"  They  are  wolves,  who  have  ventured  from  the  mount- 
ain, on  the  lake,"  whispered  Louisa,  "  and  who  are  only 
kept  from  the  village  by  the  lights.  One  night,  since  we 
have  been  here,  hunger  drove  them  to  our  very  door.  Oh, 
what  a  dreadful  night  it  was  !  But  the  riches  of  Judge 
Temple  have  given  him  too  many  safeguards,  to  leave 
room  for  fear  in  this  house." 

"The  enterprise  of  Judge  Temple  is  taming  the  very 
forests  ! "  exclaimed  Elizabeth,  throwing  off  the  covering, 
and  partly  rising  in  the  bed.  "  How  rapidly  is  civilization 
treading  on  the  foot  of  Nature  !  "  she  continued,  as  her  eye 
glanced  over,  not  only  the  comforts,  but  the  luxuries  of 
her  apartment,  and  her  ear  again  listened  to  the  distant, 
but  often  repeated  howls  from  the  lake.  Finding,  how- 


lg6  THE  PIONEERS. 

ever,  that  the  timidity  of  her  companion  rendered  the 
sounds  painful  to  her/ Elizabeth  resumed  her  place,  and 
soon  forgot  the  changes  in  the  country,  with  those  in  her 
own  condition,  in  a  deep  sleep. 

The  following  morning,  the  noise  of  the  female  servant, 
who  entered  the  apartment  to  light  the  fire,  awoke  the  fe- 
males. They  arose,  and  finished  the  slight  preparations  of 
their  toilets  in  a  clear,  cold  atmosphere,  that  penetrated 
through  all  the  defences  of  even  Miss  Temple's  warm  room. 
When  Elizabeth  was  attired,  she  approached  a  window 
and  drew  its  curtain,  and  throwing  open  its  shutters,  she 
endeavored  to  look  abroad  on  the  village  and  the  lake. 
But  a  thick  covering  of  frost  on  the  glass,  while  it  ad- 
mitted the  light,  shut  out  the  view.  She  raised  the  sash, 
and  then,  indeed,  a  glorious  scene  met  her  delighted  eye. 

The  lake  had  exchanged  its  covering  of  unspotted  snow 
for  a  face  of  dark  ice,  that  reflected  the  rays  of  the  rising 
sun  like  a  polished  mirror.  The  houses  were  clothed  in 
a  dress  of  the  same  description,  but  which,  owirtg  to  its 
position,  shone  like  bright  steel ;  while  the  enormous  ici- 
cles that  were  pendent  from  every  roof,  caught  the  bril- 
liant light,  apparently  throwing  it  from  one  to  the  other, 
as  each  glittered,  on  the  side  next  the  luminary,  with  a 
golden  lustre  that  melted  away,  on  its  opposite,  into  the 
dusky  shades  of  a  background.  But  it  was  the  appear- 
ance of  the  boundless  forests  that  covered  the  hills  as  they 
rose,  in  the  distance,  one  over  the  other,  that  most  at- 
tracted the  gaze  of  Miss  Temple.  The  huge  branches  of 
the  pines  and  hemlocks  bent  with  the  weight  of  the  ice 
they  supported,  while  their  summits  rose  above  the  swell- 
ing tops  of  the  oaks,  beeches,  and  maples,  like  spires  of 
burnished  silver  issuing  from  domes  of  the  same  mate- 
rial. The  limits  of  the  view,  in  the  west,  were  marked  by 
an  undulating  outline  of  bright  light,  as  if,  reversing  the 
order  of  nature,  numberless  suns  might  momentarily  be 
expected  to  heave  above  the  horizon.  In  the  foreground 
of  the  picture,  along  the  shores  of  the  lake,  and  near  to 
the  village,  each  tree  seemed  studded  with  diamonds.  Even 
the  sides  of  the  mountains  where  the  rays  of  the  sun  could 
not  yet  fall,  were  decorated  with  a  glassy  coat,  that  pre- 
sented every  gradation  of  brilliancy,  from  the  first  touch 
of  the  luminary  to  the  dark  foliage  of  the  hemlock,  glisten- 
ing through  its  coat  of  crystal.  In  short,  the  whole  view 
was  one  scene  of  quivering  radiancy,  as  lake,  mountains^ 


THE  PIONEERS.  197 

village,  and  woods,  each  emitted  a  portion  of  light,  tinged 
with  its  peculiar  hue,  and  varied  by  its  position  and  its 
magnitude. 

"  See  !  "  cried  Elizabeth — "  see,  Louisa  ;  hasten  to  the 
window,  and  observe  the  miraculous  change  !" 

Miss  Grant  complied  ;  and,  after  bending  for  a  moment 
in  silence  from  the  opening,  she  observed,  in  a  low  tone, 
as  if  afraid  to  trust  the  sound  of  her  voice  : 

"  The  change  is  indeed  wonderful !  I  am  surprised  that 
he  should  be  able  to  effect  it  so  soon." 

Elizabeth  turned  in  amazement,  to  hear  so  skeptical  a 
sentiment  from  one  educated  like  her  companion  ;  but 
was  surprised  to  find  that,  instead  of  looking  at  the  view, 
the  mild  blue  eyes  of  Miss  Grant  were  dwelling  on  the 
form  of  a  well-dressed  young  man,  who  was  standing  be- 
fore the  door  of  the  building,  in  earnest  conversation  with 
her  father.  A  second  look  was  necessary  before  she  was 
able  to  recognize  the  person  of  the  young  hunter,  in  a 
plain,  but  assuredly  the  ordinary,  garb  of  a  gentleman. 

"  Everything  in  this  magical  country  seems  to  bordei 
on  the  marvellous,"  said  Elizabeth  ;  "and,  among  all  the 
changes,  this  is  certainly  not  the  least  wonderful.  The 
actors  are  as  unique  as  the  scenery." 

Miss  Grant  colored  and  drew  in  her  head. 

"I  am  a  simple  country  .girl,  Miss  Temple,  and  I  am 
afraid  you  will  find  me  but  a  poor  companion,"  she  said. 
"  I — I  am  not  sure  that  I  understand  all  you  say.  But  I 
really  thought  that  you  wished  me  to  notice  the  alteration 
in  Mr.  Edwards.  Is  it  not  more  wonderful  when  we  recol- 
lect his  origin  ?  They  say  he  is  part  Indian." 

"  He  is  a  genteel  savage  ;  but  let  us  go  down,  and  give 
the  sachem  his  tea ;  for  I  suppose  he  is  a  descendant  of 
King  Philip,  if  not  a  grandson  of  Pocahontas." 

The  ladies  were  met  in  the  hall  by  Judge  Temple,  who 
took  his  daughter  aside  to  apprise  her  of  that  alteration  in 
the  appearance  of  their  new  inmate,  with  which  she  was 
already  acquainted. 

"  He  appears  reluctant  to  converse  on  his  former  situa- 
tion," continued  Marmaduke  ;  "but  I  gathered  from  his 
discourse,  as  is  apparent  from  his  manner,  that  he  has  seen 
better  days  ;  and  I  am  really  inclining  to  the  opinion  of 
Richard,  as  to  his  origin  ;  for  it  was  no  unusual  thing  for 
the  Indian  agents  to  rear  their  children  in  a  laudable  man- 
ner, and ;' 


198  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  Very  well,  my  dear  sir,"  interrupted  his  daughter, 
laughing  and  averting  her  eyes  ;  "  it  is  all  well  enough,  I 
dare  say  ;  but,  as  I  do  not  understand  a  word  of  the  Mo- 
hawk language,  he  must  be  content  to  speak  English  ;  and 
as  for  his  behavior,  I  trust  to  your  discernment  to  control 
it." 

"  Ay  !  but,  Bess,"  cried  the  judge,  detaining  her  gently 
by  the  hand,  "  nothing  must  be  said  to  him  of  his  past  life. 
This  he  has  begged  particularly  of  me,  as  a  favor.  He  is, 
perhaps,  a  little  soured,  just  now,  with  his  wounded  arm; 
the  injury  seems  very  light,  and  another  time  he  may  bs 
more  communicative." 

"  Oh  i  I  am  not  much  troubled,  sir,  with  that  laudable 
thirst  after  knowledge  that  is  called  curiosity.  I  shall  be- 
lieve him  to  be  the  child  of  Corn-stalk,  or  Corn-planter,  or 
some  other  renowned  chieftain  ;  possibly  of  the  Big  Snake 
himself ;  and  shall  treat  him  as  such  until  he  sees  fit  to 
shave  his  good-looking  head,  borrow  some  half-dozen  pair 
of  my  best  earrings,  shoulder  his  rifle  again,  and  disap- 
pear as  suddenly  as  he  made  his  entrance.  So  conje,  my 
dear  sir,  and  let  us  not  forget  the  rites  of  hospitality,  for 
the  short  time  he  is  to' remain  with  us."  , 

Judge  Temple  smiled  at  the  playfulness  of  his  child,  and 
taking  her  arm  they  entered  the  breakfast  parlor,  where 
the  young  hunter  was  seated,  with  an  air  that  showed  his 
determination  to  domesticate  himself  in  the  family  with  as 
little  parade  as  possible. 

Such  were  the  incidents  that  led  to  this  extraordinary 
increase  in  the  family  of  Judge  Temple,  where,  having 
once  established  the  youth,  the  subject  of  our  tale  requires 
us  to  leave  him  for  a  time,  to  pursue  with  diligence  and 
intelligence  the  employments  that  were  assigned  him  by 
Marmaduke. 

Major  Hartmann  made  his  customary  visit,  and  took  his 
leave  of  the  party  for  the  next  three  months.  Mr.  Grant 
was  compelled  to  be  absent  most  of  his  time,  in  remote 
parts  of  the  country,  and  his  daughter  became  almost  a 
constant  visitor  at  the  mansion-house.  Richard  entered, 
with  his  constitutional  eagerness,  on  the  duties  of  his  new 
office  ;  and,  as  Marmaduke  was  much  employed  with  the 
constant  applications  of  adventures  for  farms,  the  winter 
passed  swiftly  away.  The  lake  was  the  principal  scene  for 
the  amusements  of  the  young  people  ;  where  the  ladies,  in 
their  one-horse  cutter,  driven  by  Richard,  and  attended, 


THE  PIONEERS.  199 

when  the  snow  would  admit  of  it,  by  young  Edwards,  on 
his  skates,  spent  many  hours,  taking  the  benefit  of  exercise 
in  the  clear  air  of  the  hills.  The  reserve  of  the  youth 
gradually  gave  way  to  time  and  his  situation,  though  it 
was  still  evident,  to  a  close  observer,  that  he  had  frequent 
moments  of  bitter  and  intense  feeling. 

Elizabeth  saw  many  large  openings  appear  in  the  sides 
of  the  mountains  during  the  three  succeeding  months, 
where  different  settlers  had,  in  the  language  of  the  country, 
"  made  their  pitch  ; "  while  the  numberless  sleighs  that 
passed  through  the  village,  loaded  with  wheat  and  barrels 
of  potashes,  afforded  a  clear  demonstration  that  all  these 
labors  were  not  undertaken  in  vain.  In  short,  the  whole 
country  was  exhibiting  the  bustle  of  a  thriving  settlement, 
where  the  highways  were  thronged  with  sleighs,  bearing 
piles  of  rough  household  furniture  ;  studded,  here  and 
there,  with  the  smiling  faces  of  women  and  children,  happy 
in  the  excitement  of  novelty ;  or,  with  loads  of  produce, 
hastening  to  the  common  market  at  Albany,  that  served  as 
so  many  snares  to  induce  the  emigrants  to  enter  into  those 
wild  mountains  in  search  of  competence  and  happiness. 

The  village  was  alive  with  business,  the  artisans  in- 
creasing in  wealth  with  the  prosperity  of  the  country,  and 
each  day  witnessing  some  nearer  approach  to  the  manners 
and  usages  of  an  old-settled  town.  The  man  who  carried 
the  mail  or  "  the  post,"  as  he  was  called,  talked  much  of 
running  a  stage,  and,  once  or  twice  during  the  winter,  he 
was  seen  taking  a  single  passenger,  in  his  cutter,  through 
the  snow-banks,  toward  the  Mohawk,  along  which  a  regu- 
lar vehicle  glided,  semi-weekly,  with  the  velocity  of  light- 
ning, and  under  the  direction  of  a  knowing  whip  from  the 
"  down  countries."  Toward  spring,  divers  families,  who 
had  been  into  the  "old  States"  to  see  their  relatives,  re- 
turned in  time  to  save  the  snow,  frequently  bringing  with 
them  whole  neighborhoods,  who  were  tempted  by  their 
representations  to  leave  the  farms  of  Connecticut  and  Mas- 
sachusetts, to  make  a  trial  of  fortune  in  the  woods. 

During  all  this  time,  Oliver  Edwards,  whose  sudden  ele- 
vation excited  no  surprise  in  that  changeful  country,  was 
earnestly  engaged  in  the  service  of  Marmaduke,  during 
the  days  ;  but  his  nights  were  often  spent  in  the  hut  of 
Leather-Stocking.  The  intercourse  between  the  three 
hunters  was  maintained  with  a  certain  air  of  mystery,  it  is 
true,  but  with  much  zeal  and  apparent  interest  to  all  the 


200  THE  PIONEERS. 

parties.  Even  Mohegan  seldom  came  to  the  mansion- 
house,  and  Natty,  never  ;  but  Edwards  sought  every  leisure 
moment  to  visit  his  former  abode,  from  which  he  would 
often  return  in  the  gloomy  hours  of  night,  through  the 
snow,  or,  if  detained  beyond  the  time  at  which  the  family 
retired  to  rest,  with  the  morning  sun.  These  visits  certain- 
ly excited  much  speculation  in  those  to  whom  they  were 
known,  but  no  comments  were  made,  excepting  occasion- 
ally, in  whispers  from  Richard,  who  would  say  : 

"  It  is  not  at  all  remarkable  ;  a  half-breed  can  never^be 
weaned  from  the  savage  ways — and,  for  one  of  his  lineage, 
the  boy  is  much  nearer  civilization  than  could,  in  reason, 
be  expected." 


CHAPTER  XX. 

"  Away  !  nor  let  me  loiter  in  my  song, 
For  we  have  many  a  mountain-path  to  tread." — BYRON. 

As  the  spring  gradually  approached,  the  immense  piles 
of  snow  that,  by  alternate  thaws  and  frosts,  and  repeated 
storms,  had  obtained  a  firmness  which  threatened  a  tire- 
some durability,  began  to  yield  to  the  influence  of  milder 
breezes  and  a  warmer  sun.  The  gates  of  heaven  at  times 
seemed  to  open,  and  a  bland  air  diffused  itself  over  the 
earth,  when  animate  and  inanimate  nature  would  awaken, 
and,  for  a  few  hours,  the  gayety  of  spring  shone  in  every 
eye,  and  smiled  on  every  field.  But  the  shivering  blasts 
from  the  north  would  carry  their  chill  influence  over  the 
scene  again,  and  the  dark  and  gloomy  clouds  that  inter- 
cepted the  rays  of  the  sun  were  not  more  cold  and  dreary 
than  the  reaction.  These  struggles  between  the  seasons 
became  daily  more  frequent,  while  the  earth,  like  a  victim 
to  contention,  slowly  lost  the  animated  brilliancy  of  winter, 
without  obtaining  the  aspect  of  spring. 

Several  weeks  were  consumed  in  this  cheerless  manner, 
during  which  the  inhabitants  of  the  country  gradually 
changed  their  pursuits  from  the  social  and  bustling  move- 
ments of  the  time  of  snow,  to  the  laborious  and  domestic 
engagements  of  the  coming  season.  The  village  was  no 
longer  thronged  with  visitors  ;  the  trade  that  had  enlivened 
the  shops  for  several  months,  began  to  disappear  ;  the 


THE  PIONEERS.  201 

highways  lost  their  shining  coats  of  beaten  snow  in  im- 
passable sloughs,  and  were  deserted  by  the  gay  and  noisy 
travellers  who,  in  sleighs,  had,  during  the  winter,  glided 
along  their  windings  ;  and,  in  short,  everything  seemed 
indicative  of  a  mighty  change,  not  only  in  the  earth,  but 
in  those  who  derived  their  sources  of  comfort  and  happi- 
ness from  its  bosom. 

The  younger  members  of  the  family  in  the  mansion- 
house,  of  which  Louisa  Grant  was  now  habitually  one, 
were  by  no  means  indifferent  observers  of  these  fluctuating 
and  tardy  changes.  While  the  snow  rendered  the  roads 
passable,  they  had  partaken  largely  in  the  amusements  of 
the  winter,  which  included  not  only  daily  rides  over  the 
mountains,  and  through  every  valley  within  twenty  miles 
of  them,  but  divers  ingenious  and  varied  sources  of  pleas- 
ure, on  the  bosom  of  their  frozen  lake.  There  had  been 
excursions  in  the  equipage  of  Richard,  when  with  his 
four  horses  he  had  outstripped  the  winds,  as  it  flew  over 
the  glassy  ice  which  invariably  succeeded  a  thaw.  Then 
the  exciting  and  dangerous  "  whirligig  "  would  be  suffered 
to  possess  its  moment  of  notice.  Cutters,  drawn  by  a 
single  horse,  and  handsleds,  impelled  by  the  gentlemen  on 
skates,  would  each  in  turn  be  used  ;  and,  in  short,  every 
source  of  relief  against  the  tediousness  of  a  winter  in  the 
mountains  was  resorted  to  by  the  family.  Elizabeth  was 
compelled  to  acknowledge  to  her  father,  that  the  season, 
with  the  aid  of  his  library,  was  much  less  irksome  than 
she  had  anticipated. 

As  exercise  in  the  open  air  was  in  some  degree  neces- 
sary to  the  habits  of  the  family,  when  the  constant  recur- 
rence of  frosts  and  thaws  rendered  the  roads,  which  were 
dangerous  at  the  most  favorable  times,  utterly  impassable 
for  wheels,  saddle-horses  were  used  as  substitutes  for  other 
conveyances.  Mounted  on  small  and  sure-footed  beasts, 
the  ladies  would  again  attempt  the  passages  of  the  moun- 
tains, and  penetrate  into  every  retired  glen,  where  the 
enterprise  of  a  settler  had  induced  him  to  establish  him- 
self. In  these  excursions  they  were  attended  by  some  one 
or  all  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  family,  as  their  different 
pursuits  admitted.  Young  Edwards  was  hourly  becoming 
more  familiarized  to  his  situation,  and  not  unfrequently 
mingled  in  the  parties  with  an  unconcern  and  gayety  that 
for  a  short  time  would  expel  all  unpleasant  recollections 
from  his  mind.  Habit,  and  the  buoyancy  of  youth,  seemed 


202  THE  PIONEERS. 

to  be  getting  the  ascendency  over  the  secret  causes  of  his 
uneasiness  ;  though  there  were  moments  when  the  same 
remarkable  expression  of  disgust  would  cross  his  inter- 
course with  Marmaduke,  that  had  distinguished  their  con- 
versations in  the  first  days  of  their  acquaintance. 

It  was  at  the  close  of  the  month  of  March,  that  the 
sheriff  succeeded  in  persuading  his  cousin  and  her  young 
friend  to  accompany  him  in  a  ride  to  a  hill  that  was  said 
to  overhang  the  lake  in  a  manner  peculiar  to  itself. 

"  Besides,  Cousin  Bess,"  continued  the  indefatigable 
Richard,  "we  will  stop  and  see  the  'sugar  bush'  of  Billy 
Kirby  ;  he  is  on  the  east  end  of  the  Ransom  lot,  making 
sugar  for  Jared  Ransom.  There  is  not  a  better  hand  over 
a  kettle  in  the  county  than  that  same  Kirby.  You  re- 
member, 'duke,  that  I  had  him  his  first  season  in  our 
camp  ;  and  it  is  not  a  wonder  that  he  knows  something  of 
his  trade." 

"  He's  a  good  chopper,  is  Billy,"  observed  Benjamin, 
who  held  the  bridle  of  the  horse  while  the  sheriff  mounted  ; 
"and  he  handles  an  axe  much  the  same  as  a  forecastle- 
man  does  his  marling-spike,  or  a  tailor  his  goose.  They 
say  he'll  lift  a  potash  kettle  off  the  arch  alone,  tho'  I  can't 
say  that  I've  ever  seen  him  do  it  with  my  own  eyes  ;  but 
that  is  the  say.  And  I've  seen  sugar  of  his  making,  which, 
maybe,  wasn't  as  white  as  an  old  top-gallant  sail,  but 
which  my  friend,  Mistress  Pettibones,  within  there,  said 
had  the  true  molasses  smack  to  it ;  and  you  are  not  the 
one,  Squire  Dickens,  to  be  told  that  Mistress  Remark- 
able has  a  remarkable  tooth  for  sweet  things  in  her  nut- 
grinder." 

The  loud  laugh  that  succeeded  the  wit  of  Benjamin,  and 
in  which  he  participated  with  no  very  harmonious  sounds, 
himself,  very  fully  illustrated  the  congenial  temper  which 
existed  between  the  pair.  Most  of  its  point  was,  however, 
lost  on  the  rest  of  the  party,  who  were  either  mounting 
their  horses  or  assisting  the  ladies  at  the  moment.  When 
all  were  safely  in  their  saddles,  they  moved  through  the 
village  in  great  order.  They  paused  for  a  moment  before 
the  door  of  Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  until  he  could  bestride  his 
steed,  and  then,  issuing  from  the  little  cluster  of  houses, 
they  took  one  of  the  principal  of  those  highways  that  cen« 
tred  in  the  village. 

As  each  night  brought  with  it  a  severe  frost,  which  the 
heat  of  the  succeeding  day  served  to  dissipate,  the  eques' 


THE  PIONEERS.  203 

trians  were  compelled  to  proceed  singly  along  the  margin 
of  the  road,  where  the  turf,  and  firmness  of  the  ground, 
gave  the  horses  a  secure  footing.  Very  trifling  indications 
of  vegetation  were  to  be  seen,  the  surface  of  the  earth  pre- 
senting a  cold,  wet,  and  cheerless  aspect  that  chilled  the 
blood.  The  snow  yet  lay  scattered  over  most  of  those  dis- 
tant  clearings  that  were  visible  in  different  parts  of  the 
mountains  ;  though  here  and  there  an  opening  might  be 
seen,  where  as  the  white  covering  yielded  to  the  season, 
the  bright  and  lively  green  of  the  wheat  served  to  enkindle 
the  hopes  of  the  husbandman.  Nothing  could  be  more 
marked  than  the  contrast  between  the  earth  and  the 
heavens  ;  for,  while  the  former  presented  the  dreary  view 
that  we  have  described,  a  warm  and  invigorating  sun  was 
dispensing  his  heats  from  a  sky  that  contained  but  a  soli- 
tary cloud,  and  through  an  atmosphere  that  softened  the 
colors  of  the  sensible  horizon  until  it  shone  like  a  sea  of 
blue. 

Richard  led  the  way  on  this,  as  on  all  other  occasions 
that  did  not  require  the  exercise  of  unusual  abilities  ;  and, 
as  he  moved  along,  he  essayed  to  enliven  the  party  with 
the  sounds  of  his  experienced  voice. 

"  This  is  your  true  sugar  weather,  'duke,"  he  cried  ;  "  a 
frosty  night  and  a  sunshiny  day.  I  warrant  me  that  the 
sap  runs  like  a  mill-tail  up  the  maples  this  warm  morning. 
It  is  a  pity,  Judge,  that  you  do  not  introduce  a  little  more 
science  into  the  manufactory  of  sugar  among  your  tenants. 
It  might  be  done,  sir,  without  knowing  as  much  as  Dr. 
Franklin — it  might  be  done,  Judge  Temple." 

"  The  first  object  of  my  solicitude,  friend  Jones,"  re- 
turned Marmaduke,  "  is  to  protect  the  sources  of  this  great 
mine  of  comfort  and  wealth  from  the  extravagance  of  the 
people  themselves.  When  this  important  point  shall  be 
achieved,  it  will  be  in  season  to  turn  our  attention  to  an 
improvement  in  the  manufacture  of  the  article.  But  thou 
knovvest,  Richard,  that  I  have  already  subjected  our  sugar 
to  the  process  of  the  refiner,  and  that  the  result  has  pro- 
duced loaves  as  white  as  the  snow  on  yon  fields,  and  pos- 
sessing the  saccharine  quality  in  its  utmost  purity." 

"  Saccharine,  or  turpentine,  or  any  other  'ine,  Judge  Tem- 
ple, you  have  never  made  a  loaf  larger  than  a  good-sized 
sugar-plum,"  returned  the  sheriff.  "  Now,  sir,  I  assert 
that  no  experiment  is  fairly  tried,  until  it  be  reduced  to 
practical  purposes.  If,  sir,  I  owned  a  hundred,  or,  for  that 


104  THE  PIONEERS. 

matter,  two  hundred  thousand  acres  of  land,  as  you  do,  1 
would  build  a  sugar-house  in  the  village  ;  I  would  invite 
learned  men  to  an  investigation  of  the  subject — and  such 
are  easily  to  be  found,  sir  ;  yes,  sir,  they  are  not  difficult  to 
find — men  who  unite  theory  with  practice  ;  and  I  would 
select  a  wood  of  young  and  thrifty  trees  ;  and,  instead  of 
making  loaves  of  the  size  of  a  lump  of  candy,  darn'me^ 
'duke,  but  I'd  have  them  as  big  as  a  haycock." 

"  And  purchase  the  cargo  of  one  of  those  ships  that  they 
say  are  going  to  China,"  cried  Elizabeth  ;  "  turn  your  pot- 
ash-kettles into  teacups,  the  scows  on  the  lake  into  saucers, 
bake  your  cake  in  yonder  lime-kiln,  and  invite  the  county 
to  a  tea-party.  How  wonderful  are  the  projects  of  genius! 
Really,  sir,  the  world  is  of  opinion  that  Judge  Temple  has 
tried  the  experiment  fairly,  though  he  did  not  cause  his 
loaves  to  be  cast  in  moulds  of  the  magnitude  that  would  suit 
your  magnificent  conceptions." 

"  You  may  laugh,  Cousin  Elizabeth — you  may  laugh, 
madam,"  retorted  Richard,  turning  himself  so  much  in  his 
saddle  as  to  face  the  party,  and  making  dignified  gestures 
with  his  whip  ;  "  but  I  appeal  to  common  sense,  good  sense, 
or,  what  is  of  more  importance  than  either,  to  the  sense  of 
taste,  which  is  one  of  the  five  natural  senses,  whether  a  big 
loaf  of  sugar  is  not  likely  to  contain  a  better  illustration  of 
a  proposition  than  such  a  lump  as  one  of  your  Dutch 
women  puts  under  her  tongue  when  she  dfinks  her  tea 
There  are  two  ways  of  doing  everything,  the  right  way 
and  the  wrong  way.  You  make  sugar  now,  I  will  admit, 
and  you  may,  possibly,  make  loaf-sugar  ;  but  I  take  the 
question  to  be,  whether  you  make  the  best  possible  sugar, 
and  in  the  best  possible  loaves." 

"Thou  art  very  right,  Richard,"  observed  Marmaduke, 
with  a  gravity  in  his  air  that  proved  how  much  he  was  in- 
terested in  the  subject.  "  It  is  very  true  that  we  manufac- 
ture sugar,  and  the  inquiry  is  quite  useful,  how  much  ? 
and  in  what  manner  ?  I  hope  to  live  to  see  the  day  when 
farms  and  plantations  shall  be  devoted  to  this  branch  of 
business.  Little  is  known  concerning  the  properties  of 
the  tree  itself,  the  source  of  all  this  wealth  ;  how  much  it 
may  be  improved  by  cultivation,  by  the  use  of  the  hoe  and 
plough." 

"  Hoe  and  plough  !  "  roared  the  sheriff  ;  "  would  you 
set  a  man  hoeing  round  the  root  of  a  maple  like  this  ? " 
pointing  to  one  of  the  noble  trees  that  occur  so  frequently 


THE  PIONEERS.  203 

in  that  part  of  the  country.  "  Hoeing  trees  !  are  you  mad. 
'duke  ?  This  is  next  to  hunting  for  coal  !  Poh  !  poh  i 
my  dear  cousin,  hear  reason,  and  leave  the  management  of 
the  sugar-bush  to  me.  Here  is  Mr.  Le  Quoi — he  has  been 
in  the  West  Indies,  and  has  seen  sugar  made.  Let  him 
give  an  account  of  how  it  is  made  there,  and  you  will  hear 
the  philosophy  of  the  thing.  Well,  monsieur,  how  is  it 
that  you  make  sugar  in  the  West  Indies  ;  anything  in  Judge 
Temple's  fashion  ? " 

The  gentleman  to  whom  this  query  was  put  was  mount- 
ed on  a  small  horse,  of  no  very  fiery  temperament,  and  was 
riding  with  his  stirrups  so  short  as  to  bring  his  knees,  while 
the  animal  rose  a  small  ascent  in  the  wood-path  they  were 
now  travelling,  into  a  somewhat  hazardous  vicinity  to  his 
chin.  There  was  no  room  for  gesticulation  or  grace  in  the 
delivery  of  his  reply,  for  the  mountain  was  steep  and  slip- 
pery ;  and,  although  the  Frenchman  had  an  eye  of  uncom- 
mon magnitude  on  either  side  of  his  face,  they  did  not 
seem  to  be  half  competent  to  forewarn  him  of  the  impedi- 
ments of  bushes,  twigs,  and  fallen  trees,  that  were  momen- 
tarily crossing  his  path.  With  one  hand  employed  in  avert- 
ing these  dangers,  and  the  other  grasping  his  bridle,  to 
check  an  untoward  speed  that  his  horse  was  assuming,  the 
native  of  France  responded  as  follows  : 

"Sucre  !  dey  do  make  sucre  in  Martinique  ;  mais — mais 
ce  n'est  pas  one  tree — ah — ah — vat  you  call — je  voudrois 
que  ces  chemins  fussent  au  diable — vat  you  call — steeck 
pour  la  promenade  ?" 

"Cane,"  said  Elizabeth,  smiling  at  the  imprecation  which 
the  wary  Frenchman  supposed  was  understood  only  by 
himself. 

"  Oui,  mam'selle,  cane." 

"  Yes,  yes,"  cried  Richard,  "  cane  is  the  vulgar  name  for 
it,  but  the  real  term  is  saccharum  officinarum  ;  and  what 
we  call  the  sugar,  or  hard  maple,  is  acer  saccharinum. 
These  are  the  learned  names,  monsieur,  and  are  such  as, 
doubtless,  you  well  understand." 

"Is  this  Greek  or  Latin,  Mr.  Edwards?"  whispered 
Elizabeth  to  the  youth,  who  was  opening  a  passage  for 
herself  and  her  companions  through  the  bushes,  "  or  per- 
haps it  is  a  still  more  learned  language,  for  an  interpreta- 
tion of  which  we  must  look  to  you." 

The  dark  eye  of  the  young  man  glanced  toward  the 
speaker,  but  its  resentful  expression  changed  in  a  moment 


206  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  I  shall  remember  your  doubts,  Miss  Temple,  when  next 
I  visit  my  old  friend  Mohegan,  and  either  his  skill,  or  that 
of  Leather-Stocking,  shall  solve  them." 

"  And  are  you,  then,  really  ignorant  of  their  lan- 
guage ?" 

"  Not  absolutely  ;  but  the  deep  learning  of  Mr.  Jones 
is  more  familiar  to  me,  or  even  the  polite  masquerade  of 
Monsieur  Le  Quoi." 

"  Do  you  speak  French  ? "  said  the  lady,  with  quickness. 

"  It  is  a  common  language  with  the  Iroquois,  and  through 
the  Canadas,"  he  answered,  smiling. 

"  Ah  !  but  they  are  Mingoes,  and  your  enemies." 

"  It  will  be  well  for  me  if  I  have  no  worse,"  said  the 
youth,  dashing  ahead  with  his  horse,  and  putting  an  end 
to  the  evasive  dialogue. 

The  discourse,  however,  was  maintained  with  great  vigor 
by  Richard,  until  they  reached  an  open  wood  on  the  sum- 
mit of  the  mountain,  where  the  hemlocks  and  pines  totally 
disappeared,  and  a  grove  of  the  very  trees  that  formed  the 
subject  of  debate  covered  the  earth  with  their  tall,  straight 
trunks  and  spreading  branches,  in  stately  pride.  The  un- 
derwood had  been  entirely  removed  from  this  grove,  or 
bush,  as,  in  conjunction  with  the  simple  arrangements  for 
boiling,  it  was  called,  and  a  wide  space  of  many  acres  was 
cleared,  which  might  be  likened  to  the  dome  of  a  mighty 
temple,  to  which  the  maples  formed  the  columns,  their  tops 
composing  the  capitals,  and  the  heavens  the  arch.  A  deep 
and  careless  incision  had  been  made  into  each  tree,  near  its 
root,  into  which  little  sprouts,  formed  of  the  bark  of  the 
alder,  or  of  the  sumach,  were  fastened  ;  and  a  trough, 
roughly  dug  out  of  the  linden,  or  basswood,  was  lying  at 
the  root  of  each  tree,  to  catch  the  sap  that  flowed  from  this 
extremely  wasteful  and  inartificial  arrangement. 

The  party  paused  a  moment,  on  gaining  the  flat,  to 
breathe  their  horses,  and,  as  the  scene  was  entirely  new  to 
several  of  their  number,  to  view  the  manner  of  collecting 
the  fluid.  A  fine,  powerful  voice  aroused  them  from  their 
momentary  silence,  as  it  rang  under  the  branches  of  the 
trees,  singing  the  following  words  of  that  inimitable  dog- 
gerel, whose  verses,  if  extended,  would  reach  from  the 
waters  of  the  Connecticut  to  the  shores  of  Ontario.  The 
tune  was,  of  course,  that  familiar  air  which,  although  it  is 
said  to  have  been  first  applied  to  his  nation  in  derision, 
circumstances  have  since  rendered  so  glorious  that  no 


THE  PIONEERS.  207 

American  ever  hears  its  jingling  cadence  without  feeling 
a  thrill  at  his  heart  : 

"  The  Eastern  States  be  full  of  men, 

The  Western  full  of  woods,  sir, 
The  hill  be  like  a  cattle-pen, 
The  roads  be  full  of  goods,  sir  ! 
Then  flow  away,  my  sweety  sap, 

And  I  will  make  you  boily ; 
Nor  catch  a  woodman's  hasty  nap, 
For  fear  you  should  get  roily. 

"The  maple-tree's  a  precious  one, 

'Tis  fuel,  food,  and  timber  ; 
And  when  your  stiff  day's  work  is  done, 
Its  juice  will  make  you  limber. 
Then  flow  away,  etc. 

"And  what's  a  man  without  his  glass, 

His  wife  without  her  tea,  sir  ? 
But  neither  cup  nor  mug  will  pass, 
Without  his  ho»ey-bee,  sir  ! 
Then  flow  away,"  ej;c. 

During  the  execution  of  this  sonorous  doggerel,  Richard 
kept  time  with  his  whip  on  the  mane  of  his  charger,  ac- 
companying the  gestures  with  a  corresponding  movement 
of  his  head  and  body.  Toward  the  close  of  the  song,  he 
was  overheard  humming  the  chorus,  and,  at  its  last  repeti- 
tion, to  strike  in  at  "  sweety  sap,"  and  carry  a  second 
through,  with  a  prodigious  addition  to  the  "  eifect"  of  the 
noise,  if  not  to  that  of  the  harmony. 

"Well  done  us  !"  roared  the  sheriff,  on  the  same  key 
with  the  tune  ;  "a  very  good  song,  Billy  Kirby,  and  very 
well  sung.  Where  got  you  the  words,  lad  ?  is  there  more 
of  it,  and  can  you  furnish  me  with  a  copy  ? " 

The  sugar-boiler,  who  was  busy  in  his  "  camp,"  at  a  short 
distance  from  the  equestrians,  turned  his  head  with  great 
indifference,  and  surveyed  the  party,  as  they  approached, 
with  admirable  coolness.  To  each  individual,  as  he  or  she 
rode  close  by  him,  he  gave  a  nod  that  was  extremely  good- 
natured  and  affable,  but  which  partook  largely  of  the  virtue 
of  equality,  for  not  even  to  the  ladies  did  he  in  the  least 
vary  his  mode  of  salutation,  by  touching  the  apology  for  a 
hat  that  he  wore,  or  by  any  other  motion  than  the  one  we 
have  mentioned. 


8o8  THE  PIONEERS. 

11  How  goes  it,  how  goes  it,  sheriff  ? "  said  the  wood« 
chopper  ;  "  what's  the  good  word  in  the  village  ?  " 

"  Why,  much  as  usual,  Billy,"  returned  Richard.  "  But 
how  is  this  ?  where  are  your  four  kettles,  and  your  troughs, 
and  your  iron  coolers  ?  Do  you  make  sugar  in  this  slov- 
enly way  ?  I  thought  you  were  one  of  the  best  sugar- 
boilers  in  the  county." 

"  I'm  all  that,  Squire  Jones,"  said  Kirby,  who  continued 
his  occupation  ;  "  I'll  turn  my  back  to  no  man  in  the 
Otsego  hills  for  chopping  and  logging,  for  boiling  down 
the  maple  sap,  for  tending  brick-kiln,  splitting  out  rails, 
making  potash,  and  parling  too,  or  hoeing  corn  ;  though 
I  keep  myself  pretty  much  to  the  first  business,  seeing 
that  the  axe  comes  most  natural  to  me." 

"  You  be  von  Jack  All-trade,  Mister  Beel,"  said  Mon- 
sieur Le  Quoi. 

"  How  ? "  said  Kirby,  looking  up,  with  a  simplicity  which, 
coupled  with  his  gigantic  frame  and  manly  face,  was  a  little 
ridiculous,  "  if  you  be  for  trade,  mounsher,  here  is  some 
as  good  sugar  as  you'll  find"the  season  through.  It's  as 
clear  from  dirt  as  the  Jarman  Flats  is  free  from  stumps, 
and  it  has  the  raal  maple  flavor.  Such  stuff  would  sell  in 
York  for  candy." 

The  Frenchman  approached  the  place  where  Kirby  had 
deposited  his  cakes  of  sugar,  under  the  cover  of  a  bark 
roof,  and  commenced  the  examination  of  the  article  with 
the  eye  of  one  who  well  understood  its  value.  Marmaduke 
had  dismounted,  and  was  viewing  the  works  and  the  trees 
very  closely,  and  not  without  frequent  expressions  of  dis- 
satisfaction at  the  careless  manner  in  which  the  manufac- 
ture was  conducted. 

"  You  have  much  experience  in  these  things,  Kirby,"  he 
said;  "what  course  do  you  pursue  in  makingyour  sugar  ? 
I  see  you  have  but  two  kettles." 

"Two  is  as  good  as  two  thousand,  Judge.  I'm  none  of 
your  polite  sugar-makers,  that  boils  for  the  great  folks  ; 
but  if  the  raal  sweet  maple  is  wanted,  I  can  answer  your 
turn.  First,  I  choose,  and  then  I  tap  my  trees  ;  say  along 
about  the  last  of  February,  or  in  these  mountains  may  be 
not  afore  the  middle  of  March  ;  but  any  way,  just  as  the 
sap  begins  to  cleverly  run " 

"Well,  in  this  choice,"  interrupted  Marmaduke,  "are 
you  governed  by  any  outward  signs  that  prove  the  quality 
of  the  tree  ?  " 


THE  PIONEERS.  209 

"Why,  there's  judgment  in  all  things,"  said  Kirby,  stir- 
ring the  liquor  in  his  kettles  briskly.  "There's  something 
in  knowing  when  and  how  to  stir  the  pot.  It's  a  thing 
that  must  be  Jarnt.  Rome  wasn't  built  in  a  day,  nor  for 
that  matter  Templeton  either,  though  it  may  be  said  to  be  a 
quick-growing  place.  I  never  put  my  axe  into  a  stunty 
tree,  or  one  that  hasn't  a  good,  fresh-looking  bark  ;  for 
trees  have  disorders,  like  creaters  ;  and  where's  the  policy 
of  taking  a  tree  that's  sickly,  any  more  than  you'd  choose 
a  foundered  horse  to  ride  post,  or  an  over-heated  ox  to  do 
your  logging  ? " 

"All  that  is  true.  But  what  are  the  signs  of  illness? 
how  do  you  distinguish  a  tree  that  is  well  from  one  that 
is  diseased  ?  " 

"  How  does  the  doctor  tell  who  has  fever  and  who  colds  ? " 
interrupted  Richard.  "  By  examining  the  skin,  and  feel- 
ing the  pulse,  to  be  sure." 

"  Sartain,"  continued  Billy  ;  "the  squire  an't  far  out  of 
the  way.  It's  by  the  look  of  the  thing,  sure  enough. 
Well,  when  the  sap  begins  to  get  a  free  run,  I  hang  over 
the  kettles,  and  set  up  the  bush.  My  first  boiling  I  push 
pretty  smartly,  till  I  get  the  virtue  of  the  sap  ;  but  when 
it  begins  to  grow  of  a  molasses  nater,  likes  this  in  the  ket- 
tle, one  mustn't  drive  the  fires  too  hard,  or  you'll  burn  the 
sugar  ;  and  burny  sugar  is  bad  to  the  taste,  let  it  be  never 
so  sweet.  So  you  ladle  out  from  one  kettle  into  the  other 
till  it  gets  so,  when  you  put  the  stirring-stick  into  it,  that 
it  will  draw  into  a  thread — -"when  it  takes  a  kerful  hand  to 
manage  it.  There  is  a  way  to  drain  it  off,  after  it  has 
grained,  by  putting  clay  into  the  pans  ;  but  it  isn't  always 
practised  ;  some  doos  and  some  doosn't.  Well,  mounsher, 
be  we  likely  to  make  a  trade  ? " 

"  I  will  give  you,  Mister  Beel,  for  von  pound,  dix  sous." 

"  No,  I  expect  cash  for't  ;  I  never  dicker  my  sugar.  But, 
seeing  that  it's  you,  mounsher,"  said  Billy,  with  a  coaxing 
smile,  "  I'll  agree  to  receive  a  gallon  of  rum,  and  cloth 
enough  for  two  shirts,  if  you'll  take  the  molasses  in  the 
bargain.  It's  raal  good.  I  wouldn't  deceive  you  or  any 
man  ;  and  to  my  drinking  it's  about  the  best  molasses  that 
come  out  of  a  sugar-bush." 

"  Mr.  Le  Quoi  has  offered  you  ten  pence,"  said  ycung 
Edwards. 

The  manufacturer  stared  at  the  speaker  with  an  air  of 
great  freedom,  but  made  no  reply. 


BIO  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  Oui,"  said  the  Frenchman,  "  ten  penny.  Je  vous  re- 
mercie,  monsieur  :  ah  !  mon  Anglois  !  je  1'oublie  toujours." 

The  wood-chopper  looked  from  one  to  the  other  with 
some  displeasure  ;  and  evidently  imbibed  the  opinion  that 
they  were  amusing  themselves  at  his  expense.  He  seized 
the  enormous  ladle,  which  was  lying  on  one  of  his  kettles, 
and  began  to  stir  the  boiling  liquid  with  great  diligence. 
After  a  moment  passed  in  dipping  the  ladle  full,  and  then 
raising  it  on  high,  as  the  thick  rich  fluid  fell  back  into  the 
kettle,  he  suddenly  gave  it  a  whirl,  as  if  to  cool  what  yet 
remained,  and  offered  the  bowl  to  Mr.  Le  Quoi,  saying  : 

"Taste  that,  mounsher,  and  you  will  say  it  is  worth 
more  than  you  offer.  The  molasses  itself  would  fetch  the 
money." 

The  complaisant  Frenchman,  after  several  timid  efforts 
to  trust  his  lips  in  contact  with  the  bowl  of  the  ladle,  got 
a  good  swallow  of  the  scalding  liquid.  He  clapped  his 
hands  on  his  breast,  and  looked  most  piteouslyat  the  ladies, 
fora  single  instant  ;  and  then,  to  use  the  language  of  Billy, 
when  he  afterward  recounted  the  tale,  "  no  drumsticks 
ever  went  faster  on  the  skin  of  a  sheep  than  the  French- 
man's legs,  for  a  round  or  two  ;  and  then  such  swearing 
and  spitting  in  French  you  never  saw.  But  it's  a  knowing 
one,  from  the  old  countries,  that  thinks  to  get  his  jokes 
smoothly  over  a  wood-chopper." 

The  air  of  innocence  with  which  Kirby  resumed  the 
occupation  of  stirring  the  contents  of  his  kettles  would 
have  completely  deceived  the  spectators  as  to  his  agency 
in  the  temporary  sufferings  of  Mr.  Le  Quoi,  had  not  the 
reckless  fellow  thrust  his  tongue  into  his  cheek,  and  cast 
his  eyes  over  the  party,  with  a  simplicity  of  expression  that 
was  too  exquisite  to  be  natural.  Mr.  Le  Quoi  soon  recov- 
ered his  presence  of  mind  and  his  decorum  ;  and  he  brief- 
ly apologized  to  the  ladies  for  one  or  two  very  intemperate 
expressions  that  had  escaped  him  in  a  moment  of  extra- 
ordinary excitement,  and,  remounting  his  horse,  he  con- 
tinued in  the  background  during  the  remainder  of  the 
visit,  the  wit  of  Kirby  putting  a  violent  termination,  at 
once,  to  all  negotiations  on  the  subject  of  trade.  During 
all  this  time,  Marmaduke  had  been  wandering  about  the 
grove,  making  observations  on  his  favorite  trees,  and  the 
wasteful  manner  in  which  the  wood-choppers  conducted 
his  manufacture. 

"It  grieves  me  to  witness  the  extravagance  that  pervades 


THE  PIONEERS.  Jll 

this  country,"  said  the  Judge,  "  where  the  settlers  trifle 
with  the  blessings  they  might  enjoy,  with  the  prodigality 
of  successful  adventurers.  You  are  not  exempt  from  the 
censure  yourself,  Kirby,  for  you  make  dreadful  wounds  in 
these  trees  where  a  small  incision  would  effect  the  same 
object.  I  earnestly  beg  you  will  remember  that  they  are 
the  growth  of  centuries,  and  when  once  gone  none  living 
will  see  their  loss  remedied." 

"Why,  I  don't  know,  Judge,"  returned  the  man  he 
addressed  ;  "  it  seems  to  me,  if  there's  plenty  of  anything 
in  this  mountaynious  country,  it's  the  trees.  If  there's 
any  sin  in  chopping  them,  I've  a  pretty  heavy  account  to 
settle  ;  for  I've  chopped  over  the  best  half  of  a  thousand 
icres,  with  my  own  hands,  counting  both  Varmount-and 
fork  States  ;  and  I  hope  to  live  to  finish  the  whull,  before 
I  lay  yp  my  axe.  Chopping  comes  quite  natural  to  me, 
and  I  wish  no  other  employment  ;  but  Jared  Ranson  said 
that  he  thought  the  sugar  was  likely  to  be  scurce  this  sea- 
son, seeing  that  so  many  folks  was  coming  into  the  settle- 
ment, and  so  I  concluded  to  take  the  *  bush '  on  sheares 
for  this  one  spring.  What's  the  best  news,  Judge,  con- 
sarning  ashes  ?  do  pots  hold  so  that  a  man  can  live  by 
them  still  ?  I  s'pose  they  will,  if  they  keep  on  fighting 
across  the  water." 

"Thou  reasonest  with  judgment,  William,"  returned 
Marmaduke.  "  So  long  as  the  old  world  is  to  be  con- 
vulsed with  wars,  so  long  will  the  harvest  of  America  con- 
tinue." 

"Well,  it's  an  ill  wind,  Judge,  that  blows  nobody  any 
good.  I'm  sure  the  country  is  in  a  thriving  way  ;  and 
though  I  know  you  calkilate  greatly  on  the  trees,  setting 
as  much  store  by  them  as  some  men  would  by  their  chil- 
dren, yet  to  my  eyes  they  are  a  sore  sight  any  time,  unless 
I'm  privileged  to  work  my  will  on  them  ;  in  which  case  I 
can't  say  but  they  are  more  to  my  liking.  I  have  heard 
the  settlers  from  the  old  countries  say  that  their  rich  men 
keep  great  oaks  and  elms,  that  would  make  a  barrel  of 
pots  to  the  tree,  standing  round  their  doors  and  humsteds, 
and  scattered  over  their  farms,  just  to  look  at.  Now,  I 
call  no  country  much  improved  that  is  pretty  well  covered 
with  trees.  Stumps  are  a  different  thing,  for  they  don't 
shade  the  land  ;  and,  besides,  you  dig  them — they  make  a 
fence  that  will  turn  anything  bigger  than  a  hog,  being 
grand  for  breachy  cattle." 


212  THE  PIONEERS.  \  ;  v 

"  Opinions  on  such  subjects  vary  much  in  different 
countries,"  said  Marmaduke  ;  "but  it  is  not  as  ornaments 
that  I  value  the  noble  trees  of  this  country  ;  it  is  for  their 
usefulness.  We  are  stripping  the  forests,  as  if  a  single 
year  would  replace  what  we  destroy.  But  the  hour  ap- 
proaches when  the  laws  will  take  notice  of  not  only  the 
woods,  but  the  game  they  contain  also." 

With  this  consoling  reflection,  Marmaduke  remounted, 
and  the  equestrians  passed  the  sugar-camp,  on  their  way 
to  the  promised  landscape  of  Richard.  The  wood-chopper 
was  left  alone,  in  the  bosom  of  the  forest,  to  pursue  his 
labors.  Elizabeth  turned  her  head,  when  they  reached  the 
point  where  they  were  to  descend  the  mountain,  and 
thought  that  the  slow  fires  that  were  glimmering  under  his 
enormous  kettles,  his  little  brush  shelter,  covered  with 
pieces  of  hemlock  bark,  his  gigantic  size,  as  he  wielded 
his  ladle  with  a  steady  and  knowing  air,  aided  by  the  back- 
ground of  stately  trees,  with  their  spouts  and  troughs, 
formed,  altogether,  no  unreal  picture  of  human  life  in  its 
first  stages  of  civilization.  Perhaps  whatever  the  scene 
possessed  of  a  romantic  character  was  not  injured  by  the 
powerful  tones  of  Kirby's  voice  ringing  through  the  woods, 
as  he  again  awoke  his  strains  to  another  tune,  which  was 
but  little  more  scientific  than,  the  former.  All  that  she 
understood  of  the  words  were  : 


"  And  when  the  proud  forest  is  falling, 
To  my  oxen  cheerfully  calling, 
From  morn  until  night  I  am  bawling, 

Whoa,  back  there,  and  haw  and  gee  ; 
.  Till  our  labor  is  mutually  ended, 
By  my  strength  and  cattle  befriended, 
And  against  the  mosquitoes  defended 
By  the  bark  of  the  walnut-tree. 


Away  !  then,  you  lads  who  would  buy  land  ; 
Choose  the  oak  that  grows  on  the  high  land, 
Or  the  silvery  pine  on  the  diy  land, 
It  matters  but  little  to  me." 


THE  PIONEERS.  213 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

"  Speed  !  Malise,  speed  !  such  cause  of  haste 
Thine  active  sinews  never  braced." — SCOTT. 

THE  roads  of  Otsego,  if  we  except  the  principal  highways, 
were,  at  the  early  day  of  our  tale,  but  little  better  than 
wood-paths.  The  high  trees  that  were  growing  on  the 
very  verge  of  the  wheel-tracks  excluded  the  sun's  rays, 
unless  at  meridian  ;  and  the  slowness  of  the  evaporation, 
united  with  the  rich  mold  of  vegetable  decomposition  that 
covered  the  whole  country  to  the  depth  of  several  inches, 
occasioned  but  an  indifferent  foundation  for  the  footing  of 
travellers.  Added  to  these  were  the  inequalities  of  a  nat- 
ural surface,  and  the  constant  recurrence  of  enormous  and 
slippery  roots  that  were  laid  bare  by  the  removal  of  the 
light  soil,  together  with  stumps  of  trees,  to  make  a  passage 
not  only  difficult  but  dangerous.  Yet  the  riders  among 
these  numerous  obstructions,  which  were,  such  as  would 
terrify  an  unpractised  eye,  gave  no  demonstrations  of  un- 
easiness as  their  horses  toiled  through  the  sloughs  or 
trotted  with  uncertain  paces  along  the  dark  route.  In 
many  places  the  marks  on  the  trees  were  the  only  indica- 
tions of  a  road,  with  perhaps  an  occasional  remnant  of  a 
pine  that,  by  being  cut  close  to  the  earth,  so  as  to  leave 
nothing  visible  but  its  base  of  roots,  spreading  for  twenty 
feet  in  every  directiyn,  was  apparently  placed  there  as  a 
beacon  to  warn  the  traveller  that  it  was  the  centre  of  a 
highway. 

Into  one  of  these  roads  the  active  sheriff  led  the  way, 
first  striking  out  of  the  foot-path,  by  which  they  had  de- 
scended from  the  sugar-bush,  across  a  little  bridge,  formed 
of  round  logs  laid  loosely  on  sleepers  of  pine,  in  which 
large  openings  of  a  formidable  width  were  frequent.  The 
nag  of  Richard,  when  it  reached  one  of  these  gaps,  laid  its 
nose  along  the  logs  and  stepped  across  the  difficult  pas- 
sage with  the  sagacity  of  a  man  ;  but  the  blooded  filly 
which  Miss  Temple  rode  disdained  so  humble  a  move- 
ment. She  made  a  step  or  two  with  an  unusual  caution, 
and  then,  on  reaching  the  broadest  opening,  obedient  to 
the  curb  and  whip  of  her  fearless  mistress,  she  bounded 
across  the  dangerous  pass  with  the  activity  of  a  squirrel. 


«T4  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  Gently,  gently,  my  child,"  said  Marmaduke,  who  was 
following  in  the  manner  of  Richard  ;  "  this  is  not  a  country 
for  equestrian  feats.  Much  prudence  is  requisite  to  jour- 
ney through  our  rough  paths  with  safety.  Thou  mayst 
practise  thy  skill  in  horsemanship  on  the  plains  of  New 
Jersey  with  safety  ;  but  in  the  hills  of  Otsego  they  may  be 
suspended  for  a  time." 

"  I  may  as  well  then  relinquish  my  saddle  at  once,  dear 
sir,"  returned  his  daughter  ;  "for  if  it  is  to  be  laid  aside 
until  this  wild  country  be  improved,  old  age  will  overtake 
.me,  and  put  an  end  to  what  you  term  my  equestrian  feats." 

"  Say  not  so,  my  child,"  returned  her  father;  "but  if 
thou  ventures!  again,  as  in  crossing  this  bridge,  old  age 
will  never  overtake  thee,  but  I  shall  be  left  to  mourn  thee, 
cut  off  in  thy  pride,  my  Elizabeth.  If  thou  hadst  seen 
this  district  of  country,  as  I  did,  when  it  lay  in  the  sleep 
of  nature,  and  had  witnessed  its  rapid  changes  as  it  awoke 
to  supply  the  wants  of  man,  thou  wouldst  curb  thy  im- 
patience for  a  little  time,  though  thou  shouldst  not  check 
thy  steed." 

"I  recollect  hearing  you  speak  of  your  first  visit  to  these 
woods,  but  the  impression  is  faint,  and  blended  with  the 
confused  images  of  childhood.  Wild  and  unsettled  as  it 
may  yet  seem,  it  must  have  been  a  thousand  times  more 
dreary  then.  Will  you  repeat,  dear  sir,  what  you  then 
thought  of  your  enterprise,  and  what  you  felt  ?  " 

During  this  speech  of  Elizabeth,  which  was  uttered 
with  the  fervor  of  affection,  young  Edwards  rode  more 
closely  to  the  side  of  the  Judge,  and  bent  his  dark  eyes  on 
his  countenance  with  an  expression  that  seemed  to  read 
his  thoughts. 

"  Thou  wast  then  young,  my  child,  but  must  remem- 
ber when  I  left  thee  and  thy  mother,  to  take  my  first  sur- 
vey of  these  uninhabited  mountains,"  said  Marmaduke. 
"  But  thou  dost  not  feel  all  the  secret  motives  that  can 
urge  a  man  to  endure  privations  in  order  to  accumulate 
wealth.  In  my  case  they  have  not  been  trifling,  and  God 
has  been  pleased  to  smile  on  my  efforts.  If  I  have  en- 
countered pain,  famine,  and  disease  in  accomplishing  the 
settlement  of  this  rough  territory,  I  have  not  the  misery 
of  failure  to  add  to  the  grievances." 

"  Famine  !"  echoed  Elizabeth  ;  "  I  thought  this  was  the 
land  of  abundance  !  had  you  famine  to  contend  with  ?" 

"  Even  so,   my  child,"  said   her  father.     "  Those   who 


THE  PIONEERS.  315 

look  around  them  now,  and  see  the  loads  of  produce  that 
issue  out  of  every  wild  path  in  these  mountains  during 
the  season  of  travelling,  will  hardly  credit  that  no  more 
than  five  years  have  elapsed  since  the  tenants  of  these 
woods  were  compelled  to  eat  the  scanty  fruits  of  the  forest 
to  sustain  life,  and,  with  their  unpractised  skill,  to  hunt 
the  beasts  as  food  for  their  starving  families." 

"  Ay ! "  cried  Richard,  who  happened  to  overhear  the 
last  of  this  speech  between  the  notes  of  the  wood-chopper's 
song,  which  he  was  endeavoring  to  breathe  aloud  ;  "  that 
was  the  starving  time,*  Cousin  Bess.  I  grew  as  lank  as  a 
weasel  that  fall,  and  my  face  was  as  pale  as  one  of  your 
fever-and-ague  visages.  Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  there,  fell 
away  like  a  pumpkin  in  drying  ;  nor  do  1  think  you  have 
got  fairly  over  it  yet,  monsieur.  Benjamin,  I  thought, 
bore  it  with  a  worse  grace  than  any  of  the  family  ;  for  he 
swore  it  was  harder  to  endure  than  a  short  allowance  in 
the  calm  latitudes.  Benjamin  is  a  sad  fellow  to  swear  if 
you  starve  him  ever  so  little.  I  had  half  a  mind  to  quit 
you  then,  'duke,  and  to  go  into  Pennsylvania  to  fatten  ; 
but,  damn  it,  thinks  I,  we  are  sisters'  children,  and  I  will 
live  or  die  with  him,  after  all." 

"  I  do  not  forget  thy  kindness,"  said  Marmaduke,  "  nor 
that  we  are  of  one  blood." 

"But,  my  dear  father,"  cried  the  wondering  Elizabeth, 
"was  there  actual  suffering?  Where  were  the  beautiful  and 
fertile  vales  of  the  Mohawk  ?  could  they  not  furnish  food 
for  your  wants  ?  " 

"  It  was  a  season  of  scarcity  ;  the  necessities  of  life  com- 
manded a  high  price  in  Europe,  and  were  greedily  sought 
after  by  the  speculators.  The  emigrants  from  the  East  to 
the  West  invariably  passed  along  the  valley  of  the  Mo- 
hawk, and  swept  away  the  means  of  subsistence  like  a 

*  The  author  has  no  better  apology  for  interrupting  the  interest  of  a 
work  of  fiction  by  these  desultory  dialogues  than  that  they  have  reference 
to  facts.  In  reviewing  his  work,  after  so  many  years,  he  is  compelled  to 
confess  it  is  injured  by  too  many  allusions  to  incidents  that  are  not  at  all 
suited  to  satisfy  the  just  expectations  of  the  general  reader.  One  of  these 
events  is  slightly  touched  on  in  the  commencement  of  this  chapter. 

More  than  thirty  years  since  a  very  near  and  dear  relative  of  the  writer, 
an  elder  sister  and  a  second  mother,  was  killed  by  a  fall  from  a  horse  in 
a  ride  among  the  very  mountains  mentioned  in  this  tale.  Few  of  her  sex 
and  years  were  more  extensively  known  or  more  universally  beloved  than 
the  admirable  woman  who  thus  fell  a  victim  to  the  chances  of  the  wilder- 


2i6  THE  PIONRRRS. 

swarm  of  locusts.  Nor  were  the  people  on  the  Flats  in  a 
much  better  condition.  They  were  in  want  themselves, 
but  they  spared  the  little  excess  of  provisions  that  Nature 
did  not  absolutely  require,  with  the  justice  of  the  German 
character.  There  was  no  grinding  of  the  poor.  The  word 
speculator  was  then  unknown  to  them.  I  have  seen  many 
a  stout  man,  bending  under  the  load  of  the  bag  of  meal 
which  he  was  carrying  from  the  mills  of  the  Mohawk, 
through  the  rugged  passes  of  these  mountains,  to  feed  his 
half-famished  children,  with  a  heart  so  light,  as  he  ap- 
proached his  hut,  that  the  thirty  miles  he  had  passed 
seemed  nothing.  Remember,  my  child,  it  was  in  our  very 
infancy ;  we  had  neither  mills,  nor  grain,  nor  roads,  nor 
often  clearings  ;  we  had  nothing  of  increase  but  the 
mouths  that  were  to  be  fed  ;  for  even  at  that  inauspicious 
moment  the  restless  spirit  of  emigration  was  not  idle  ;  nay, 
the  general  scarcity  which  extended  to  the  East  tended  to 
increase  the  number  of  adventurers." 

"  And  how,  dearest  father,  didst  thou  encounter  this 
dreadful  evil  ? "  said  Elizabeth,  unconsciously  adopting  the 
dialect  of  her  parent  in  the  warmth  of  her  sympathy.  "Upon 
thee  must  have  fallen  the  responsibility,  if  not  the  suffering." 

"  It  did,  Elizabeth,"  returned  the  Judge,  pausing  for  a 
single  moment,  as  if  musing  on  his  former  feelings.  "  I 
had  hundreds  at  that  dreadful  time  daily  looking  up  to  me 
for  bread.  The  sufferings  of  their  families  and  the  gloomy 
prospect  before  them  had  paralyzed  the  enterprise  and  ef- 
forts of  my  settlers  ;  hunger  drove  them  to  the  woods  for 
food,  but  despair  sent  them  at  night,  enfeebled  and  wan,  to 
a  sleepless  pillow.  It  was  not  a  moment  for  inaction.  I 
purchased  cargoes  of  wheat  from  the  granaries  of  Penn- 
sylvania ;  they  were  landed  at  Albany  and  brought  up  the 
Mohawk  in  boats  ;  from  thence  it  was  transported  on  pack- 
horses  into  the  wilderness  and  distributed  among  my  peo- 
ple. Seines  were  made,  and  the  lakes  and  rivers  were 
dragged  for  fish.  Something  like  a  miracle  was  wrought 
in  our  favor,  for  enormous  shoals  of  herrings  were  discov- 
ered to  have  wandered  five  hundred  miles  through  the 
windings  of  the  impetuous  Susquehanna,  and  the  lake  was 
alive  with  their  numbers.  These  were  at  length  caught 
and  dealt  out  to  the  people,  with  proper  portions  of  salt, 
and  from  that  moment  we  again  began  to  prosper."* 

*  All  this  was  literally  true. 


_  THE  PIONEERS.  .215 

"Yes,"  cried  Richard,  "  and  I  was  the  man  who  served 
out  the  fish  and  salt.  When  the  poor  devils  came  to  re~ 
ceive  their  rations,  Benjamin,  who  was  my  deputy,  was 
obliged  to  keep  them  off  by  stretching  ropes  around  me, 
for  they  smelt  so  of  garlic,  from  eating  nothing  but  the  wild 
onion,  that  the  fumes  put  me  out  often  in  my  measure- 
ment. You  were  a  child  then,  Bess,  and  knew  nothing  of 
the  matter,  for  great  care  was  observed  to  keep  both  you 
and  your  mother  from  suffering.  That  year  put  me  back 
dreadfully,  both  in  the  breed  of  my  hogs  and  of  my  turkeys." 

"  No,  Bess,"  cried  the  Judge,  in  a  more  cheerful  tone, 
disregarding  the  interruption  of  his  cousin,  "  he  who  hears 
of  the  settlement  of  a  country  knows  but  little  of  the  toil 
and  suffering  by  which  it  is  accomplished.  Unimproved 
and  wild  as  this  district  now  seems  to  your  eyes,  what  was 
it  when  I  first  entered  the  hills !  I  left  my  party,  the 
morning  of  my  arrival,  near  the  farms  of  the  Cherry  Val- 
ley, and,  following  a  deer-path,  rode  to  the  summit  of  the 
mountain  that  I  have  since  called  Mount  Vision. ;  for  the 
sight  that  there  met  my  eyes  seemed  to  me  as  the  decep- 
tions of  a  dream.  The  fire  had  run  over  the  pinnacle,  and 
in  a  great  measure  laid  open  the  view.  The  leaves  were 
fallen,  and  I  mounted  a  tree  and  sat  for  an  hour  looking 
on  the  silent  wilderness.  Not  an  opening  was  to  be  seen 
in  the  boundless  forest  except  where  the  lake  lay,  like  a 
mirror  of  glass.  The  water  was  covered  by  myriads  of  the 
wild-fowl  that  migrate  with  the  changes  in  the  season  ; 
and  while  in  my  situation  on  the  branch  of  the  beech,  I 
saw  a  bear,  with  her  cubs,  descend  to  the  shore  to  drink. 
I  had  met  many  deer,  gliding  through  the  woods,  in  my 
journey  ;  but  not  the  vestige  of  a  man  could  I  trace  dur- 
ing my  progress,  nor  from  my  elevated  observatory.  No 
clearing,  no  hut,  none  of  the  winding  roads  that  are  now 
to  be  seen,  were  there  ;  nothing  but  mountains  rising  be- 
hind mountains  ;  and  the  valley,  with  its  surface  of 
branches,  enlivened  here  and  there  with  the  faded,  foliage 
of  some  tree  that  parted  from  its  leaves  with  more  than 
ordinary  reluctance.  Even  the  Susquehannawas  then  hid 
by  the  height  and  density  of  the  forest." 

"  And  were  you  alone  ?  "  asked  Elizabeth  ;  "  passed  you 
the  night  in  that  solitary  state  ? " 

"  Not  so,  my  child,"  returned  the  father.  "  After  mus- 
ing on  the  scene  for  an  hour,  with  a  mingled  feeling  of 
pleasure  and  desolation,  I  left  my  perch  and  descended 


SiS  THE  PIONEERS. 

the  mountain.  My  horse  was  left  to  browse  on  the  twigs 
that  grew  within  his  reach,  while  I  explored  the  shores  of 
the  lake  and  the  spot  where  Templeton  stands.  A  pine 
of  more  than  ordinary  growth  stood  where  my  dwelling  is 
now  placed !  a  windrow  had  been  opened  through  the 
trees  from  thence  to  the  lake,  and  my  view  was  but  little 
impeded.  Under  the  branches  of  that  tree  I  made  my 
solitary  dinner.  I  had  just  finished  my  repast  as  I  saw 
smoke  curling  from  under  the  mountain,  near  the  eastern 
bank  of  the  lake.  It  was  the  only  indication  of  the  vicinity 
of  man  that  I  had  then  seen.  After  much  toil  I  made  my 
way  to  the  spot,  and  found  a  rough  cabin  of  logs,  built 
against  the  foot,  of  a  rock,  and  bearing  the  marks  of  a 
tenant,  though  I  found  no  one  within  it '' 

"  It  was  the  hut  of  Leather-Stocking,"  said  Edwards, 
quickly. 

"  It  was  ;  though  I  at  first  supposed  it  to  be  a  habitation 
of  the  Indians.  But  while  I  was  lingering  around  the 
spot  Natty  made  his  appearance,  staggering  under  the 
carcass  of  a  buck  that  he  had  slain.  Our  acquaintance 
commenced  at  that  time  ;  before,  I  had  never  heard  that 
such  a  being  tenanted  the  woods.  He  launched  his  bark 
canoe  and  set  me  across  the  foot  of  the  lake  to  the  place 
where  I  had  fastened  my  horse,  and  pointed  out  a  spot 
where  he  might  get  a  scanty  browsing  until  the  morn- 
ing ;  when  I  returned  and  passed  the  night  in  the  cabin  of 
the  hunter." 

Miss  Temple  was  so  much  struck  by  the  deep  attention 
of  young  Edwards  during  this  speech  that  she  forgot  to 
resume  her  interrogatories  ;  but  the  youth  himself  con- 
tinued the  discourse  by  asking, 

"  And  how  did  the  Leather-Stocking  discharge  the  duties 
of  a  host,  sir  ?  " 

"Why,  simply  but  kindly,  until  late  in  the  evening, 
when  he  discovered  my  name  and  object,  ami  the  cordi- 
ality of  his  manner  very  sensibly  diminished^  or,  I  might 
better  say,  disappeared.  He  considered  the  introduction 
of  the  settlers  as  an  innovation  on  his  rights,  I  believe  ; 
for  he  expressed  much  dissatisfaction  at  the  measure, 
though  it  was  in  his  confused  and  ambiguous  manner. 
I  hardly  understood  his  objections  myself,  but  supposed 
they  referred  chiefly  to  an  interruption  of  the  hunt- 
ing." 

*'  Had  you  then  purchased  the  estate,  or  were  you  ex- 


THE  PIONEERS.  219 

amining  it  with  an  intent  to  buy  ?"  asked  Edwards,  a  little 
abruptly. 

"It  had  been  mine  for  several  years.  It  was  with  a 
view  to  people  the  land  that  I  visited  the  lake.  Natty 
treated  me  hospitably,  but  coldly,  I  thought,  after  he 
learned  the  nature  of  my  journey.  I  slept  on  his  own 
bear-skin,  however,  and  in  the  morning  joined  my  survey- 
ors again." 

"Said  he  nothing  of  the  Indian  rights,  sir?  The 
Leather-Stocking  is  much  given  to  impeach  the  justice  of 
the  tenure  by  which  the  whites  hold  the  country." 

"  I  remember  that  he  spoke  of  them,  but  I  did  not 
clearly  comprehend  him,  and  may  have  forgotten  what  he 
said  ;  for  the  Indian  title  was  extinguished  so  far  back  as 
the  close  of  the  old  war,  and  if  it  had  not  been  at  all,  I 
hold  under  the  patents  of  the  Royal  Governors,  confirmed 
by  an  act  of  our  own  State  Legislature,  and  no  court  in 
the  country  can  affect  my  title." 

"  Doubtless,  sir,  your  title  is  both  legal  and  equitable," 
returned  the  youth,  coldly,  reining  his  horse  back  and  re- 
maining silent  till  the  subject  was  changed. 

It  was  seldom  Mr.  Jones  suffered  any  conversation  to 
continue  for  a  great  length  of  time  without  his  participa- 
tion. It  seems  that  he  was  of  the  party  that  Judge  Tem- 
ple had  designated  as  his  surveyors  ;  and  he  embraced  the 
opportunity  of  the  pause  that  succeeded  the  retreat  of 
young  Edwards  to  take  up  the  discourse,  and  with  a  nar- 
ration of  their  further  proceedings,  after  his  own  manner. 
As  it  wanted,  however,  the  interest  that  had  accompanied 
the  description  of  the  Judge,  we  must  decline  the  task  of 
committing  his  sentences  to  paper. 

They  soon  reached  the  point  where  the  promised  view 
was  to  be  seen.  It  was  one  of  those  picturesque  and  pe- 
culiar scenes  that  belong  to  the  Otsego,  but  which  required 
the  absence  of  the  ice  and  the  softness  of  a  summer's  land- 
scape to  be  enjoyed  in  all  its  beauty.  .Marmaduke  had 
early  forewarned  his  daughter  of  the  season,  and  of  its  ef- 
fect on  the  prospect  ;  and  after  casting  a  cursory  glance 
at  its  capabilities,  the  party  returned  homeward,  perfectly 
satisfied  that  its  beauties  would  repay  them  for  the  toil  of 
a  second  ride  at  a  more  propitious  season. 

"The  spring  is  the  gloomy  time  of  the  American  year." 
said  the  Judge  ;  "  and  it  is  more  peculiarly  the  case  in 
these  mountains.  Tne  winter  seems  to  retreat  to  the  fast* 


220  THE  PIONEERS. 

nesses  of  the  hills,  as  to  the  citadel  of  its  dominion,  and  is 
only  expelled  after  a  tedious  siege,  in  which  either  party, 
at  times,  would  seem  to  be  gaining  the  victory." 

"  A  very  just  and  apposite  figure,  Judge  Temple,"  ob- 
served the  sheriff  ;  "  and  the  garrison  under  the  command 
of  Jack  Frost  make  formidable  sorties — you  understand 
what  I  mean  by  sorties,  monsieur;  sallies,  in  English — and 
sometimes  drive  General  Spring  and  his  troops  back  again 
into  the  low  countries." 

"Yes,  sair,"  returned  the  Frenchman,  whose  prominent 
eyes  were  watching  the  precarious  footsteps  of  the  beast 
he  rode,  as  it  picked  its  dangerous  way  among  the  roots 
of  trees,  holes,  log  bridges,  and  sloughs  that  formed  the 
aggregate  of  the  highway.  "Je  vous  entends  ;  de  low 
countrie  is  freeze  up  for  half  de  year." 

The  error  of  Mr.  Le  Quoi  was  not  noticed  by  the  sheriff; 
and  the  rest  of  the  party  were  yielding  to  the  influence  of 
the  changeful  season,  which  was  already  teaching  the 
equestrians  that  a  continuance  of  its  mildness  was  not  to 
be  expected  for  any  length  of  time.  Silence  and  thought- 
fulness  succeeded  the  gayety  and  conversation  that  had 
prevailed  during  the  commencement  of  the  ride,  as  clouds 
began  to  gather  about  the  heavens,  apparently  collecting 
from  every  quarter,  in  quick  motion,  without  the  agency 
of  a  breath  of  air. 

While  riding  over  one  of  the  cleared  eminences  that  oc- 
curred in  their  route,  the  watchful  eye  of  Judge  Temple 
pointed  out  to  his  daughter  the  approach  of  a  tempest. 
Flurries  of  snow  already  obscured  the  mountain  that 
formed  the  northern  boundary  of  the  lake,  and  the  genial 
sensation  which  had  quickened  the  blood  through  their 
veins  was  already  succeeded  by  the  deadening  influence 
of  an  approaching  northwester. 

All  of  the  party  were  now  busily  engaged  in  making  the 
best  of  their  way  to  the  village,  though  the  badness  of  the 
roads  frequently  compelled  them  to  check  the  impatience 
of  their  animals,  which  often  carried  them  over  places  that 
would  not  admit  of  any  gait  faster  than  a  walk. 

Richard  continued  in  advance,  followed  by  Mr.  Le  Quoi ; 
next  to  whom  rode  Elizabeth,  who  seemed  to  have  imbibed 
the  distance  which  pervaded  the  manner  of  young  Ed- 
wards since  the  termination  of  the  discourse  between  the 
latter  and  her  father.  Marmaduke  followed  his  daughter, 
giving  her  frequent  and  tender  warnings  as  to  the  manage- 


777/1  PIONEERS.  221 

ment  of  her  horse.  It  was,  possibly,  the  evident  depend- 
ence that  Louisa  Grant  placed  on  his  assistance  which 
induced  the  youth  to  continue  by  her  side,  as  they  pur- 
sued their  way  through  a  dreary  and  dark  wood,  where 
the  rays  of  the  sun  could  but  rarely  penetrate,  and  where 
even  the  daylight  was  obscured  and  rendered  gloomy  by 
the  deep  forests  that  surrounded  them.  No  wind  had  yet 
reached  the  spot  where  the  equestrians  were  in  motion, 
but  that  dead  silence  that  often  precedes  a  storm  contrib- 
uted to  render  their  situation  more  irksome  than  if  they 
were  already  subject  to  the  fury  of  the  tempest.  Suddenly 
the  voice  of  young  Edwards  was  heard  shouting  in  those 
appalling  tones  that  carry  alarm  to  the  very  soul,  and 
which  curdle  the  blood  of  those  that  hear  them  : 

"  A  tree  !  a  tree  !  whip — spur  for  your  lives  !  a  tree  !  a 
tree  !  " 

"  A  tree  !  a  tree  !  "  echoed  Richard,  giving  his  horse  a 
blow  that  caused  the  alarmed  beast  to  jump  nearly  a  rod, 
throwing  the  mud  and  water  into  the  air  like  a  hurricane. 

"  Von  tree  !  von  tree  !  "  shouted  the  Frenchman,  bend- 
ing his  body  on  the  neck  of  his  charger,  shutting  his  eyes, 
and  playing  on  the  ribs  of  his  beast  with  his  heels  at  a  rate 
that  caused  him  to  be  conveyed  on  the  crupper  of  the 
sheriff  with  a  marvellous  speed. 

Elizabeth  checked  her  filly  and  looked  up,  with  an  un- 
conscious but  alarmed  air,  at  the  very  cause  of  their  dan- 
ger, while  she  listened  to  the  crackling  sounds  that  awoke 
the  stillness  of  the  forest  ;  but  the  next  instant  her  bridle 
was  seized  bv  her  father,  who  cried  :  "  God  protect  my 
child  ! "  and  sne  Idt  herself  hurried  onward,  impelled  by 
the  vigor  of  his  nervous  arm. 

Each  one  of  the  party  bowed  to  his  saddle-bows  as  the 
tearing  of  branches  was  succeeded  by  a  sound  like  the 
rushing  of  the  winds,  which  was  followed  by  a  thundering 
report,  and  a  shock  that  caused  the  very  earth  to  tremble 
as  one  of  the  noblest  ruins  of  the  forest  fell  directly  across 
their  path. 

One  glance  was  enough  to  assure  Judge  Temple  that  his 
daughter  and  those  in  front  of  him  were  safe,  and.  he 
turned  his  eyes,  in  dreadful  anxiety,  to  learn  the  fate  of  the 
others.  Young  Edwards  was  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
tree,  his  form  thrown  back  in  his  saddle  to  its  utmost  dis- 
tance, his  left  hand  Drawing  up  his  bridle  with  its  greatest 
force,  ^hile  the  right  grasped  that  of  Miss  Grant  so  as  to 


222  THE  PIONEERS. 

draw  the  head  of  her  horse  under  its  body.  Both  the  ani« 
mals  stood  shaking  in  every  joint  with  terror,  and  snorting 
fearfully.  Louisa  herself  had  relinquished  her  reins,  and, 
with  her  hands  pressed  on  her  face,  sat  bending  forward 
in  her  saddle,  in  an  attitude  of  despair,  mingled  strangely 
with  resignation. 

"Are  you  safe?"  cried  the  Judge,  first  breaking  the 
awful  silence  of  the  moment. 

"  By  God's  blessing,"  returned  the  youth  ;  "  but  if  there 
had  been  branches  to  the  tree  we  must  have  been  lost " 

He  was  interrupted  by  the  figure  of  Louisa  slowly  yield- 
ing in  her  saddle,  and  but  for  his  arm  she  would  have 
sunk  to  the  earth.  Terror,  however,  was  the  only  injury 
that  the  clergyman's  daughter  had  sustained,  and,  with 
the  aid  of  Elizabeth,  she  was  soon  restored  to  her  senses. 
After  some  little  time  was  lost  in  recovering  her  strength, 
the  young  lady  was  replaced  in  her  saddle,  and,  supported 
on  either  side  by  Judge  Temple  and  Mr.  Edwards,*she  was 
enabled  to  follow  the  party  in  their  slow  progress. 

"The  sudden  fallings  of  the  trees,"  said  Marmaduke, 
"are  the  most  dangerous  accidents  in  the  forest,  for  they 
are  not  to  be  foreseen,  being  impelled  by  no  winds,  nor 
any  extraneous  or  visible  cause  against  which  we  can 
guard." 

"  The  reason  of  their  falling,  Judge  Temple,  is  very  ob- 
vious," said  the  sheriff.  "  The  tree  is  old  and  decayed, 
and  it  is  gradually  weakened  by  the  frosts,  until  a  line 
drawn  from  the  centre  of  gravity  falls  without  its  base,  and 
then  the  tree  comes  of  a  certainty  ;  and  I  should  like  to 
know  what  greater  compulsion  there  can  be  for  anything 
than  a  mathematical  certainty.  I  studied  math — 

"Very  true,  Richard,"  interrupted  Marmaduke;  "thy 
reasoning  is  true,  and,  if  my  memory  be  not  over-treacher 
ous,  was  furnished  by  myself  on  a  former  occasion.  But 
how  is  one  to  guard  against  the  danger?  Canst  thou  go 
through  the  forests  measuring  the  bases  and  calculating 
the  centres  of  the  oaks  ?  Answer  me  that,  friend  Jones,  and 
I  will  say  thou  wilt  do  the  country  a  service." 

"  Answer  thee  that,  friend  Temple  !  "  returned  Richard  ; 
"  a  well-educated  man  can  answer  thee  anything,  sir.  Do 
any  trees  fall  in  this  manner  but  such  as  are  decayed  ? 
Take  care  not  to  approach  the  roots  of  a  rotten  tree,  and 
you  will  be  safe  enough." 

"  That  would  be  excluding  us  entirely  from  the  forests," 


THE  PIONEERS.  223 

said  Marmaduke.  "But,  happily,  the  winds  usually  force 
down  most  of  these  dangerous  ruins  as  their  currents  are 
admitted  into  the  woods  by  the  surrounding  clearings,  and 
such  a  fall  as  this  has  been  is  very  rare." 

Louisa  by  this  time  had  recovered  so  much  strength  as 
to  allow  the  party  to  proceed  at  a  quicker  pace,  but  long 
before  they  were  safely  housed  they  were  overtaken  by 
the  storm  ;  and  when  they  dismounted  at  the  door  of  the 
mansion-house,  the  black  plumes  of  Miss  Temple's  hat 
were  drooping  with  the  weight  of  a  load  of  damp  snow, 
and  the  coats  of  the  gentlemen  were  powdered  with  the 
same  material. 

While  Edwards  was  assisting  Louisa  from  her  horse,  the 
warm-hearted  girl  caught  his  hand  with  fervor  and  whis- 
pered : 

"  Now,  Mr.  Edwards,  both  father  and  daughter  owe  their 
lives  to  you." 

A  driving  northwesterly  storm  succeeded,  and  before 
the  sun  was  set  every  vestige  of  spring  had  vanished  ;  the 
lake,  the  mountains,  the  village,  and  the  fields  being  again 
hidden  under  one  dazzling  coat  of  snow. 


CHAPTER   XXII. 

' '  Men,  boys,  and  girls 

Desert  th'  unpeopled  village  ;  and  wild  crowds 
Spread  o'er  the  plain,  by  the  sweet  phrensy  driven.'* 

— SOMERVILLE. 

FROM  this  time  to  the  close  of  April  the  weather  con- 
tinued to  be  a  succession  of  great  and  rapid  changes.  One 
day  the  soft  airs  of  spring  seemed  to  be  stealing  along  the 
valley,  and,  in  unison  with  an  invigorating  sun,  attempting 
covertly  to  rouse  the  dormant  powers  of  the  vegetable 
world  ;  while,  on  the  next,  the  surly  blasts  from  the  north 
would  sweep  across  the  lake  and  erase  every  impression 
left  by  their  gentle  adversaries.  The  snow,  however,  finally 
disappeared,  and  the  green  wheat  fields  were  seen  in  every 
direction,  spotted  with  the  dark  and  charred  stumps  that 
had,  the  preceding  season,  supported  some  of  the  proudest 
trees  of  the  forest.  Ploughs  were  in  motion,  wherever 
those  useful  implements  could  be  used,  and  the  smokes  of 
the  sugar-camps  were  no  longer  seen  issuing  from  the 


224  THE  PIONEERS. 

woods  of  maple.  The  lake  had  lost  the  beauty  of  a  field 
of  ice,  but  still  a  dark  and  gloomy  covering  concealed  its 
waters,  for  the  absence  of  currents  left  them  yet  hidden 
under  a  porous  crust,  which,  saturated  with  the  fluid,  barely 
retained  enough  strength  to  preserve  the  continuity  of  its 
parts.  Large  flocks  of  wild  geese  were  seen  passing  over 
the  country  which  hovered,  for  a  time,  around  the  hidden 
sheet  of  water,  apparently  searching  for  a  resting-place  ; 
and  then,  on  finding  themselves  excluded  by  the  chill  cov- 
ering, would  soar  away  to  the  north,  filling  the  air  with 
discordant  screams,  as  if  venting  their  complaints  at  the 
tardy  operations  of  Nature. 

For  a  week,  the  dark  covering  of  the  Otsego  was  left  to 
the  undisturbed  possession  of  two  eagles,  who  alighted  on 
the  centre  of  its  field,  and  sat  eyeing  their  undisputed  ter- 
ritory. During  the  presence  of  these  monarchs  of  the  air, 
the  flocks  of  migrating  birds  avoided  crossing  the  plain  of 
ice  by  turning  into  the  hills,  apparently  seeking  the  pro- 
tection of  the  forests,  while  the  white  and  bald  heads  of 
the  tenants  of  the  lake  were  turned  upward,  with  a  look 
of  contempt.  But  the  time  had  come  when  even  these 
kings  of  birds  were  to  be  dispossessed.  An  opening  had 
been  gradually  increasing  at  the  lower  extremity  of  the 
lake,  and  around  the  dark  spot  where  the  current  of  the 
river  prevented  the  formation  of  ice  during  even  the  cold- 
est weather :  and  the  fresh  southerly  winds,  that  now 
breathed  freely  upon  the  valley,  made  an  impression  on 
the  waters.  Mimic  waves  began  to  curl  over  the  margin 
of  the  frozen  field,  which  exhibited  an  outline  of  crystal- 
lizations that  slowly  receded  toward  the  north.  At  each 
step  the  power  of  the  winds  and  the  waves  increased,  until, 
after  a  struggle  of  a  few  hours,  the  turbulent  little  billows 
succeeded  in  setting  the  whole  field  in  motion,  when  it 
was  driven  beyond  the  reach  of  the  eye,  with  a  rapidity 
that  was  as  magical  as  the  change  produced  in  the  scene 
by  this  expulsion  of  the  lingering  remnant  of  winter.  Just 
as  the  last  sheet  of  agitated  ice  was  disappearing  in  the 
distance,  the  eagles  rose,  and  soared  with  a  wide  sweep 
above  the  clouds,  while  the  waves  tossed  their  little  caps 
of  snow  in  the  air,  as  if  rioting  in  their  release  from  a 
thraldom  of  five  minutes'  duration. 

The  following  morning  Elizabeth  was  awakened  by  the 
exhilarating  sounds  of  the  martens,  who  were  quarrelling 
and  chattering  around  the  little  boxes  suspended  above 


THE  PIONEERS.  9.2$ 

her  writix-rws,  and  the  cries  of  Richard,  who  was  calling  in 
tones  An.rnating  as  signs  of  the  season  itself : 

"  Awake  !  awake  !  my  fair  lady !  the  gulls  are  hovering 
over  the  lake  already,  and  the  heavens  are  alive  with  pig- 
eons. You  may  look  an  hour  before  you  can  find  a  hole 
through  wnich  to  get  a  peep  at  the  sun.  Awake  !  awake  ! 
lazy  ones  i  Benjamin  is  overhauling  the  ammunition,  and 
we  only  wait  for  our  breakfasts,  and  away  for  the  moun- 
tains and  pigeon-shooting." 

There  was  no  resisting  this  animated  appeal,  and  in  a 
few  minutes  Miss  Temple  and  her  friend  descended  to  the 
parlor.  The  doors  of  the  hall  were  thrown  open,  and  the 
mild,  balmy  air  of  a  clear  spring  morning  was  ventilating 
the  apartment,  where  the  vigilance  of  the  ex-steward  had 
been  so  long  maintaining  an  artificial  heat  with  such  un- 
remitted  diligence.  The  gentlemen  were  impatiently  wait- 
ing for  their  morning's  repast,  each  equipped  in  the  garb 
of  a  sportsman.  Mr.  Jones  made  many  visits  to  the  south- 
ern door,  and  would  cry  : 

"  See,  Cousin  Bess  !  see,  'duke,  the  pigeon-roosts  of  the 
south  have  broken  up  !  They  are  growing  more  thick 
every  instant.  Here  is  a  flock  that  the  eye  cannot  see 
the  end  of.  There  is  food  enough  in  it  to  keep  the  army 
of  Xerxes  for  a  month,  and  feathers  enough  to  make  beds 
for  the  whole  country.  Xerxes,  Mr.  Edwards,  was  a 
Grecian  king,  who — no,  he  was  a  Turk,  or  a  Persian,  who 
wanted  to  conquer  Greece,  just  the  same  as  these  rascals 
will  overrun  our  wheat  fields,  when  they  come  back  in  the 
fall.  Away  !  away  !  Bess  ;  I  long  to  pepper  them." 

In  this  wish  both  Marmaduke  and  young  Edwards  seemed 
equally  to  participate,  for  the  sight  was  exhilarating  to  a 
sportsman  ;  and  the  ladies  soon  dismissed  the  party  after 
a  hasty  breakfast. 

If  the  heavens  were  alive  with  pigeons,  the  whole  vil- 
lage seemed  equally  in  motion  with  men,  women,  and 
children.  Every  species  of  fire-arms,  from  the  French 
ducking-gun,  with  a  barrel  near  six  feet  in  length,  to  the 
common  horseman's  pistol,  was  to  be  seen  in  the  hands  ot 
the  men  and  boys  ;  while  bows  and  arrows,  some  made  of 
the  simple  stick  of  walnut  sapling,  and  others  in  a  rude 
imitation  of  the  ancient  cross-bows,  were  carried  by  many 
of  the  latter. 

The  houses  and  the  signs  of  life  apparent  in  the  village 
drove  the  alarmed  birds,  from  the  direct  line  of  their  flight, 
15 


226  THE  PIONEERS. 

toward  the  mountains,  along  the  sides  and  near  the  bases 
of  which  they  were  glancing  in  dense  masses,  equally  won- 
derful by  the  rapidity  of  their  motion,  and  their  incredible 
numbers. 

We  have  already  said  that,  across  the  inclined  plane 
which  fell  from  the  steep  ascent  of  the  mountain  to  the 
banks  of  the  Susquehanna,  ran  the  highway,  on  either  side 
of  which  a  clearing  of  many  acres  had  been  made  at  a  very 
early  day.  Over  those  clearings,  and  up  the  eastern  moun- 
tain, and  along  the  dangerous  path  that  was  cut  into  its 
side,  the  different  individuals  posted  themselves,  and  in  a 
few  moments  the  attack  commenced. 

Among  the  sportsmen  was  the  tall,  gaunt  form  of 
Leather-Stocking,  walking  over  the  field,  with  his  rifle 
hanging  on  his  arm,  his  dogs  at  his  heels  ;  the  latter  now 
scenting  the  dead  or  wounded  birds  that  were  beginning 
to  tumble  from  the  flocks,  and  then  crouching  under  the 
legs  of  their  master,  as  if  they  participated  in  his  feelings 
at  this  wasteful  and  unsportsmanlike  execution. 

The  reports  of  the  fire-arms  became  rapid,  whole  volleys 
rising  from  the  plain,  as  flocks  of  more  than  ordinary 
numbers  darted  over  the  opening,  shadowing  the  field  like 
a  cloud  ;  and  then  the  light  smoke  of  a  single  piece  would 
issue  from  among  the  leafless  bushes  on  the  mountain,  as 
death  was  hurled  on  the  retreat  of  the  affrighted  birds, 
who  were  rising  from  a  volley,  in  a  vain  effort  to  escape. 
Arrows  and  missiles  of  every  kind  were  in  the  midst  of  the 
flocks  ;  and  so  numerous  were  the  birds,  and  so  low  did 
they  take  their  flight,  that  even  long  poles  in  the  hands  of 
those  on  the  sides  of  the  mountain  were  used  to  strike 
them  to  the  earth. 

During  all  this  time  Mr.  Jones,  who  disdained  the  humble 
and  ordinary  means  of  destruction  used  by  his  companions, 
was  busily  occupied,  aided  by  Benjamin,  in  making  arrange- 
ments for  an  assault  of  more  than  ordinarily  fatal  charac- 
ter. Among  the  relics  of  the  old  military  excursions,  that 
occasionally  are  discovered  throughout  the  different  dis- 
tricts of  the  western  part  of  New  York,  there  had  been 
found  in  Templeton,  at  its  settlement,  a  small  swivel,  which 
would  carry  a  ball  of  a  pound  weight.  It  was  thought  to 
have  been  deserted  by  a  war  party  of  the  whites  in  one  of 
their  inroads  into  the  Indian  settlements,  when,  perhaps, 
convenience  or  their  necessity  induced  them  to  leave  such 
an  incumbrance  behind  them  in  the  woods.  This  miniature 


THE  PIONEERS.  32} 

cannon  had  been  released  from  the  rust,  and  being  mounted 
on  little  wheels,  was  now  in  a  state  for  actual  service.  For 
several  years  it  was  the  sole  organ  for  extraordinary  re- 
joicings used  in  those  mountains.  On  the  mornings  of  the 
Fourth  of  July  it  would  be  heard  ringing  among  the  hills; 
and  even  Captain  Hollister,  who  was  the  highest  authority 
in  that  part  of  the  country  on  all  such  occasions,  affirmed 
that,  considering  its  dimensions,  it  was  no  despicable  gun 
fer  a  salute.  It  was  somewhat  the  worse  for  the  service  it 
had  performed,  it  is  true,  there  being  but  a  trifling  differ- 
ence in  size  between  the  touch-hole  and  the  muzzle.  Still, 
the  grand  conceptions  of  Richard  had  suggested  the  im- 
portance of  such  an  instrument  in  hurling  death  at  his 
nimble  enemies.  The  swivel  was  dragged  by  a  horse  into 
a  part  of  the  open  space  that  the  sheriff  thought  most 
eligible  for  planting  a  battery  of  the  kind,  and  Mr.  Pump 
proceeded  to  load  it.  Several  handfuls  of  duck-shot  were 
placed  on  top  of  the  powder,  and  the  major-domo  an- 
nounced that  his  piece  was  ready  for  service. 

The  sight  of  such  an  implement  collected  all  the  idle 
spectators  to  the  spot,  who,  being  mostly  boys,  filled  the 
air  with  cries  of  exultation  and  delight.  The  gun  was 
pointed  high,  and  Richard,  holding  a  coal  of  fire  in  a  pair 
of  tongs,  patiently  took  his  seat  on  a  stump,  awaiting  the 
appearance  of  a  flock  worthy  of  his  notice. 

So  prodigious  was  the  number  of  the  birds  that  the  scat- 
tering fire  of  the  guns,  with  the  hurling  of  missiles  and  the 
cries  of  the  boys,  had  no  other  effect  than  to  break  off 
small  flocks  from  the  immense  masses  that  continued  to 
dart  along  the  valley,  as  if  the  whole  of  the  feathered  tribe 
were  pouring  through  that  one  pass.  None  pretended  to 
collect  the  game,  which  lay  scattered  over  the  fields  in 
such  profusion  as  to  cover  the  very  ground  with  fluttering 
victims. 

Leather-Stocking  was  a  silent  but  uneasy  spectator  of 
all  these  proceedings,  but  was  able  to  keep  his  sentiments 
to  himself  until  he  saw  the  introduction  of  the  swivel  into 
the  sports. 

"  This  comes  of  settling  a  country  ! "  he  said.  "  Here 
have  I  known  the  pigeon  to  fly  for  forty  long  years,  and, 
till  you  made  your  clearings,  there  was  nobody  to  skear  or 
to  hurt  them.  I  loved  to  see  them  come  into  the  woods, 
for  they  were  company  to  a  body,  hurting  nothing — being, 
as  it  was,  as  harmless  as  a  garter-snake.  But  now  it  givee 


228  THE  PIONEERS. 

me  sore  thoughts  when  I  hear  the  frighty  things  whizzing 
through  the  air,  for  I  know  it's  only  a  motion  to  bring  out 
all  the  brats  of  the  village.  Well,  the  Lord  won't  see  the 
waste  of  his  creatures  for  nothing,  and  right  will  be  done 
to  the  pigeons,  as  well  as  others,  by  and  by.  There's  Mr. 
Oliver,  as  bad  as  the  rest  of  them,  firing  into  the  flocks  as 
if  he  was  shooting  down  nothing  but  Mingo  warriors." 

Among  the  sportsmen  was  Billy  Kirby,  who,  armed  with 
an  old  musket,  was  loading,  and,  without  even  looking  into 
the  air,  was  firing  and  shouting  as  his  victims  fell  even  on 
his  own  person.  He  heard  the  speech  of  Natty,  and  took 
upon  himself  to  reply  : 

"  What !  old  Leather-Stocking,"  he  cried, "grumbling  at 
the  loss  of  a  few  pigeons  !  If  you  had  to  sow  your  wheat 
twice,  and  three  times,  as  T  have  done,  you  wouldn't  be  so 
massyfully  feeling  toward  the  divils.  Hurrah,  boys  !  scat- 
ter the  feathers  !  This  is  better  than  shooting  at  a  turkey's 
head  and  neck,  old  fellow." 

"  It's  better  for  you,  maybe,  Billy  Kirby,"  replied  the 
indignant  old  hunter,  "and  all  them  that  don't  know  how 
to  put  a  ball  down  a  rifle  barrel,  or  how  to  bring  it  up 
again  with  a  true  aim  ;  but  it's  wicked  to  be  shooting  into 
flocks  in  this  wasty  manner,  and  none  to  do  it  who  know 
how  to  knock  over  a  single  bird.  If  a  body  has  a  craving 
for  pigeon's  flesh,  why,  it's  made  the  same  as  all  other 
creatures,  for  man's  eating  ;  but  not  to  kill  twenty  and  eat 
one.  When  I  want  such  a  thing  I  go  into  the  woods  till 
I  find  one  to  my  liking,  and  then  I  shoot  him  off  the 
branches,  without  touching  the  feather  of  another,  though 
there  might  be  a  hundred  on  the  same  tree.  You  couldn't 
do  such  a  thing,  Billy  Kirby — you  couldn't  do  it  if  you 
tried." 

"  What's  that,  old  corn-stalk  !  you  sapless  stub  !  "  cried 
the  wood-chopper.  "  You  have  grown  wordy,  since  the 
affair  of  the  turkey  ;  but  if  you  are  for  a  single  shot,  here 
goes  at  that  bird  which  comes  on  by  himself." 

The  fire  from  the  distant  part  of  the  field  had  driven  a 
single  pigeon  below  the  flock  to  which  it  belonged,  and, 
frightened  with  the  constant  reports  of  the  muskets,  it  was 
approaching  the  spot  where  the  disputants  stood,  darting 
first  from  one  side  and  then  to  the  other,  cutting  the  air 
with  the  swiftness  of  lightning,  and  making  a  noise  with 
its  wings  not  unlike  the  rushing  of  a  bullet.  Unfortu- 
nately for  the  wood-chopper,  notwithstanding  his  vaunt, 


THE  PIONEERS.  229 

he  did  not  see  this  bird  until  it  was  too  late  to  fire  as  it 
approached,  and  he  pulled  the  trigger  at  the  unlucky  mo- 
ment when  it  was  darting  immediately  over  his  head.  The 
bird  continued  its  course  with  the  usual  velocity. 

Natty  lowered  his  rifle  from  his  arm  when  the  challenge 
was  made,  and  waiting  a  moment,  until  the  terrified  victim 
had  got  in  a  line  with  his  eye,  and  had  dropped  near  the 
bank  of  the  lake,  he  raised  it  again  with  uncommon  rapid- 
ity, and  fired.  It  might  have  been  chance,  or  it  might 
have  been  skill,  that  produced  the  result ;  it  was  probably 
a  union  of  both  ;  but  the  pigeon  whirled  over  in  the  air, 
and  fell  into  the  lake  with  a  broken  wing.  At  the  sound 
of  his  rifle,  b6\h  his  dogs  started  from  his  feet,  and  in  a  few 
minutes,  the  "slut"  brought  put  the  bird,  still  alive. 

The  wonderful  exploit  of  Leather-Stocking  was  noised 
through  the  field  with  great  rapidity,  and  the  sportsmen 
gathered  in,  to  learn  the  truth  of  the  report. 

"What!"  said  young  Edwards,  "have  you  really  killed 
a  pigeon  on  the  wing,  Natty,  with  a  single  ball  ?  " 

"  Haven't  I  killed  loons  before  now,  lad,  that  dive  at  the 
flash  ?  "  returned  the  hunter.  "  It's  much  better  to  kill 
only  such  as  you  want,  without  wasting  your  powder  and 
lead,  than  to  be  firing  into  God's  creatures  in  this  wicked 
manner.  But  I  came  out  for  a  bird,  and  you  know  the 
reason  why  I  like  small  game,  Mr.  Oliver,  and  now  I  have 
got  one  I  wrill  go  home,  for  I  don't  relish  to  see  these 
wasty  ways  that  you  are  all  practysing,  as  if  the  least  thing 
wasn't  made  for  use,  and  not  to  destroy." 

"  Thou  sayest  well,  Leather-Stocking,"  cried  Marma- 
duke,  "  and  I  begin  to  think  it  time  to  put  an  end  to  this 
work  of  destruction." 

"  Put  an  ind,  Judge,  to  your  clearings.  An't  the  woods 
His  work  as  well  as  the  pigeons  ?  Use,  but  don't  waste. 
Wasn't  the  woods  made  for  the  beasts  and  birds  to  harbor 
in  ?  and  when  man  wanted  their  flesh,  their  skins,  or  their 
feathers,  there's  the  place  to  seek  them.  But  I'll  go  to  the 
hut  with  my  own  game,  for  I  wouldn't  touch  one  of  the 
harmless  things  that  cover  the  ground  here,  looking  up 
with  their  eyes  on  me,  as  if  they  only  wanted  tongues  to 
say  their  thoughts." 

With  this  sentiment  in  his  mouth,  Leather-Stocking 
threw  his  rifle  over  his  arm,  and,  followed  by  his  dogs, 
stepped  across  the  clearing  with  great  caution,  taking  care 
not  to  tread  on  one  of  the  wounded  birds  in  his  path.  He 


230  THE  PIONEERS. 

soon  entered  the  bushes  on  the  margin  of  the  lake  and  was 
hid  from  view. 

Whatever  impression  the  morality  of  Natty  made  on  the 
Jfcdge,  it  was  utterly  lost  on  Richard.  He  availed  himself 
of  the  gathering  of  the  sportsmen,  to  lay  a  plan  for  one  "  fell 
swoop  "  of  destruction.  The  musket  men  were  drawn  up  in 
battle  array,  in  a  line  extending  on  each  side  of  his  artil- 
lery, with  orders  to  await  the  signal  of  firing  from  himself. 

"Stand  by,  my  lads,"  said  Benjamin,  who  acted  as  an 
aid-de-camp  on  this  occasion,  "  stand  by,  my  hearties,  and 
when  Squire  Dickens  heaves  out  the  signal  to  begin  firing, 
d'ye  see,  you  may  open  upon  them  in  a  broadside.  Take 
care  and  fire  low,  boys,  and  you'll  be  sure  to  hull  the  flock." 

"  Fire  low!"  shouted  Kirby  :  "  hear  the  old  fool!  If 
we  fire  low,  we  may  hit  the  stumps,  but  not  ruffle  a  pigeon." 

"  How  should  you  know,  you  lubber  ? "  cried  Benjamin, 
with  a  very  unbecoming  heat  for  an  officer  on  the  eve  of 
battle — "  how  should  you  know,  you  grampus  ?  Haven't  I 
sailed  aboard  of  the  Boadishy  for  five  years  ?•  and  wasn't  it  a 
standingorder  to  fire  low,  and  to  hull  your  enemy  ?  Keep  si- 
lence at  your  guns,  boys,  and  mind  the  order  that  is  passed." 

The  loud  laughs  of  the  musket  men  were  silenced  by  the 
more  authoritative  voice  of  Richard,  who  called  for  atten- 
tion and  obedience  to  his  signals. 

Some  millions  of  pigeons  were  supposed  to  have  already 
passed,  that  morning,  over  the  valley  of  Templeton  ;  but 
nothing  like  the  flock  that  was  now  approaching  had  been 
seen  before.  It  extended  from  mountain  to  mountain  in 
one  solid  blue  mass,  and  the  eye  looked  in  vain,  over  the 
southern  hills,  to  find  its  termination.  The  front  of  this 
living  column  was  distinctly  marked  by  a  line  but  very 
slightly  indented,  so  regular  and  even  was  the  flight. 
Even  Marmaduke  forgot  the  morality  of  Leather-Stocking 
as  it  approached,  and,  in  common  with  the  rest,  brought 
his  musket  to  a  poise. 

"  Fire  ! "  cried  the  sheriff,  clapping  a  coal  to  the  priming 
of  the  cannon.  As  half  of  Benjamin's  charge  escaped 
through  the  touch-hole,  the  whole  volley  of  the  musketry 
preceded  the  report  of  the  swivel.  On  receiving  this 
united  discharge  of  small-arms,  the  front  of  the  flock  darted 
upward,  while,  at  the  same  instant,  myriads  of  those  in  the 
rear  rushed  with  amazing  rapidity  into  their  places,  so  that, 
when  the  column  of  white  smoke  gushed  from  the  mouth 
of  the  little  cannon,  an  accumulated  mass  of  objects  was 


THE  PIONEERS.  231 

gliding  over  its  point  of  direction.  The  roar  of  the  gun 
echoed  along  the  mountains,  and  died  away  to  the  north, 
like  distant  thunder,  while  the  whole  flock  of  alarmed 
birds  seemed,  for  a  moment,  thrown  into  one  disorderly 
and  agitated  mass.  The  air  was  filled  with  their  irregular 
flight,  layer  rising  above  layer,  far  above  the  tops  of  the 
highest  pines,  none  daring  to  advance  beyond  the  danger- 
ous pass  ;  when,  suddenly,  some  of  the  leaders  of  the 
feathered  tribe  shot  across  the  valley,  taking  their  flight 
directly  over  the  village,  and  hundreds  of  thousands  in 
their  rear  followed  the  example,  deserting  the  eastern  side 
of  the  plain  to  their  persecutors  and  the  slain. 

"  Victory  !  "  shouted  Richard,  "  victory  !  we  have  driven 
the  enemy  from  the  field." 

''Not  so,  Dickon,"  said  Marmaduke  ;  "the  field  is  cov- 
ered with  them  ;  and,  like  the  Leather-Stocking,  I  see 
nothing  but  eyes,  in  every  direction,  as  the  innocent  suf- 
ferers turn  their  heads  in  terror.  Full  one-half  of  those 
that  have  fallen  are  yet  alive  ;  and  I  think  it  is  time  to  end 
the  sport,  if  sport  it  be." 

"  Sport !  "  cried  the  sheriff  ;  "  it  is  princely  sport !  There 
are  some  thousands  of  the  blue-coated  boys  on  the  ground, 
so  that  every  old  woman  in  the  village  may  have  a  pot-pie 
for  the  asking." 

"  Well,  we  have  happily  frightened  the  birds  from  this 
side  of  the  valley,"  said  Marmaduke,  "and  the  carnage 
must  of  necessity  end,  for  the  present.  Boys,  I  will  give 
you  sixpence  a  hundred  for  the  pigeons'  heads  only  ;  so 
go  to  work,  and  bring  them  into  the  village." 

This  expedient  produced  the  desired  effect,  for  every 
urchin  on  the  ground  went  industriously  to  work  to  wring 
the  necks  of  the  wounded  birds.  Judge  Temple  retired 
toward  his  dwelling  with  that  kind  of  feeling  that  many  a 
rnan  has  experienced  before  him,  who  discovers,  after  the 
excitement  of  the  moment  has  passed,  that  he  has  pur- 
chased pleasure  at  the  price  of  misery  to  others.  Horses 
were  loaded  with  the  dead  ;  and,  after  this  first  burst  of 
sporting,  the  shooting  of  pigeons  became  a  business,  with 
a  few  idlers,  for  the  remainder  of  the  season.  Richard, 
however,  boasted  for  many  a  year  of  his  shot  with  the 
"  cricket  ; "  and  Benjamin  gravely  asserted  that  he  thought 
they  had  killed  nearly  as  many  pigeons  on  that  day  as  there 
were  Frenchmen  destroyed  on  the  memorable  occasion  of 
Rodney's  victory. 


332  THE  PIONEERS. 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

"  Help,  masters,  help  ;  here's  a  fish  hangs  in  the  net,  like  a  poor  man's 
right  in  the  law." — PERICLES  OF  TYRE. 

THE  advance  of  the  season  now  became  as  rapid  as  its: 
first  approach  had  been  tedious  and  lingering.  The  days 
were  uniformly  mild,  while  the  nights,  though  cool,  were 
no  longer  chilled  by  frosts.  The  whip-poor-will  was  heard 
whistling  his  melancholy  notes  along  the  margin  of  the 
lake,  and  the  ponds  and  meadows  were  sending  forth  the 
music  of  their  thousand  tenants.  The  leaf  of  the  native 
poplar  was  seen  quivering  in  the  woods  ;  the  sides  of  the 
mountains  began  to  lose  their  hue  of  brown,  as  the  lively 
green  of  the  different  members  of  the  forest  blended  their 
shades  with  the  permanent  colors  of  the  pine  and  hemlock  ; 
and  even  the  buds  of  the  tardy  oak  were  swelling  with  the 
promise  of  the  coming  summer.  The  gay  and  fluttering 
blue-bird,  the  social  robin,  and  the  industrious  little  wren, 
were  all  to  be  seen  enlivening  the  fields  with  their  pres- 
ence and  their  songs  ;  while  the  soaring  fish-hawk  was 
already  hovering  over  the  waters  of  the  Otsego,  watching 
with  native  voracity  for  the  appearance  of  his  prey. 

The  tenants  of  the  lake  were  far-famed  for  both  their 
quantities  and  their  quality,  and  the  ice  had  hardly  disap- 
peared, before  numberless  little  boats  were  launched  from 
the  shores,  and  the  lines  of  the  fishermen  were  dropped 
into  the  inmost  recesses  of  its  deepest  caverns,  tempting 
the  unwary  animals  with  every  variety  of  bait  that  the  in- 
genuity or  the  art  of  man  had  invented.  But  the  slow 
though  certain  adventures  with  hook  and  line  were  ill  suited 
to  the  profusion  and  impatience  of  the  settlers.  More  de- 
structive means  were  resorted  to  ;  and,  as  the  season  had 
now  arrived  when  the  bass-fisheries  were  allowed  by  the 
provisions  of  the  law  that  Judge  Temple  had  procured, 
the  sheriff  declared  his  intention,  by  availing  himself  oi 
the  first  dark  night,  to  enjoy  the  sport  in  person. 

"And  you  shall  be  present,  Cousin  Bess,"  he  added,  when 
he  announced  this  design,  "  and  Miss  Grant,  and  Mr.  Ed- 
wards ;  and  I  will  show  you  what  I  call  fishing — not  nibble, 
nibble,  nibble,  as  'duke  does  when  he  goes  after  the  sal- 
mon-trout. There  he  will  sit  for  hours,  in  a  broiling  sun, 


THE  PIONEERS.  233 

or,  perhaps,  over  a  hole  in  the  ice,  in  the  coldest  days  in 
winter,  under  the  lee  of  a  few  bushes,  and  not  a  fish  will 
he  catch,  after  all  this  mortification  of  the  flesh.  No,  no — 
give  me  a  good  seine  that's  fifty  or  sixty  fathoms  in  length, 
with  a  jolly  parcel  of  boatmen  to  crack  their  jokes  the  while, 
with  Benjamin  to  steer,  and  let  us  haul  them  in  by  thoii" 
sands  ;  I  call  that  fishing." 

"Ah!  Dickon,"  cried  Marmaduke,  "  thou  knowest  but 
little  of  the  pleasure  there  is  in  playing  with  the  hook  and 
line,  or  thou  wouldst  be  more  saving  of  the  game.  I  have 
known  thee  to  leave  fragments  enough  behind  thee,  when 
thou  hast  headed  a  night-party  on  the  lake,  to  feed  a  dozen 
famishing  families." 

"I  shall  not  dispute  the  matter,  Judge  Temple;  this 
night  will  I  go  :  and  I  invite  the  company  to  attend,  and 
then  let  them  decide  between  us." 

Richard  was  busy  during  most  of  the  afternoon,  making 
his  preparations  for  the  important  occasion.  Just  as  the 
light  of  the  setting  sun  had  disappeared,  and  a  new  moon 
had  begun  to  throw  its  shadows  on  the  earth,  the  fisher- 
men took  their  departure  in  a  boat,  for  a  point  that  was 
situated  on  the  western  shore  of  the  lake,  at  the  distance 
of  rather  more  than  half  a  mile  from  the  village.  The 
ground  had  become  settled,  and  the  walking  was  good  and 
dry.  Marmaduke,  with  his  daughter,  her  friend,  and  young 
Edwards,  continued  on  the  high  grassy  banks  at  the  outlet 
of  the  placid  sheet  of  water,  watching  the  dark  object  that 
was  moving  across  the  lake,  until  it  entered  the  shade  of 
the  western  hills,  and  was  lost  to  the  eye.  The  distance 
round  by  land  to  the  point  of  destination  was  a  mile,  and 
he  observed  : 

"  It  is  time  for  us  to  be  moving  ;  the  moon  will  be  down 
ere  we  reach  the  point,  and  then  the  miraculous  hauls  of 
Dickon  will  commence." 

The  evening  was  warm,  and,  after  the  long  and  dreary 
winter  from  which  they  had  just  escaped,  delightfully  in- 
vigorating. Inspirited  by  the  scene  and  their  anticipated 
amusement,  the  youthful  companions  of  the  Judge  fol- 
lowed his  steps,  as  he  led  them  along  the  shores  of  the 
Otsego,  and  through  the  skirts  of  the  village. 

"  See  !  "  said  young  Edwards,  "they  are  building  their 
fire  already  ;  it  glimmers  for  a  moment,  and  dies  again  like 
the  light  of  a  fire-fly." 

"Now  it  blazes,"  cried  Elizabeth;  "you  can  perceive 


134  THE  PIONEERS. 

figures  moving  around  the  light.  Oh  !  I  would  bet  my 
jewels  against  the  gold  beads  of  Remarkable,  that  my  im- 
patient Cousin  Dickon  had  an  agency  in  raising  that  bright 
flame :  and  see  ;  it  fades  again,  like  most  of  his  brilliant 
schemes." 

"  Thou  hast  guessed  the  truth,  Bess,"  said  her  father; 
"  he  has  thrown  an  armful  of  brush  on  the  pile,  which  has 
burnt  out  as  soon  as  lighted.  But  it  has  enabled  them 
to  find  a  better  fuel,  for  their  fire  begins  to  blaze  with  a 
more  steady  flame.  It  is  the  true  fisherman's  beacon  now  ; 
observe  how  beautifully  it  throws  its  little  circle  of  light 
on  the  water  !  " 

The  appearance  of  the  fire  urged  the  pedestrians  on,  for 
even  the  ladies  had  become  eager  to  witness  the  miracu- 
lous draught.  By  the  time  they  reached  the  bank,  which 
roae  above  the  low  point  where  the  fishermen  had  landed, 
the  moon  had  sunk  behind  the  tops  of  the  western  pines, 
and,  as  most  of  the  stars  were  obscured  by  clouds,  there 
was  but  little  other  light  than  that  which  proceeded  from 
the  fire.  At  the  suggestion  of  Marmaduke,  his  companions 
paused  to  listen  to  the  conversation  of  those  below  them, 
and  examine  the  party  for  a  moment  before  they  descended 
to  the  shore. 

The  whole  group  were  seated  around  the  fire,  with  the 
exception  of  Richard  and  Benjamin  ;  the  former  of  whom 
occupied  the  root  of  a  decayed  stump,  that  had  been  drawn 
to  the  spot  as  part  of  their  fuel,  and  the  latter  was  stand- 
ing, with  his  arms  a-kimbo,  so  near  to  the  flame,  that  the 
smoke  occasionally  obscured  his  solemn  visage,  as  it  waved 
around  the  pile,  in  obedience  to  the  night  airs  that  swept 
gently  over  the  water. 

"Why,  look  you,  squire,"  said  the  major-domo,  "you 
may  call  a  lake-fish  that  will  weigh  twenty  or  thirty  pounds 
a  serious  matter  ;  but  to  a  man  who  has  hauled  in  a  shovel- 
nosed  shirk,  d'ye  see,  it's  but  a  poor  kind  of  fishing  after 
all." 

"I  don't  know,  Benjamin,"  returned  the  sheriff ;  "a  haul 
of  one  thousand  Otsego  bass,  without  counting  pike,  pick- 
erel, perch,  bull-pouts,  salmon-trouts,  and  suckers,  is  no 
bad  fishing,  let  me  tell  you.  There  may  be  sport  in  stick- 
ing a  shark,  but  what  is  he  good  for  after  you  have  got 
him  ?  Now,  any  one  of  the  fish  that  I  have  named  is  fit  to 
set  before  a  king." 

"Well,  squire,"  returned  Benjamin,  "just  listen  to  the 


THE  PIONEERS.  235 

philosophy  of  the  thing.  Would  it  stand  to  reason,  that 
such  fish  should  live  and  be  catched  in  this  here  little  pond 
of  water,  where  it's  hardly  deep  enough  to  drown  a  man, 
as  you'll  find  in  the  wide  ocean,  where,  as  everybody  knowrs, 
that  is,  everybody  that  has  followed  the  seas,  whales  and 
grampuses  are  to  be  seen,  that  are  as  long  as  one  of  the 
pine-trees  on  yonder  mountain  ?" 

"Softly,  softly,  Benjamin,"  said  the  sheriff,  as  if  he 
wished  to  save  the  credit  of  his  favorite  ;  4<  why,  some  of 
the  pines  will  measure  two  hundred  feet,  and  even  more." 

"  Two  hundred  or  two  thousand,  it's  all  the  same  thing," 
cried  Benjamin,  with  an  air  which  manifested  that  he  was 
not  easily  to  be  bullied  out  of  his  opinion,  on  a  subject  like 
the  present.  "  Haven't  I  been  there,  and  haven't  I  seen  ? 
I  have  said  that  you  fall  in  with  whales  as  long  as  one  of 
them  there  pines  ;  and  what  I  have  once  said  I'll  stand 
to!" 

During  this  dialogue,  which  was  evidently  but  the  close 
of  much  longer  discussion,  the  huge  frame  of  Billy  Kirby 
was  seen  extended  on  one  side  of  the  fire,  where  he  was 
picking  his  teeth  with  splinters  of  the  chips  near  him,  and 
occasionally  shaking  his  head  with  distrust  of  Benjamin's 
assertions. 

"I've  a  notion,"  said  the  wood-chopper,  "that  there's 
water  in  this  lake  to  swim  the  biggest  whale  that  ever  was 
invented  ;  and,  as  to  the  pines,  I  think  I  ought  to  know 
so'thing  consarning  them  ;  I  have  chopped  many  a  one 
that  was  sixty  times  the  length  of  my  helve,  without  count- 
ing the  eye  :  and  I  believe,  Benny,  that  if  the  old  pine  that 
stands  in  the  hollow  of  the  Vision  Mountain,  just  over  the 
village — you  may  see  the  tree  itself  by  looking  up,  for  the 
moon  is  on  its  top  yet — well,  now  I  believe,  if  that  same 
tree  was  planted  out  in  the  deepest  part  of  the  lake,  there 
would  be  water  enough  for  the  biggest  ship  that  ever  was 
built  to  float  over  it,  without  touching  its  upper  branches, 
I  do." 

"  Did'ee  ever  see  a  ship,  Master  Kirby?"  roared  the 
steward,  "  did'ee  ever  see  a  ship,  man  ?  or  any  craft  bigger 
than  a  lime-scow,  or  a  wood-boat,  on  this  here  small  bit  of 
fresh  water  ? " 

"  Yes,  I  have,"  said  the  wood-chopper,  stoutly  ;  "  I  can 
say  that  I  have,  and  tell  no  lie." 

"  Did'ee  ever  see  a  British  ship,  Master  Kirby  ?  an  Eng- 
lish line-of-battle  ship,  boy  ?  Where  did'ee  ever  fall  in 


236  THE  PIONEERS. 

with  a  regular-built  vessel,  with  starn-post  and  cut-water,, 
garboard-streak  and  blank-shear,  gangways,  and  hatch" 
ways,  and  waterways,  quarter-deck,  and  forecastle,  ay, 
and  flush-deck  ? — tell  me  that,  man,  if  you  can  ;  where 
away  did'ee  ever  fall  in  with  a  full-rigged,  regular-built, 
decked  vessel  ? " 

The  whole  company  were  a  good  deal  astounded  with 
this  overwhelming  question,  and  even  Richard  afterward 
remarked  that  it  "was  a  thousand  pities  that  Benjamin 
could  not  read,  or  he  must  have  made  a  valuable  officer  to 
the  British  marine.  It  is  no  wonder  that  they  overcame  the 
French  so  easily  on  the  water,  when  ev@n  the  lowest  sailor 
so  well  understood  the  different  parts  of  a  vessel."  But 
Billy  Kirby  was  a  fearless  wight,  and  had  great  jealousy  of 
foreign  dictation  ;  he  had  risen  on  his  feet,  and  turned  his 
back  to  the  fire,  during  the  voluble  delivery  of  this  inter- 
rogatory ;  and  when  the  steward  ended,  contrary  to  all  ex- 
pectation, he  gave  the  following  spirited  reply : 

"Where  !  why,  on  the  North  River,  and  maybe  on  Cham- 
plain.  There's  sloops  on  the  river,  boy,  that  would  give 
a  hard  time  on't  to  the  stoutest  vessel  King  George  owns. 
They  carry  masts  of  ninety  feet  in  the  clear  of  good  solid 
pine,  for  I've  been  at  the  chopping  of  many  a  one  in  Var- 
mount  State.  I  wish  I  was  captain  in  one  of  them,  and 
you  was  in  that  Board-dish  that  you  talk  so  much  about  ; 
and  we'd  soon  see  what  good  Yankee  stuff  is  made  on,  and 
whether  a  Varmounter's  hide  an't  as  thick  as  an  English- 
man's." 

The  echoes  from  the  opposite  hills,  which  were  more 
than  half  a  mile  from  the  fishing  point,  sent  back  the  dis- 
cordant laugh  that  Benjamin  gave  forth  at  this  challenge  ; 
and  the  woods  that  covered  their  sides  seemed,  by  the 
noise  that  issued  from  their  shades,  to  be  full  of  mocking 
demons. 

"  Let  us  descend  to  the  shore,"  whispered  Marmaduke, 
"or  there  will  soon  be  ill-blood  between  them.  Benjamin 
is  a  fearless  boaster  :  and  Kirby,  though  good-natured,  is 
a  careless  son  of  the  forest,  who  thinks  one  American  more 
than  a  match  for  six  Englishmen.  I  marvel  that  Dickon 
is  silent,  where  there  is  such  a  trial  of  skill  in  the  superla- 
tive ! " 

The  appearance  of  Judge  Temple  and  the  ladies  pro- 
duced, if  not  a  pacification,  at  least  a  cessation  of  hostili" 
tics.  Obedient  to  the  directions  of  Mr.  Jones,  the  fisher; 


THE  PIONEERS.  237 

men  prepared  to  launch  their  boat,  which  had  been  seen 
in  the  background  of  the  view,  with  the  net  carefully  dis- 
posed on  a  little  platform  in  its  stern,  ready  for  service. 
Richard  gave  vent  to  his  reproaches  at  the  tardiness  of 
the  pedestrians,  when  all  the  turbulent  passions  of  the 
party  were  succeeded  by  a  calm,  as  mild  and  as  placid  as 
that  which  prevailed  over  the  beautiful  sheet  of  water  that 
they  were  about  to  rifle  of  its  best  treasures. 

The  night  had  now  become  so  dark  as  to  render  objects, 
without  the  reach  of  the  light  of  the  fire,  not  only  indis- 
tinct, but  in  most  cases  invisible.  For  a  little  distance  the 
water  was  discernible,  glistening,  as  the  glare  from  the  fire 
danced  over  its  surface,  touching  it  here  and  there  with 
red  quivering  streaks  ;  but,  at  a  hundred  feet  from  the 
shore,  there  lay  a  boundary  of  impenetrable  gloom.  One 
or  two  stars  were  shining  through  the  openings  of  the 
clouds,  and  the  lights  were  seen  in  the  village,  glimmer- 
ing faintly,  as  if  at  an  immeasurable  distance.  At  times, 
as  the  fire  lowered,  or  as  the  horizon  cleared,  the  outline 
of  the  mountain,  on  the  other  side  of  the  lake,  might  be 
traced  by  its  undulations ;  but  its  shadow  was  cast,  wide 
and  dense,  on  the  bosom  of  the  water,  rendering  the  dark- 
ness in  that  direction  trebly  deep. 

Benjamin  Pump  was  invariably  the  coxswain  and  net- 
caster  of  Richard's  boat,  unless  the  sheriff  saw  fit  to  pre- 
side in  person  ;  and,  on  the  present  occasion,  Billy  Kirby, 
and  a  youth  of  about  half  his  strength,  were  assigned  to 
the  oars.  The  remainder  of  the  assistants  were  stationed 
at  the  drag-ropes.  The  arrangements  were  speedily  made, 
and  Richard  gave  the  signal  to  "shove  off." 

Elizabeth  watched  the  motion  of  the  batteau  as  it  pulled 
from  the  shore,  letting  loose  its  rope  as  it  went,  but  it  soon 
disappeared  in  the  darkness,  when  the  ear  was  her  only 
guide  to  its  evolutions.  There  was  great  affectation  of  still- 
ness during  all  these  manoeuvres,  in  order,  as  Richard  as- 
sured them,  "  not  to  frighten  the  bass,  who  were  running 
into  the  shoal  waters,  and  who  would  approach  the  light 
if  not  disturbed  by  the  sounds  from  the  fishermen." 

The  hoarse  voice  of  Benjamin  was  alone  heard  issuing 
out  of  the  gloom,  as  he  uttered,  in  authoritative  tones,  "  Pull 
larboard  oar,"  "Pull  starboard,"  "Give  way  together,  boys," 
and  such  other  dictative  mandates  as  were  necessary  fof 
the  right  disposition  of  his  seine.  A  long  time  was  passed 
ic.  this  necessary  part  of  the  process,  for  Benjamin  prided 


238  THE  PIONEERS. 

himself  greatly  on  his  skill  in  throwing  the  net,  and,  in 
fact,  most  of  the  success  of  the  sport  depended  on  its  be- 
ing done  with  judgment.  At  length  a  loud  splash  in  the 
water,  as  he  threw  away  the  "  staff,"  or  "stretcher,"  with 
a  hoarse  call  from  the  steward  of  "  clear,"  announced  that 
the  boat  was  returning  ;  when  Richard  seized  a  brand  from 
the  fire,  and  ran  to  a  point,  as  far  above  the  centre  of  the 
fishing-ground,  as  the  one  from  which  the  batteau  had 
started  was  below  it. 

"  Stick  her  in  dead  for  the  squire,  boys,"  said  the  stew- 
ard, "  and  we'll  have  a  look  at  what  grows  in  this  here 
pond." 

In  place  of  the  falling  net  were  now  to  be  heard  the 
quick  strokes  of  the  oars,  and  the  noise  of  the  rope  run- 
ning out  of  the  boat.  Presently  the  batteau  shot  into  the 
circle  of  light,  and  in  an  instant  she  was  pulled  to  the 
shore.  Several  eager  hands  were  extended  to  receive 
the  line,  and,  both  ropes  being  equally  well  manned,  the 
fisherman  commenced  hauling  in  with  slow,  and  steady 
drags,  Richard  standing  to  the  centre,  giving  orders,  first 
to  one  party,  and  then  to  the  other,  to  increase  or  slacken 
their  efforts,  as  occasion  required.  The  visitors  were 
posted  near  him,  and  enjoyed  a  fair  view  of  the  whole 
operation,  which  was  slowly  advancing  to  an  end. 

Opinions  as  to  the  result  of  their  adventure  were  now 
freely  hazarded  by  all  the  men,  some  declaring  that  the 
net  came  in  as  light  as  a  feather,  and  others  affirming  that 
it  seemed  to  be  full  of  logs.  As  the  ropes  were  many 
hundred  feet  in  length,  these  opposing  sentiments  were 
thought  to  be  of  little  moment  by  the  sheriff,  who  would 
go  first  to  one  line,  and  then  to  the  other,  giving  each  a 
small  pull,  in  order  to  enable  him  to  form  an  opinion  for 
himself. 

"Why,  Benjamin,"  he  cried,  as  he  made  his  first  effort 
in  this  way,  "you  did  not  throw  the  net  clear.  I  can 
move  it  with  my  little  finger.  The  rope  slackens  in  my 
hand." 

"Did  you  ever  see  a  whale,  squire?"  responded  the 
steward  :  "  I  say  that,  if  that  there  net  is  foul,  the  devil  is 
in  the  lake  in  the  shape  of  a  fish,  for  I  cast  it  as  far  as  ever 
rigging  was  rove  over  the  quarter-deck  of  a  flag-ship." 

But  Richard  discovered  his  mistake,  when  he  saw  Billy 
Kirby  before  him,  standing  with  his  feet  in  the  water,  at 
an  angle  of  forty-five  degrees,  inclining  southward,  and 


THE  PIONEERS.  239 

expending  his  gigantic  strength  in  sustaining  himself  in 
that  posture.  He  ceased  his  remonstrances,  and  proceed- 
ed to  the  party  at  the  other  line. 

"I  see  the 'staffs,' "  shouted  Mr.  Jones — "gather  in, 
boys,  and  away  with  it ;  to  shore  with  her  ! — to  shore  with 
her !  " 

At  this  cheerful  sound,  Elizabeth  strained  her  eyes  and 
saw  the  ends  of  the  two  sticks  on  the  seine  emerging  from 
the  darkness,  while  the  men  closed  near  to  each  other,  and 
formed  a  deep  bag  of  their  net.  The  exertions  of  the 
fishermen  sensibly  increased,  and  the  voice  of  Richard 
was  heard  encouraging  them  to  make  their  greatest  efforts 
at  the  present  moment. 

"Now's  the  time,  my  lads,"  he  cried  ;  "let  us  get  the 
ends  to  land,  and  all  we  have  will  be  our  own — away  with 
her!" 

"Away  with  her,  it  is,"  echoed  Benjamin! — " hurrah! 
ho-a-hoy,  ho-a-hoy,  ho-a  !  " 

"In  with  her,"  shouted  Kirby,  exerting  himself  in  a 
manner  that  left  nothing  for  those  in  his  rear  to  do,  but  to 
gather  up  the  slack  of  the  rope  which  passed  through  his 
hands. 

"  Staff,  ho  !  "  shouted  the  steward. 

"  Staff,  ho  ! "  echoed  Kirby,  from  the  other  rope. 

The  men  rushed  to  the  water's  edge,  some  seizing  the 
upper  rope,  and  some  the  lower,  or  lead  rope,  and  began 
to  haul  with  great  activity  and  zeal.  A  deep  semicircular 
sweep  of  the  little  balls  that  supported  the  seine  in  its  per- 
pendicular position,  was  plainly  visible  to  the  spectators, 
and,  as  it  rapidly  lessened  in  size,  the  bag  of  the  net  ap- 
peared, while  an  occasional  flutter  on  the  water  an- 
nounced the  uneasiness  of  the  prisoners  it  contained. 

"  Haul  in,  my  lads,"  shouted  Richard — "lean  see  the 
dogs  kicking  to  get  free.  Haul  in,  and  here's  a  cast  that 
will  pay  for  the  labor." 

Fishes  of  various  sorts  were  now  to  be  seen,  entangled 
in  the  meshes  of  the  net,  as  it  was  passed  through  the 
hands  of  the  laborers ;  and  the  water,  at  a  little  distance 
from  the  shore,  was  alive  with  the  movements  of  the 
alarmed  victims.  Hundreds  of  white  sides  were  glancing 
up  to  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  glistening  in  the 
firelight,  when,  frightened  at  the  uproar  and  the  change, 
the  fish  would  again  dart  to  the  bottom,  in  fruitless  efforts 
for  freedom. 


•40  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  Hurrah  !  "  shouted  Richard  :  "  one  or  two  more  heavy 
drags,  boys,  and  we  are  safe." 

"Cheerily,  boys,  cheerily  !"  cried  Benjamin;  "I  see  a 
salmon-trout  that  is  big  enough  for  a  chowder." 

"  Away  with  you,  you  varmint ! "  said  Billy  Kirby, 
plucking  a  bull-pout  from  the  meshes,  and  casting  the 
animal  back  into  the  lake  with  contempt.  "  Pull,  boys, 
pull  ;  here's  all  kinds,  and  the  Lord  condemn  me  for  a 
liar,  if  there  an't  a  thousand  bass  !" 

Inflamed  beyond  the  bounds  of  discretion  at  the  sight, 
and  forgetful  of  the  season,  the  wood-chopper  rushed  to 
his  middle  into  the  water,  and  began  to  drive  the  reluctant 
animals  before  him  from  their  native  element. 

"  Pull  heartily,  boys,"  cried  Marmaduke,  yielding  to  the 
excitement  of  the  moment,  and  laying  his  hands  to  the  net, 
with  no  trifling  addition  to  the  force.  Edwards  had  pre- 
ceded him  ;  for  the  sight  of  the  immense  piles  of  fish,  that 
were  slowly  rolling  over  on  the  gravelly  beach  had  impelled 
him  also  to  leave  the  ladies  and  join  the  fishermen. 

Great  care  was  observed  in  bringing  the  net  to  land,  and, 
after  much  toil,  the  whole  shoal  of  victims  was  safely  de- 
posited in  a  hollow  of  the  bank,  where  they  were  left  to 
flutter  away  their  brief  existence  in  the  new  and  fatal  ele- 
ment. 

Even  Elizabeth  and  Louisa  were  greatly  excited  and 
highly  gratified  by  seeing  two  thousand  captives  thus 
drawn  from  the  bosom  of  the  lake,  and  laid  prisoners  at 
their  feet.  But  when  the  feelings  of  the  moment  were 
passing  away,  Marmaduke  took  in  his  hands  a  bass,  that 
might  have  weighed  two  pounds,  and  after  viewing  it  a 
moment,  in  melancholy  musing,  he  turned  to  his  daughter, 
and  observed : 

"  This  is  a  fearful  expenditure  of  the  choicest  gifts  of 
Providence.  These  fish,  Bess,  which  thou  seest  lying  in 
such  piles  before  thee,  and  which  by  to-morrow  evening 
will  be  rejected  food  on  the  meanest  table  in  Templeton, 
are  of  a  quality  and  flavor  that,  in  other  countries,  would 
make  them  esteemed  a  luxury  on  the  tables  of  princes  or 
epicures.  The  world  has  no  better  fish  than  the  bass  of 
Otsego  ;  it  unites  the  richness  of  the  shad  *  to  the  firmness 
of  the  salmon." 


*  Of  all  the  fish  the  writer  has  ever  tasted,  he  thinks  the  one  in  question 
the  best. 


THE  PIONEERS.  241 

"  But  surely,  dear  sir,"  cried  Elizabeth,  "  they  must  prove 
a  great  blessing  to  the  country,  and  a  powerful  friend  to 
the  poor." 

"  The  poor  are  always  prodigal,  my  child,  where  there 
is  plenty,  and  seldom  think  of  a  provision  against  the 
morrow.  But,  if  there  can  be  any  excuse  for  destroying 
animals  in  this  manner,  it  is  in  taking  the  bass.  During 
the  winter,  you  know,  they  are  entirely  protected  from  our 
assaults  by  the  ice,  for  they  refuse  the  hook  ;  and  during 
the  hot  months  they  are  not  seen.  It  is  supposed  they  re- 
treat to  the  deep  and  cool  waters  of  the  lake,  at  that  sea- 
son ;  and  it  is  only  in  the  spring  and  autumn  that,  for  a 
few  days,  they  are  to  be  found  around  the  points  where 
they  are  within  the  reach  of  a  seine.  But,  like  all  the  other 
treasures  of  the  wilderness,  they  already  begin  to  disappear 
before  the  wasteful  extravagance  of  man." 

"  Disappear,  'duke  !  disappear!  "  exclaimed  the  sheriff  ; 
"if  you  don't  call  this  appearing,  I  know  not  what  you 
will.  Here  are  a  good  thousand  of  the  shiners,  some  hun- 
dreds of  suckers,  and  a  powerful  quantity  of  other  fry. 
But  this  is  always  the  way  with  you,  Marmaduke  ;  first 
it's  the  trees,  then  it's  the  deer  ;  after  that  it's  the  maple 
sugar,  and  so  on  to  the  end  of  the  chapter.  One  day 
you  talk  of  canals  through  a  country  where  there's  a 
river  or  a  lake  every  half-mile,  just  because  the  water 
won't  run  the  way  you  wish  it  to  go  ;  and,  the  next,  you 
say  something  about  mines  of  coal,  though  any  man  who 
has  good  eyes  like  myself — I  say  with  good  eyes — can  see 
more  wood  than  would  keep  the  city  of  London  in  fuel  for 
fifty  years  ;  wouldn't  it,  Benjamin  ?  " 

"  Why,  for  that,  squire,"  said  the  steward,  "  Lon'on  is  no 
small  place.  If  it  was  stretched  an  end,  all  the  same  as  a 
town  on  one  side  of  the  river,  it  would  cover  some  such 
matter  as  this  here  lake.  Tho'f  I  dar'st  to  say,  that  the 
wood  in  sight  might  sarve  them  a  good  turn,  seeing  that 
the  Lon'oners  mainly  burn  coal." 

"  Now  we  are  en  the  subject  of  coal,  Judge  Temple," 
interrupted  the  sheriff,  "  I  have  a  thing  of  much  impor- 
tance to  communicate  to  you  ;  but  I  will  defer  it  until  to- 
morrow. I  know  that  you  intend  riding  into  the  eastern 
part  of  the  Patent,  and  I  will  accompany  you,  and  conduct 
you  to  a  spot  where  some  of  your  projects  may  be  real- 
ized. We  will  say  no  more  now,  for  there  are  listeners  ;  but 
a  secret  has  this  evening  been  revealed  to  me,  'duke,  that 
16 


242  THE  PIONEERS. 

is  of  more  consequence  to  your  welfare  than  all  your  e^ 
tate  united." 

Marmaduke  laughed  at  the  important  intelligence,  to 
which  in  a  variety  of  shapes  he  was  accustomed,  and  the 
sheriff,  with  an  air  of  great  dignity,  as  if  pitying  his  want 
of  faith,  proceeded  in  the  business  more  immediately  be- 
fore them.  As  the  labor  of  drawing  the  net  had  been  very 
great,  he  directed  one  party  of  his  men  to  commence  throw- 
ing the  fish  into  piles,  preparatory  to  the  usual  division, 
while  another,  under  the  superintendence  of  Benjamin, 
prepared  the  seine  for  a  second  haul. 


CHAPTER    XXIV. 

"  While  from  its  margin,  terrible  to  tell ! 
Three  sailors  with  their  gallant  boatswain  fell." — FALCONER. 

WHILE  the  fishermen  were  employed  in  making  the  prep- 
arations for  an  equitable  division  of  the  spoil,  Elizabeth 
and  her  friend  strolled  a  short  distance  from  the  group, 
along  the  shore  of  the  lake.  After  reaching  a  point,  to 
which  even  the  brightest  of  the  occasional  gleams  of  the 
fire  did  not  extend,  they  turned,  and  paused  a  moment,  in 
contemplation  of  the  busy  and  lively  party  they  had  left, 
and  of  the  obscurity,  which,  like  the  gloom  of  oblivion, 
seemed  to  envelop  the  rest  of  the  creation. 

"  This  is  indeed  a  subject  for  the  pencil!"  exclaimed 
Elizabeth.  "  Observe  the  countenance  of  that  wood- 
chopper,  while  he  exults  in  presenting  a  larger  fish  than 
common  to  my  cousin  sheriff  ;  and  see,  Louisa,  how  hand- 
some and  considerate  my  dear  father  looks,  by  the  light 
of  that  fire,  where  he  stands  viewing  the  havoc  of  the  game. 
He  seems  melancholy,  as  if  he  actually  thought  that  a  day 
of  retribution  was  to  follow  this  hour  of  abundance  and 
prodigality  !  Would  they  not  make  a  picture,  Louisa?" 

"  You  know  that  I  am  ignorant  of  all  such  accomplish- 
ments,  Miss  Temple." 

"Call  me  by  my  Christian  name,"  interrupted  Elizabeth  • 
0<  this  is  not  a  place,  neither  is  this  a  scene,  for  forms." 

''Well,  then,  if  I  may  venture  an  opinion,"  said  Louisa, 
timidly,  "  I  should  think  it  might  indeed  make  a  picture. 
The  selfish  earnestness  of  that  Kirby  over  his  fish  would 
contrast  finely  with  the — the — expression  of  Mr.  Edwards's 


THE  PIONEERS.  343 

face.  I  hardly  know  what  to  call  it  ;  but  it  is — a — is — you 
know  what  I  would  say,  dear  Elizabeth." 

"  You  do  me  too  much  credit,  Miss  Grant,"  said  the 
heiress  ;  "  I  am  no  diviner  of  thoughts,  or  interpreter  of 
expressions."  . 

There  was  certainly  nothing  harsh,  or  even  cold  in  the 
manner  of  the  speaker,  but  still  it  repressed  the  conversa- 
tion, and  they  continued  to  stroll  still  farther  from  the 
party,  retaining  each  other's  arm,  but  observing  a  profound 
silence.  Elizabeth,  perhaps,  conscious  of  the  improper 
phraseology  of  her  last  speech,  or  perhaps  excited  by  the 
new  object  that  met  her  gaze,  was  the  first  to  break  the 
awkward  cessation  in  the  discourse,  by  exclaiming  : 

"  Look,  Louisa  !  we  are  not  alone  ;  there  are  fishermen 
lighting  a  fire  on  the  other  side  of  the  lake,  immediately 
opposite  to  us  ;  it  must  be  in  front  of  the  cabin  of  Leather- 
Stocking  ! " 

Through  the  obscurity,  which  prevailed  most  imme- 
diately under  the  eastern  mountain,  a  small  and  uncertain 
light  was  plainly  to  be  seen,  though,  as  it  was  occasionally 
lost  to  the  eye,  it  seemed  struggling  for  existence.  They 
observed  it  to  move,  and  sensibly  to  lower,  as  if  carried 
down  the  descent  of  the  bank  to  the  shore.  Here,  in  a 
very  short  time,  its  flame  gradually  expanded,  and  grew 
brighter,  until  it  became  of  the  size  of  a  man's  head,  when 
it  continued  to  shine  a  steady  ball  of  fire.  Such  an  object, 
lighted  as  it  were  by  magic,  under  the  brow  of  the  moun- 
tain, and  in  that  retired  and  unfrequented  place,  gave 
double  interest  to  the  beauty  and  singularity  of  its  appear- 
ance. It  did  not  at  all  resemble  the  large  and  unsteady 
light  of  their  own  fire,  being  much  more  clear  and  bright, 
and  retaining  its  size  and  shape  with  perfect  uniformity. 

There  are  moments  when  the  best-regulated  minds  are 
more  or  less  subjected  to  the  injurious  impressions  which 
few  have  escaped  in  infancy  ;  and  Elizabeth  smiled  at  her 
own  weakness,  while  she  remembered  the  idle  tales  which 
were  circulated  through  the  village,  at  the  expense  of  the 
Leather-Stocking.  The  same  ideas  seized  her  companion, 
and  at  the  same  instant,  for  Louisa  pressed  nearer  to  her 
friend,  as  she  said  in  a  low  voice,  stealing  a  timid  glance 
toward  the  bushes  and  trees  that  overhung  the  bank  near 
them  : 

"  Did  you  ever  hear  the  singular  ways  of  this  Natty 
spoken  of,  Miss  Temple  ?  They  say  that,  in  his  youth,  ho 


244  THE  PIONEERS. 

was  an  Indian  warrior  ;  or,  what  is  the  same  thing,  a  white 
man  leagued  with  the  savages  ;  and  it  is  thought  he  has 
been  concerned  in  many  of  their  inroads,  in  the  old  wars." 

"  The  thing  is  not  at  all  improbable,"  returned  Eliza- 
beth ;  "  he  is  not  alone  in  that  particular." 

"  No,  surely  ;  but  is  it  not  strange  that  he  is  so  cautious 
with  his  hut  ?  He  never  leaves  it,  without  fastening  it  in 
a  remarkable  manner ;  and  in  several  instances,  when  the 
children,  or  even  the  men  of  the  village,  have  wished  to 
seek  a  shelter  there  from  the  storms,  he  has  been  known 
to  drive  them  from  his  door  with  rudeness  and  threats. 
That  surely  is  singular  in  this  country  !'" 

"  It  is  certainly  not  very  hospitable  ;  but  we  must  re- 
member his  aversion  to  the  customs  of  civilized  life.  You 
heard  my  father  say,  a  few  days  since,  how  kindly  he  was 
treated  by  him  on  his  first  visit  to  his  place."  Elizabeth 
paused,  and  smiled,  with  an  expression  of  peculiar  arch- 
ness, though  the  darkness  hid  its  meaning  from  her  com- 
panion, as  she  continued  :  "  Besides,  he  certainly  admits 
the  visits  of  Mr.  Edwards,  whom  we  both  know  to  be  far 
from  a  savage." 

To  this  speech  Louisa  made  no  reply,  but  continued 
gazing  on  the  object  which  had  elicited  her  remarks.  In 
addition  to  the  bright  and  circular  flame,  was  now  to  be 
seen  a  fainter,  though  a  vivid  light,  of  an  equal  diameter 
to  the  other  at  the  upper  end,  but  which,  after  extending 
downward  for  many  feet,  gradually  tapered  to  a  point  at 
its  lower  extremity.  A  dark  space  was  plainly  visible  be- 
tween the  two,  and  the  new  illumination  was  placed  be- 
neath the  other  ;  the  whole  forming  an  appearance  not 
unlike  an  inverted  note  of  admiration.  It  was  soon  evi- 
dent that  the  latter  was  nothing  but  the  reflection,  from 
the  water,  of  the  former,  and  that  the  object,  whatever  it 
might  be,  was  advancing  across,  or  rather  over  the  lake, 
for  it  seemed  to  be  several  feet  above  its  surface,  in  a  di- 
rect line  with  themselves.  Its  motion  was  amazingly  rapid, 
the  ladies  having  hardly  discovered  that  it  was  moving  at 
all,  before  the  waving  light  of  a  flame  was  discerned,  los* 
ing  its  regular  shape,  while  it  increased  in  size,  as  it  ap- 
proached. 

"  It  appears  to  be  supernatural !  "  whispered  Louisa,  be- 
ginning to  retrace  her  steps  toward  the  party. 

"  It  is  beautiful  !  "  exclaimed  Elizabeth. 

A  brilliant  though  waving  flame  was  now  plainly  visibly 


THE  PIONEERS.  ±45 

gracefully  gliding  over  the  lake,  and  throwing  its  light  on 
the  water  in  such  a  manner  as  to  tinge  it  slightly  ;  though 
in  the  air,  so  strong  was  the  contrast,  the  darkness  seemed 
to  have  the  distinctness  of  material  substances,  as  if  the 
fire  were  imbedded  in  a  setting  of  ebony.  This  appear- 
ance, however,  gradually  wore  off,  and  the  rays  from  the 
torch  struck  out,  and  enlightened  the  atmosphere  in  front 
of  it,  leaving  the  background  in  a  darkness  that  was  more 
impenetrable  than  ever. 

"  Ho  !  Natty,  is  that  you  ? "  shouted  the  sheriif.  "  Pad- 
dle in,  old  boy,  and  I'll  give  you  a  mess  of  fish  that  is  fit 
to  place  before  the  governor." 

The  light  suddenly  changed  its  direction,  and  a  long  and 
slightly  built  boat  hove  up  out  of  the  gloom,  while  the 
red  glare  fell  on  the  weather-beaten  features  of  the 
Leather-Stocking,  whose  tall  person  was  seen  erect  in  the 
frail  vessel,  wielding,  with  the  grace  of  an  experienced 
boatman,  a  long  fishing-spear,  which  he  held  by  its  centre, 
first  dropping  one  end  and  then  the  other  into  the  water, 
to  aid  in  propelling  the  little  canoe  of  bark,  we  will  not 
say  through,  but  over,  the  water.  At  the  farther  end  of 
the  vessel  a  form  was  faintly  seen,  guiding  its  motions,  and 
using  a  paddle  with  the  ease  of  one  who  felt  there  was  no 
necessity  for  exertion.  The  Leather-Stocking  struck  his 
spear  lightly  against  the  short  staff  which  upheld,  on  a 
rude  grating  framed  of  old  hoops  of  iron,  the  knots  of 
pine  that  composed  the  fuel,  and  the  light,  which  glared 
high,  for  an  instant  fell  on  the  swarthy  features,  and  dark, 
glancing  eyes  of  Mohegan. 

The  boat  glided  along  the  shore  until  it  arrived  opposite 
the  fishing-ground,  when  it  again  changed  its  direction, 
and  moved  on  to  the  land,  with  a  motion  so  graceful,  and 
yet  so  rapid,  that  it  seemed  to  possess  the  power  of  reg- 
ulating its  own  progress.  The  water  in  front  of  the  canoe 
was  hardly  ruffled  by  its  passage,  and  no  sound  betrayed 
the  collision,  when  the  light  fabric  shot  on  the  gravelly 
beach  for  nearly  half  its  length,  Natty  receding-  a  step  or 
two  from  its  bow,  in  order  to  facilitate  the  landing. 

"Approach,  Mohegan,"  said  Marmaduke  ;  "  approach, 
Leather-Stocking,  and  load  your  canoe  with  bass.  It 
would  be  a  shame  to  assail  the  animals  with  the  spear, 
when  such  multitudes  of  victims  lie  here,  that  will  be  lost 
as  food  for  the  want  of  mouths  to  consume  them." 

"  No,  no,  Judge,"  returned  Natty,  his  tall  figure  stalking 


246  THE  PIONEERS. 

over  the  narrow  beach,  and  ascending  to  the  little  grassy 
bottom  where  the  fish  were  laid  in  piles  ;  "  I  eat  of  no 
man's  wasty  ways.  I  strike  my  spear  into  the  eels  or  the 
trout,  when  I  crave  the  creaters  ;  but  I  wouldn't  be  help- 
ing to  such  a  sinful  kind  of  fishing  for  the  best  rifle  that 
was  ever  brought  out  from  the  old  countries.  If  they  had 
fur,  like  the  beaver,  or  you  could  tan  their  hides,  like  a 
buck,  something  might  be  said  in  favor  of  taking  them  by 
the  thousand  with  your  nets  ;  but  as  God  made  them  for 
man's  food,  and  for  no  other  disarnable  reason,  I  call  it 
sinful  and  wasty  to  catch  more  than  can  be  eat" 

"  Your  reasoning  is  mine  ;  for  once,  old  hunter,  we  agree 
in  opinion  ;  and  I  heartily  wish  we  could  make  a  convert 
of  the  sheriff.  A  net  of  half  the  size  of  this  would  supply 
the  whole  village  with  fish  for  a  week  at  one  haul." 

The  Leather-Stocking  did  not  relish  this  alliance  in  sen- 
timent ;  and  he  shook  his  head  doubtingly  as  he  answered  : 

"  No,  no  ;  we  are  not  much  of  one  mind,  Judge,  or  you'd 
never  turn  good  hunting-grounds  into  stumpy  pastures. 
And  you  fish  and  hunt  out  of  rule  ;  but,  to  me,  the  flesh  is 
sweeter  where  the  creater  has  some  chance  for  its  life  ;  for 
that  reason,  I  always  use  a  single  ball,  even  if  it  be  at  a 
bird  or  a  squirrel.  Besides,  it  saves  lead  ;  for,  when  a 
body  knows  how  to  shoot,  one  piece  of  lead  is  enough  for 
all,  except  hard-lived  animals." 

The  sheriff  heard  these  opinions  with  great  indignation  ; 
and,  when  he  completed  the  last  arrangement  for  the  di- 
vision, by  carrying  with  his  own  hands  a  trout  of  a  large 
size,  and  placing  it  on  four  different  piles  in  succession,  as 
his  vacillating  ideas  of  justice  required,  gave  vent  to  his 
spleen. 

"A  very  pretty  confederacy,  indeed!  Judge  Temple, 
the  landlord  and  owner  of  a  township,  with  Nathaniel 
Bumppo,  a  lawless  squatter,  and  professed  deer-killer,  in 
order  to  preserve  the  game  of  the  county  !  But,  'duke, 
when  I  fish  I  fish  ;  so,  away  boys  for  another  haul,  and 
we'll  send  out  wagons  and  carts  in  the  morning  to  bring  in 
our  prizes." 

Marmaduke  appeared  to  understand  that  all  opposition 
to  the  will  of  the  sheriff  would  be  useless,  and  he  strolled 
from  the  fire  to  the  place  where  the  canoe  of  the  hunters 
lay,  whither  the  ladies  and  Oliver  Edwards  had  already  pre- 
ceded him. 

Curiosity  induced  the  females  to  approach  this  spot; 


THE  PIONEERS.  24} 

but  it  was  a  different  motive  that  led  the  youth  thither. 
Elizabeth  examined  the  light  ashen  timbers  and  thin  bark 
covering  of  the  canoe,  in  admiration  of  its  neat  but  simple 
execution,  and  with  wonder  that  any  human  being  could 
be  so  daring  as  to  trust  his  life  in  so  frail  a  vessel.  But 
the  youth  explained  to  her  the  buoyant  properties  of  the 
boat,  and  its  perfect  safety  when  under  proper  manage- 
ment ;  adding,  in  such  glowing  terms,  a  description  of  the 
manner  in  which  the  fish  were  struck  with  the  spear,  that 
she  changed  suddenly,  from  an  apprehension  of  the  dan- 
ger of  the  excursion,  to  a  desire  to  participate  in  its  pleas- 
ures. She  even  ventured  a  proposition  to  that  effect  to 
her  father,  laughing  at  the  same  time  at  her  own  wish,  and 
accusing  herself  of  acting  under  a  woman's  caprice. 

"  Say  not  so,  Bess,"  returned  the  Judge  ;  "  I  would  have 
you  above  the  idle  fears  of  a*silly  girl.  These  canoes  are 
the  safest  kind  of  boats  to  those  who  have  skill  and  steady 
nerves.  I  have  crossed  the  broadest  part  of  the  Oneida  in 
one  much  smaller  than  this." 

"  And  I  the  Ontary,"  interrupted  the  Leather-Stocking  ; 
"  and  that  with  squaws  in  the  canoe,  too.  But  the  Dela- 
ware women  are  used  to  the  paddle,  and  are  good  hands 
in  a  boat  of  this  nater.  If  the  young  lady  would  like  to 
see  an  old  man  strike  a  trout  for  his  breakfast,  she  is  wel- 
come to  a  seat.  John  will  say  the  same,  seeing  that  he 
built  the  canoe,  which  was  only  launched  yesterday  ;  for 
I'm  not  over-curous  at  such  small  work  as  brooms,  and 
basket-making,  and  other  like  Indian  trades." 

Natty  gave  Elizabeth  one  of  his  significant  laughs,  with 
a  kind  nod  of  the  head,  when  he  concluded  his  invitation  ; 
but  Mohegan,  with  the  native  grace  of  an  Indian,  ap- 
proached, and  taking  her  soft  white  hand  into  his  own 
swarthy  and  wrinkled  palm,  said  : 

"  Come,  grand-daughter  of  Miquon,  and  John  will  be 
glad.  Trust  the  Indian  ;  his  head  is  old,  though  his  hand 
is  not  steady.  The  young  Eagle  will  go,  and  see  that  no 
harm  hurts  his  sister." 

"  Mr.  Edwards,"  said  Elizabeth,  blushing  slightly,"  your 
friend  Mohegan  has  given  a  promise  for  you.  Do  you  re- 
deem the  pledge  ?" 

"  With  my  life,  if  necessary,  Miss  Temple,"  cried  the 
youth,  with  fervor.  "  The  sight  is  worth  some  little  ap- 
prehension ;  for  of  real  danger  there  is  none.  I  will  go 
with  you  and  Miss  Grant,  however,  to  save  appearances." 


248  THE  PIONEERS, 

"  With  me ! "  exclaimed  Louisa.  "  No,  not  with  me, 
Mr.  Edwards ;  nor,  surely,  do  you  mean  to  trust  yourself  is 
that  slight  canoe." 

"  But  I  shall ;  for  I  have  no  apprehensions  any  longer,** 
said  Elizabeth,  stepping  into  the  boat,  and  taking  a  seat 
Where  the  Indian  directed.  "  Mr.  Edwards,  you  may  re- 
main, as  three  do  seem  to  be  enough  for  such  an  egg-shell." 

"  It  shall  hold  a  fourth,"  cried  the  young  man,  springing 
to  her  side,  with  a  violence  that  nearly  shook  the  weak 
fabric  of  the  vessel  asunder.  "  Pardon  me,  Miss  Temple, 
that  I  do  not  permit  these  venerable  Charons  to  take  you 
to  the  shades  unattended  by  your  genius." 

"  Is  it  a  good  or  evil  spirit  ?  "asked  Elizabeth. 

"  Good  to  you." 

"  And  mine,"  added  the  maiden,  with  an  air  that  strangely 
blended  pique  with  satisfaction.  But  the  motion  of"  the 
canoe  gave  rise  to  new  ideas,  and  fortunately  afforded  a 
good  excuse  to  the  young  man  to  change  the  discourse. 

"  It  appeared  to  Elizabeth  that  they  glided  over  the 
water  by  magic,  so  easy  and  graceful  was  the  manner  in 
which  Mohegan  guided  his  little  bark.  A  slight  gesture 
with  his  spear  indicated  the  way  in  which  Leather-Stock- 
ing wished  to  go,  and  a  profound  silence  was  preserved  by 
the  whole  party,  as  the  precaution  necessary  to  the  success 
of  their  fishery.  At  that  point  of  the  lake  the  water  shoaled 
regularly,  differing  in  this  particular  altogether  from  those 
parts  where  the  mountains  rose,  nearly  in  perpendicular 
precipices  from  the  beach.  There  the  largest  vessels  could 
have  lain,  with  their  yards  interlocked  with  the  pines  ; 
while  here  a  scanty  growth  of  rushes  lifted  their  tops  above 
the  lake,  gently  curling  the  waters,  as  their  bending  heads 
waved  with  the  passing  breath  of  the  night  air.  .  It  was  at 
the  shallow  points  only  that  the  bass  could  be  found,  or  the 
net  cast  with  success. 

Elizabeth  saw  thousands  of  these  fish  swimming  in  shoals 
along  the  shallow  and  warm  waters  of  the  shore  ;  for  the 
flaring  light  of  their  torch  laid  bare  the  mysteries  of  the 
lake,  as  plainly  as  if  the  limpid  sheet  of  the  Otsego  was  but 
another  atmosphere.  Every  instant  she  expected  to  see 
the  impending  spear  of  Leather-Stocking  darting  into  the 
thronging  hosts  that  were  rushing  beneath  her,  where  it 
would  seem  that  a  blow  could  not  go  amiss  ;  and  where, 
as  her  father  had  already  said,  the  prize  that  would  be  ob- 
tained was  worthy  any  epicure.  But  Natty  had  his  peculiar 


THE  PIONEERS.  24^ 

nabits,  and,  it  would  seem,  his  peculiar  tastes  also.  His  tall 
stature,  and  his  erect  posture,  enabled  him  to  see  much 
farther  than  those  who  were  seated  in  the  bottom  of  the 
canoe  ;  and  he  turned  his  head  warily  in  every  direction,  fre- 
quently bending  his  body  forward,  and  straining  his  vision, 
as  if  desirous  of  penetrating  the  water  that  surrounded  their 
boundary  of  light.  At  length  his  anxious  scrutiny  was  re- 
warded with  success,  and,  waving  his  spear  from  the  shore, 
he  said  in  a  cautious  tone  : 

"  Send  her  outside  the  bass,  John  ;  I  see  a  laker  there, 
that  has  run  out  of  the  school.  It's  seldom  one  finds  such 
a  creater  in  shallow  water,  where  a  spear  can  touch  it." 

Mohegan  gave  a  wave  of  assent  with  his  hand,  and  in 
the  next  instant  the  canoe  was  without  the  "  run  of  the 
bass,"  and  in  water  nearly  twenty  feet  in  depth.  A  few 
additional  knots  were  laid  on  the  grating,  and  the  light 
penetrated  to  the  bottom.  Elizabeth  then  saw  a  fish  of 
unusual  size  floating  above  small  pieces  of  logs  and  sticks. 
The  animal  was  only  distinguishable,  at  that  distance,  by  a 
slight  but  almost  imperceptible  motion  of  its  fins  and  tail. 
The  curiosity  excited  by  this  unusual  exposure  of  the 
secrets  of  the  lake  seemed  to  be  mutual  between  the  heir- 
ess of  the  land  and  the  lord  of  these  waters,  for  the  "  sal- 
mon-trout" soon  announced  his  interest  by  raising  his 
head  and  body  for  a  few  degrees  above  a  horizontal  line, 
and  then  dropping  them  again  into  a  horizontal  position. 

"  Whist !  whist !  "  said  Natty,  in  a  low  voice,  on  hearing 
a  slight  sound  made  by  Elizabeth  in  bending  over  the  side 
of  the  canoe  in  curiosity  ;  "'tis  a  skeary  animal,  and  it's  a 
far  stroke  for  a  spear.  My  handle  is  but  fourteen  foot, 
and  the  creater  lies  a  good  eighteen  from  the  top  of  the 
water  ;  but  I'll  try  him,  for  he's  a  ten-pounder." 

While  speaking,  the  Leather-Stocking  was  poising  and 
directing  his  weapon.  Elizabeth  saw  the  bright,  polished 
tines,  as  they  slowly  and  silently  entered  the  water,  where 
the  refraction  pointed  them  many  degrees  from  the  true 
direction  of  the  fish  ;  and  she  thought  that  the  intended 
victim  saw  them  also,  as  he  seemed  to  increase  the  play  of 
his  tail  and  fins,  though  without  moving  his  station.  At 
the  next  instant  the  tall  body  of  Natty  bent  to  the  water's 
edge,  and  the  handle  of  his  spear  disappeared  in  the  lake. 
The  long,  dark  streak  of  the  gliding  weapon,  and  the  little 
bubbling  vortex  which  followed  its  rapid  flight,  were  easily 
to  be  seen  ;  but  it  was  not  until  the  handle  shot  again  into 


250  THE  PIONEERS. 

the  air  by  its  own  reaction,  and  its  master  catching  it  in 
his  hand,  threw  its  tines  uppermost,  that  Elizabeth  was 
acquainted  with  the  success  of  the  blow.  A  fish  of  great 
size  was  transfixed  by  the  barbed  steel,  and  was  very  soon 
shaken  from  its  impaled  situation  into  the  bottom  of  the 
canoe. 

"  That  will  do,  John,"  said  Natty,  raising  his  prize  by 
one  of  his  fingers,  and  exhibiting  it  before  the  torch  ;  "  I 
shall  not  strike  another  blow  to-night." 

The  Indian  again  waved  his  hand,  and  replied  with  the 
simple  and  energetic  monosyllable  of  : 

"  Good." 

Elizabeth  was  awakened  from  the  trance  created  by  this 
scene,  and  by  gazing  in  that  unusual  manner  at  the  bottom 
of  the  lake,  by  the  hoarse  sounds  of  Benjamin's  voice,  and 
the  dashing  of  oars,  as  the  heavier  boat  of  the  seine-drawers 
approached  the  spot  where  the  canoe  lay,  dragging  after 
it  the  folds  of  the  net. 

"  Haul  off,  haul  off,  Master  Bumppo,"  cried  Benjamin  : 
"your  top-light  frightens  the  fish,  who  see  the  net  and 
sheer  oft  soundings.  A  fish  knows  as  much  as  a  horse,  or, 
for  that  matter,  more,  seeing  that  it's  brought  up  on  the 
water.  Haul  off.  Master  Bumppo,  haul  off,  I  say,  and  give 
a  wide  berth  to  the  seine." 

Mohegan  guided  their  little  canoe  to  a  point  where  the 
movements  of  the  fishermen  could  be  observed,  without 
interruption  to  the  business,  and  then  suffered  it  to  lie 
quietly  on  the  water,  looking  like  an  imaginary  vessel 
floating  in  air.  There  appeared  to  be  much  ill-humor 
among  the  party  in  the  batteau,  for  the  directions  of 
Benjamin  were  not  only  frequent,  but  issued  in  a  voice 
that  partook  largely  of  dissatisfaction. 

"Pull  larboard  oar,  will  ye,  Master  Kirby  ? "  cried  the 
old  seaman  ;  "  pull  larboard  best.  It  would  puzzle  the 
oldest  admiral  in  the  British  fleet  to  cast  this  here  net  fair, 
with  a  wake  like  a  corkscrew.  Pull  starboad,  boy,  pull 
starboard  oar,  with  a  will." 

"  Harkee,  Mister  Pump,"  said  Kirby,  ceasing  to  row,  and 
speaking  with  some  spirit ;  "  I'm  a  man  that  likes  civil 
language  and  decent  treatment,  such  as  is  right  'twixt 
man  and  man.  If  you  want  us  to  go  hoy,  say  so,  and  hoy 
I'll  go,  for  the  benefit  of  the  company  ;  but  I'm  not  used 
to  being  ordered  about  like  dumb  cattle." 

"  Who's  dumb  cattle  ? "  echoed  Benjamin,  fiercely,  tun* 


THE  PIONEERS.  251 

ing  his  forbidding  face  to  the  glare  of  light  from  the  canoe, 
and  exhibiting  every  feature  teeming  with  the  expression 
of  disgust.  "If  you  want  to  come  aft  and  cun  the  boat 
round,  come,  and  be  damned,  and  pretty  steerage  you'll 
make  of  it.  There's  but  another  heave  of  the  net  in  the 
stern-sheets,  and  we're  clear  of  the  thing.  Give  way,  will 
ye  ?  and  shoot  her  ahead  for  a  fathom  or  two.  and  if  you 
catch  me  afloat  again  with  such  a  horse-marine  as  your- 
self, why,  rate  me  a  ship's  jackass,  that's  all." 

Probably  encouraged  by  the  prospect  of  a  speedy  ter- 
mination to  his  labor,  the  wood-chopper  resumed  his  oar, 
and,  under  strong  excitement,  gave  a  stroke,  that  not  only 
cleared  the  boat  of  the  net  but  of  the  steward,  at  the  same 
instant.  Benjamin  had  stood  on  the  little  platform  that 
held  the  seine,  in  the  stern  of  the  boat,  and  the  violent 
whirl  occasioned  by  the  vigor  of  the  wood-chopper's  arm 
completely  destroyed  his  balance.  The  position  of  the 
lights  rendered  objects  in  the  batteau  distinguishable,  both 
from  the  canoe  and  the  shore  ;  and  the  heavy  fall  on  the 
water  drew  all  eyes  to  the  steward,  as  he  lay  struggling, 
for  a  moment,  in  sight. 

A  loud  burst  of  merriment,  to  which  the  lungs  of  Kirby 
contributed  no  small  part,  broke  out  like  a  chorus  of 
laughter,  and  ran  along  the  eastern  mountain,  in  echoes, 
until  it  died  away  in  distant,  mocking  mirth,  among  the 
rocks  and  woods.  The  body  of  the  steward  was  seen 
slowly  to  disappear,  as  was  expected ;  but  when  the  light 
waves,  which  had  been  raised  by  his  fall,  began  to  sink  in 
calmness,  and  the  water  finally  closed  over  his  head,  un- 
broken and  still,  a  very  different  feeling  pervaded  the  spec- 
tators. 

"  How  fare  you,  Benjamin  ?"  shouted  Richard  from  the 
shore. 

"  The  dumb  devil  can't  swim  a  stroke  ! "  exclaimed  Kirby, 
rising,  and  beginning  to  throw  aside  his  clothes. 

"  Paddle  up,  Mohegan,"  cried  young  Edwards,  "the  light 
will  show  us  where  he  lies,  and  I  will  dive  for  the  body." 

"  Oh  !  save  him  !  for  God's  sake,  save  him  !  "  exclaimed 
Elizabeth,  bowing  her  head  on  the  side  of  the  canoe  in 
horror. 

A  powerful  and  dexterous  sweep  of  Mohegan's  paddle 
sent  the  canoe  directly  over  the  spot  \vhere  the  steward 
had  fallen,  and  a  loud  shout  from  the  Leather-Stocking 
announced  that  he  saw  the  body. 


252  THE  PIONEERS. 

"Steady  the  boat  while  I  dive,"  again  cried  Edwards. 

"  Gently,  lad,  gently,"  said  Natty  ;  "  I'll  spear  the  create? 
up  in  half  the  time,  and  no  risk  to  anybody." 

The  form  of  Benjamin  was  lying  about  half  way  to  the 
bottom,  grasping  with  both  hands  some  broken  rushes. 
The  blood  of  Elizabeth  curdled  to  her  heart,  as  she  saw 
the  figure  of  a  fellow-creature  thus  extended  under  an  im- 
mense sheet  of  water,  apparently  in  motion,  by  the  undu- 
lations of  the  dying  waves,  with  its  face  and  hands,  viewed 
by  that  light,  and  through  the  medium  of  the  fluid,  already 
colored  with  hues  like  death. 

At  the  same  instant,  she  saw  the  shining  tines  of  Natty's 
spear  approaching  the  head  of  the  sufferer,  and  entwining 
themselves,  rapidly  and  dexterously,  in  the  hairs  of  his  cue 
and  the  cape  of  his  coat.  The  body  was  now  raised  slowly, 
looking  ghastly  and  grim,  as  its  features  turned  upward  to 
the  light,  and  approached  the  surface.  The  arrival  of  the 
nostrils  of  Benjamin  into  their  own  atmosphere  was  an- 
nounced by  a  breathing  that  would  have  done  credit  to  a 
porpoise.  For  a  moment,  Natty  held  the  steward  sus- 
pended, with  his  head  just  above  the  water,  while  his  eyes 
slowly  opened,  and  stared  about  him,  as  if  he  thought  that 
he  had  reached  a  new  and  unexplored  country. 

As  all  the  parties  acted  and  spoke  together,  much  less 
time  was  consumed  in  the  occurrence  of  these  events,  than 
in  their  narration.  To  bring  the  batteau  to  the  end  of  the 
spear,  and  to  raise  the  form  of  Benjamin  into  the  boat,  and 
for  the  whole  party  to  regain  the  shore,  required  but  a 
minute.  Kirby,  aided  by  Richard,  whose  anxiety  induced 
him  to  run  into  the  water  to  meet  his  favorite  assistant, 
carried  the  motionless  steward  up  the  bank,  and  seated  him 
before  the  fire,  while  the  sheriff,  proceeded  to  order  the 
most  approved  measures  then  in  use,  for  the  resuscitation 
of  the  drowned. 

"Run,  Billy,"  he  cried,  "  to  the  village,  and  bring  up 
the  rum-hogshead  that  lies  before  the  door,  in  which  I  am 
making  vinegar,  and  be  quick,  boy,  don't  stay  to  empty 
the  vinegar,  and  stop  at  Mr.  Le  Quoi's,  and  buy  a  paper 
of  tobacco  and  half-a-dozen  pipes  ;  and  ask  Remarkable 
for  some  salt,  and  one  of  her  flannel  petticoats  ;  and  ask 
Dr.  Todd  to  send  his  lancet,  and  to  come  himself  ;  -and—- 
ha !  'duke,  what  are  you  about  ?  would  you  strangle  a  man 
who  is  full  of  water,  by  giving  him  rum  ?  Help  me  to  open 
his  hand,  that  I  may  pat  it." 


THE  PIONEERS.  2$j 

All  this  time  Benjamin  sat,  with  his  muscles  fixed,  his 
mouth  shut,  and  his  hands  clinching  the  rushes,  which  he 
had  seized  in  the  confusion  of  the  moment,  and  which,  as 
he  held  fast,  like  a  true  seaman,  had  been  the  means  of 
preventing  his  body  from  rising  again  to  the  surface.  His 
eyes,  however,  were  open,  and  stared  wildly  on  the  group 
about  the  fire,  while  his  lungs  were  playing  like  a  black 
smith's  bellows,  as  if  to  compensate  themselves  for  the 
minute  of  inaction  to  which  they  had  been  subjected.  As 
he  kept  his  lips  compressed,  with  a  most  inveterate  deter- 
mination, the  air  was  compelled  to  pass  through  his  nos- 
trils, and  he  rather  snorted  than  breathed,  and  in  such  a 
manner,  that  nothing  but  the  excessive  agitation  of  the 
sheriff  could  at  all  justify  his  precipitous  orders. 

The  bottle,  applied  to  the  steward's  lips  by  Marmaduke, 
acted  like  a  charm.  His  mouth  opened  instinctively;  his 
hands  dropped  the  rushes,  and  seized  the  glass  ;  his  eyes 
raised  from  their  horizontal  stare  to  the  heavens ;  and  the 
whole  man  was  lost,  for  a  moment,  in  a  new  sensation. 
Unhappily  for  the  propensity  of  the  steward,  breath  was 
as  necessary  after  one  of  these  draughts  as  after  his  sub- 
mersion, and  the  time  at  length  arrived  when  he  was  com- 
pelled to  let  go  the  bottle. 

"Why,  Benjamin!"  roared  the  sheriff;  "you  amaze 
me  !  for  a  man  of  your  experience  in  drownings  to  act  so 
foolishly  !  just  now,  you  were  half  full  of  water,  and  now 
you  are " 

"Full  of  grog,"  interrupted  the  steward,  his  features 
settling  down,  wiih  amazing  flexibility,  into  their  natural 
economy.  "  But,  d'ye  see,  squire,  I  kept  my  hatches  close, 
and  it's  but  little  water  that  ever  gets  into  my  scuttle-butt. 
Harkee,  Master  Kirby  !  I've  followed  the  salt-water  for 
the  better  part  of  a  man's  life,  and  have  seen  some  navi- 
gation on  the  fresh  ;  but  this  here  matter  I  will  say  in 
your  favor,  and  that  is,  that  you're  the  awk'ardest  green'un 
that  ever  straddled  a  boat's  thwart.  Them  that  likes  you 
for  a  shipmate,  may  sail  with  you  and  no  thanks  ;  but 
dam'me  if  I  even  walk  on  the  lake  shore  in  your  company. 
For  why  ?  you'd  as  lief  drown  a  man  as  one  of  them  there 
fish  ;  not  to  throw  a  Christian  creature  so  much  as  a  rope's 
end  when  he  was  adrift,  and  no  life-buoy  in  sight !  Nat- 
ty Bumppo.  give  us  your  fist.  There's  them  that  says 
you're  an  Indian,  and  a  scalper,  but  you've  served  me  a 
good  turn,  and  you  may  set  me  down  for  a  friend ;  tho'f  it 


254  THE  PIONEERS. 

would  have  been  more  shipshape  like  to  lower  the  bight  of 
a  rope,  or  running  bowline  below  me,  than  to  seize  an  old 
seaman  by  his  head-lanyard ;  but  I  suppose  you  are  used 
to  taking  men  by  the  hair,  and  seeing  you  did  me  good  in- 
stead of  harm  thereby,  why,  it's  the  same  thing,  d'ye  see  ? " 

Marmaduke  prevented  any  reply,  and  assuming  the  di- 
Tection  of  matters  with  a  dignity  and  discretion  that  at 
once  silenced  all  opposition  from  his  cousin,  Benjamin  was 
despatched  to  the  village  by  land,  and  the  net  was  hauled 
to  shore  in  such  a  manner  that  the  fish  for  once  escaped 
its  meshes  with  impunity. 

The  division  of  the  spoils  was  made  in  the  ordinary 
manner,  by  placing  one  of  the  party  with  his  back  to  the 
game,  who  named  the  owner  of  each  pile.  Bill  Kirby 
stretched  his  large  frame  on  the  grass  by  the  side  of  the 
fire,  as  sentinel  until  morning,  over  net  and  fish  ;  and  the 
remainder  of  the  party  embarked  in  the  batteau,  to  return 
to  the  village. 

The  wood-chopper  was  seen  broiling  his  supper  on  the 
coals  as  they  lost  sight  of  the  fire,  and,  when  the  boat 
approached  the  shore,  the  torch  of  Mohegan's  canoe  was 
shining  again  under  the  gloom  of  the  eastern  mountain. 
Its  motion  ceased  suddenly  ;  a  scattering  of  brands  was 
in  the  air,  and  then  all  remained  dark  as  the  conjunction 
of  night,  forest,  and  mountain  could  render  the  scene. 

The  thoughts  of  Elizabeth  wandered  from  the  youth, 
who  was  holding  a  canopy  of  shawls  over  herself  and 
Louisa,  to  the  hunter  and  the  Indian  warrior  ;  and  she  felt 
an  awakening  curiosity  to  visit  a  hut  where  men  of  such 
different  habits  and  temperament  were  drawn  together  as 
by  common  impulse. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

"Cease  all  this  parlance  about  hills  and  dales  : 
None  listen  to  thy  scenes  of  boyish  frolic, 
Fond  dotard  !  with  such  tickled  ears  as  thou  dost : 
Come  !  to  thy  tale." — Duo. 

MR.  JONES  arose  on  the  following  morning  with  the  sun, 
and,  ordering  his  own  and  Marmaduke's  steeds  to  be  sad- 
dled, he  proceeded,  with  a  countenance  big  with  some 
business  of  unusual  moment,  to  the  apartment  of  the 


THE  PIONEERS.  255 

Judge.  The  door  was  unfastened,  and  Richard  entered, 
with  the  freedom  that  characterized  not  only  the  inter- 
course between  the  cousins,  but  the  ordinary  manners  of 
the  sheriff.. 

"  Well,  'ohke,  to  horse,"  he  cried,  "  and  I  will  explain, 
to  you  my  meaning  in  the  allusions  I  made  last  night. 
David  says,  in  the  Psalms — no,  it  was  Solomon,  but  it  was 
all  in  the  family — Solomon  said  there  was  a  time  for  all 
things  ;  and,  in  my  humble  opinion,  a  fishing-party  is  not 
the  moment  for  discussing  important  subjects.  Ha  !  why, 
what  the  devil  ails  you,  Marmaduke  ?  an't  you  well  ?  let 
me  feel  your  pulse  ;  my  grandfather,  you  know " 

"  Quite  well  in  the  body,  Richard,"  interrupted  the 
Judge,  repulsing  his  cousin,  who  was  about  to  assume  the 
functions  that  rightly  belonged  to  Dr.  Todd  ;  "  but  ill  at 
heart.  I  received  letters  by  the  post  last  night,  after  we 
returned  from  the  point,  and  this  among  the  number." 

The  sheriff  took  the  letter,  but  without  turning  his- eyes 
on  the  writing,  for  he  was  examining  the  appearance  of 
the  other  with  astonishment.  From  the  face  of  his  cousin 
the  gaze  of  Richard  wandered  to  the  table,  which  was  cov- 
ered with  letters,  packets,  and  newspapers  ;  then  to  the 
apartment  and  all  it  contained.  On  the  bed  there  was 
the  impression  that  had  been  made  by  a  human  form,  but 
the  coverings  were  unmoved,  and  everything  indicated 
that  the  occupant  of  the  room  had  passed  a  sleepless  night. 
The  candles  had  burned  to  the  sockets,  and  had  evidently 
extinguished  themselves  in  their  own  fragments.  Marma- 
duke had  drawn  his  curtains,  and  opened  both  the  shut- 
ters and  the  sashes,  to  admit  the  balmy  air  of  a  spring 
morning  ;  but  his  pale  cheek,  his  quivering  lip,  and  his 
sunken  eye,  presented  altogether  so  very  different  an  ap- 
pearance from  the  usual  calm,  manly,  and  cheerful  aspect 
of  the  Judge,  that  the  sheriff  grew  each  moment  more  and 
more  bewildered  with  astonishment.  At  length  Richard 
found  time  to  cast  his  eyes  on  the  direction  of  the  letter, 
which  he  still  held  unopened,  crumpling  it  in  his  hand. 

"What !  a  ship-letter  !  "  he  exclaimed  ;  "and  from  Eng- 
land !  ha  !  'duke,  there  must  be  news  of  importance  in- 
deed ! " 

"  Read  it,"  said  Marmaduke,  pacing  the  floor  in  excessive 
agitation. 

Richard,  who  commonly  thought  aloud,  was  unable  to 
read  a  letter  without  suffering  part  of  its  contents  to  escape 


256  THE  PIONEERS. 

him  in  audible  sounds.  So  much  of  the  epistle  as  was 
divulged  in  that  manner,  we  shall  lay  before  the  reader, 
accompanied  by  the  passing  remarks  of  the  sheriff  : 

"  'London,  February  12,  1793.'  What  a  devil  of  a  pas. 
sage  she  had  !  but  the  wind  has  been  northwest  for  six 
weeks,  until  within  the  last  fortnight. 

"  '  Sir,  your  favors  of  August  zoth,  September  23d,  and  of 
December  ist,  were  received  in  due  season,  and  the  first 
answered  by  return  of  packet.  Since  the  receipt  of  the 
last,  I '  " — here  a  long  passage  was  rendered  indistinct  by 
a  kind  of  humming  noise  by  the  sheriff — "  '  I  grieve  to  say 
that,' — hum,  hum,  bad  enough  to  be  sure — '  but  trust  that 
a  merciful  Providence  has  seen  fit ' — hum,  hum,  hum  ; 
seems  to  be  a  good  pious  sort  of  a  man,  'duke  ;  belongs  to 
the  established  church,  I  dare  say  ;  hum,  hum — '  vessel 
sailed  from  Falmouth  on  or  about  the  ist  September  of 
last  year,  and' — hum,  hum,  hum.  'If  anything  should 
transpire  on  this  afflicting  subject  shall  not  fail ' — hum, 
hum  ;  really  a  good-hearted  man,  for  a  lawyer — '  but  can 
communicate  nothing  further  at  present ' — hum,  hum. 
*  The  national  convention  ' — hum,  hum — '  unfortunate 
Louis  ' — hum,  hum — *  example  of  your  Washington  ' — a 
very  sensible  man,  I  declare,  and  none  of  your  crazy  demo- 
crats. Hum,  hum — 'our  gallant  navy' — hum,  hum— 
'  under  our  most  excellent  monarch ' — ay,  a  good  man 
enough,  that  King  George,  but  -bad  advisers  ;  hum,  hum 
• — '  I  beg  to  conclude  with  assurances  of  my  perfect  re- 
spect' — hum,  hum — 'ANDREW  HOLT.' — Andrew  Holt,  a 
very  sensible,  feeling  man,  this  Mr.  Andrew  Holt — but  the 
writer  of  evil  tidings.  What  will  you  do  next,  Cousin  Mar- 
maduke  ? " 

"  What  can  I  do,  Richard,  but  trust  to  time,  and  the  will 
of  Heaven  ?  Here  is  another  letter  from  Connecticut, 
but  it  only  repeats  the  substance  of  the  last.  There  is  but 
one  consoling  reflection  to  be  gathered  from  the  English 
news,  which  is,  that  my  last  letter  was  received  by  him 
before  the  ship  sailed." 

"  This  is  bad  enough,  indeed  !  'duke,  bad  enough,  in* 
deed !  and  away  go  all  my  plans,  of  putting  wings  to  the 
house,  to  the  devil.  I  had  made  arrangements  for  a  ride 
to  introduce  you  to  something  of  a  very  important  nature. 
You  know  how  much  you  think  of  mines — 

"  Talk  not  of  mines,"  interrupted  the  Judge  ;  "  there  is 
a  sacred  duty  to  be  performed,  and  that  without  delay.  J 


THE  PIONEERS.  257 

must  devote  this  day  to  writing  ;  and  thou  must  be  my  as* 
sistant,  Richard ;  it  will  not  do  to  employ  Oliver  in  a  mat- 
ter of  such  secrecy  and  interest." 

"No,  no,  'duke,"  cried  the  sheriff,  squeezing  his  hand; 
"  I  am  your  man,  just  now  ;  we  are  sisters'  children,  and 
blood,  after  all,  is  the  best  cement  to  make  friendship 
stick  together.  Well,  well,  there  is  no  hurry  about  the 
silver  mine,  just  now  ;  another  time  will  do  as  well.  We 
shall  want  Dirky  Van,  I  suppose  ?" 

Marmaduke  assented  to  this  indirect  question,  and  the 
sheriff  relinquished  all  his  intentions  on  the  subject  of  the 
ride,  and,  repairing  to  the  breakfast  parlor,  he  despatched 
a  messenger  to  require  the  immediate  presence  of  Dirck 
Van  der  School. 

The  village  of  Templeton  at  that  time  supported  but 
twTo  lawyers,  one  of  whom  was  introduced  to  our  readers 
in  the  bar-room  of  the  "  Bold  Dragoon,"  and  the  other  was 
the  gentleman  of  whom  Richard  spoke  by  the  friendly  yet 
familiar  appellation  of  Dirck,  or  Dirky  Van.  Great  good- 
nature, a  very  tolerable  share  of  skill  in  his  profession, 
and,  considering  the  circumstances,  no  contemptible  de- 
gree of  honesty,  were  the  principal  ingredients  in  the  char- 
acter of  this  man,  who  was  known  to  the  settlers  as  Squire 
Van  der  School,  and  sometimes  by  the  flattering  though 
anomalous  title  of  the  "  Dutch  "  or  "  honest  lawyer."  We 
would  not  wish  to  mislead  our  readers  in  their  conceptions 
of  any  of  our  characters,  and  we  therefore  feel  it  necessary 
to  add  that  the  adjective,  in  the  preceding  agnomen  of 
Mr.  Van  der  School,  was  used  in  direct  reference  to  its 
substantive.  Our  orthodox  friends  need  not  be  told  that 
all  the  merit  in  this  world  is  comparative  ;  and,  once  for 
all,  we  desire  to  say  that,  where  anything  which  involves 
qualities  or  character  is  asserted,  we  must  be  understood 
to  mean,  "under  the  circumstances." 

During  the  remainder  of  the  day,  the  Judge  was  closeted 
with  his  cousin  and  his  lawyer  ;  and  no  one  else  was  ad- 
mitted to  his  apartment,  excepting  his  daughter.  The 
deep  distress  that  so  evidently  affected  Marmaduke  was  in 
some  measure  communicated  to  Elizabeth  also  ;  for  a  look 
of  dejection  shaded  her  intelligent  features,  and  the  buoy- 
ancy of  her  animated  spirits  was  sensibly  softened.  Once 
on  that  day,  young  Edwards,  who  was  a  wondering  and 
observant  spectator  of  the  sudden  alteration  produced  in 
the  heads  of  the  family,  detected  a  tear  stealing  over  the 

17 


258  THE  PIONEERS. 

cheek  of  Elizabeth,  and  suffusing  her  bright  eyes  with  a 
softness  that  did  not  always  belong  to  their  expression. 

"  Have  any  evil  tidings  been  received,  Miss  Temple  ?" 
he  inquired,  with  an  interest  and  voice  that  caused  Louisa 
Grant  to  raise  her  head  from  her  needlework,  with  a  quick- 
ness at  which  she  instantly  blushed  herself.  "  I  would 
offer  my  services  to  your  father,  if,  as  I  suspect,  he  needs 
an  agent  in  some  distant  place,  and  I  thought  it  would 
give  you  relief." 

"  We  have  certainly  heard  bad  news,"  returned  Elizabeth, 
"  and  it  may  be  necessary  that  my  father  should  leave  home 
lor  a  short  period  ;  unless  I  can  persuade  him  to  trust  my 
cousin  Richard  with  the  business,  whose  absence  from  the 
country,  just  at  this  time,  too,  might  be  inexpedient." 

The  youth  paused  a  moment,  and  the  blood  gathered 
slowly  to  his  temples  as  he  continued  : 

"  If  it  be  of  a  nature  that  I  could  execute ' 

"  It  is  such  as  can  only  be  confided  to  one  we  know — one 
of  ourselves." 

"  Surely,  you  know  me,  Miss  Temple  f "  he  added,  with 
a  warmth  that  he  seldom  exhibited,  but  which  did  some- 
times escape  him  in  the  moments  of  their  frank  communi- 
cations. "  Have  I  lived  five  months  under  your  roof  to 
be  a  stranger  ?  " 

Elizabeth  was  engaged  with  her  needle  also,  and  she 
bent  her  head  to  one  side,  affecting  to  arrange  her  muslin  ; 
but  her  hand  shook,  her  color  heightened,  and  her  eyes 
lost  their  moisture  in  an  expression  of  ungovernable  in- 
terest, as  she  said  : 

"  How  much  do  we  know  of  you,  Mr.  Edwards  ?  " 

"  How  much  !  "  echoed  the  youth,  gazing  from  the 
speaker  to  the  mild  countenance  of  Louisa,  that  was  also 
illuminated  with  curiosity  ;  "  how  much  !  have  I  been  so 
long  an  inmate  with  you  and  not  known  ?" 

The  head  of  Elizabeth  turned  slowly  from  its  affected 
position,  and  the  look  of  confusion  that  had  blended  so 
strongly  with  an  expression  of  interest  changed  to  a  smile. 

"  We  know  you,  sir,  indeed  ;  you  are  called  Mr.  Oliver 
Edwards.  I  understand  that  you  have  informed  my  friend 
Miss  Grant  that  you  are  a  native " 

"  Elizabeth  !  "  exclaimed  Louisa,  blushing  to  the  eyes, 
and  trembling  like  an  aspen  ;  "  you  misunderstood  me, 
dear  Miss  Temple  ;  I — I — it  was  only  a  conjecture.  Be- 
sides, if  Mr.  Edwards  is  related  to  the  natives,  why  should 


THE  PIONEERS.  259 

we  reproach  him  ?     In  what  are  we  better  ?  at  least  I,  who 
am  the  child  of  a  poor  and  unsettled  clergyman  ? " 

Elizabeth  shook  her  head  doubtingly,  and  even  laughed, 
but  made  no  reply,  until,  observing  the  melancholy  which 
pervaded  the  countenance  of  her  companion,  who  was  think- 
ing of  the  poverty  and  labors  of  her  father,  she  continued  : 

"  Nay,  Louisa,  humility  carries  you  too  far.  The  daugh- 
ter of  a  minister  of  the  church  can  have  no  superiors. 
Neither  I  nor  Mr.  Edwards  is  quite  your  equal,  unless,"  she 
added,  again  smiling,  "  he  is  in  secret  a  king." 

"  A  faithful  servant  of  the  King  of  kings,  Miss  Temple, 
is  inferior  to  none  on  earth,"  said  Louisa  ;  "  but  his  honors 
are  his  own  ;  I  am  only  the  child  of  a  poor  and  friendless 
man,  and  can  claim  no  other  distinction.  Why,  then, 
should  I  feel  myself  elevated  above  Mr.  Edwards,  because 
— because — perhaps  he  is  only  very,  very  distantly  re- 
lated to  John  Mohegan  ?  " 

Glances  of  a  very  comprehensive  meaning  were  ex- 
changed between  the  heiress  and  the  young  man,  as  Louisa 
betrayed,  while  vindicating  his  lineage,  the  reluctance  with 
which  she  admitted  his  alliance  with  the  old  warrior ;  but 
not  even  a  smile  at  the  simplicity  of  their  companion  was 
indulged  by  either. 

"  On  reflection,  I  must  acknowledge  that  my  situation 
here  is  somewhat  equivocal,"  said  Edwards,  "though  I 
may  be  said  to  have  purchased  it  with  my  blood." 

"  The  blood,  too,  of  one  of  the  native  lords  of  the  soil !  " 
cried  Elizabeth,  who  evidently  put  little  faith  in  his  abo- 
riginal descent. 

"  Do  I  bear  the  marks  of  my  lineage  so  very  plainly  im- 
pressed on  my  appearance  ?  I  am  dark,  but  not  very  red 
— not  more  so  than  common  ?" 

"  Rather  more  so,  just  now." 

"I  am  sure,  Miss  Temple,"  cried  Louisa,  "you  cannot 
have  taken  much  notice  of  Mr.  Edwards.  His  eyes  are  not 
so  black  as  Mohegan's,  or  even  your  own,  nor  is  his  hair  !  " 

"  Very  possibly,  then,  I  can  lay  claim  to  the  same  de 
scent.  It  would  be  a  great  relief  to  my  mind  to  think  so, 
for  I  own  that  I  grieve  when  I  see  old  Mohegan  walking 
about  these  lands  like  the  ghost  of  one  of  their  ancient 
possessors,  and  feel  how  small  is  my  own  right  to  possess 
them." 

"Do  you?"  cried  the  youth,  with  a  vehemence  that 
startled  the  ladies, 


260  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  I  do,  indeed,"  returned  Elizabeth,  after  suffering  a  mo- 
ment to  pass  in  surprise  ;  "  but  what  can  I  do — what  can 
my  father  do  ?  Should  we  offer  the  old  man  a  home  and 
a  maintenance,  his  habits  would  compel  him  to  refuse  us. 
Neither  were  we  so  silly  as  to  wish  such  a  thing,  could  we 
convert  these  clearings  and  farms  again  into  hunting- 
grounds,  as  the  Leather-Stocking  would  wish  to  see  them." 

"You  speak  the  truth,  Miss  Temple,"  said  Edwards. 
"  What  can  you  do  indeed  ?  But  there  is  one  thing  that  I 
am  certain  you  can  and  will  do,  when  you  become  the  mis- 
tress of  these  beautiful  valleys — use  your  wealth  with  in- 
dulgence to  the  poor,  and  charity  to  the  needy  ;  indeed, 
you  can  do  no  more." 

"  And  that  will  be  doing  a  good  deal,"  said  Louisa,  smil- 
ing in  her  turn.  "But  there  will,  doubtless,  be  one  to 
take  the  direction  of  such  things  from  her  hands." 

*'  I  am  not  about  to  disclaim  matrimony,  like  a  silly  girl, 
who  dreams  of  nothing  else  from  morn  till  night  ;  but  I  am 
a  nun  here,  without  the  vow  of  celibacy.  Where  shall  I 
find  a  husband  in  these  forests  ? " 

"There  is  none,  Miss  Temple,"  said  Edwards,  quickly; 
"  there  is  none  who  has  a  right  to  aspire  to  you,  and  I 
know  that  you  wrill  wait  to  be  sought  by  your  equal  ;  or 
die,  as  you  live,  loved,  respected,  and  admired  by  all  who 
know  you." 

The  young  man  seemed  to  think  that  he  had  said  all 
that  was  required  by  gallantry,  for  he  arose,  and,  taking 
his  hat,  hurried  from  the  apartment.  Perhaps  Louisa 
thought  that  he  had  said  more  than  was  necessary,  for  she 
sighed,  with  an  aspiration  so  low  that  it  was  scarcely  aud- 
ible to  herself,  and  bent  her  head  over  her  work  again. 
And  it  is  possible  that  Miss  Temple  wished  to  hear  more, 
for  her  eyes  continued  fixed  for  a  minute  on  the  door 
through  which  the  young  man  had  passed,  then  glanced 
quickly  toward  her  companion,  when  the  long  silence  that 
succeeded  manifested  how  much  zest  may  be  given  to  the 
conversation  of  two  maidens  under  eighteen,  by  the  pres- 
ence of  a  youth  of  three-and-twenty. 

The  first  person  encountered  by  Mr.  Edwards,  as  he 
rather  rushed  than  walked  from  the  house,  was  the  little 
square-built  lawyer,  with  a  large  bundle  of  papers  under 
his  arm,  a  pair  of  green  spectacles  on  his  nose,  with  glasses 
at  the  sides,  as  if  to  multiply  his  power  of  detecting  frauds 
by  additional  organs  of  vision. 


THE  PIONEERS.  261 

Mr.  Van  der  School  was  a  well-edncated  man,  but  of^ 
slow  comprehension,  who  had  imbibed  a  wariness  in  his 
speeches  and  actions,  from  having  suffered  by  his  colli- 
sions with  his  more  mercurial  and  apt  brethren  who  had 
laid  the  foundations  of  their  practice  in  the  Eastern  courts, 
and  who  had  sucked  in  shrewdness  with  their  mother's 
milk.  The  caution  of  this  gentleman  was  exhibited  in 
his  actions,  by  the  utmost  method  and  punctuality,  tinct- 
ured with  a  good  deal  of  timidity  ;  and  in  his  speeches,  by 
a  parenthetical  style,  that  frequently  left  to  his  auditors  a 
long  search  after  his  meaning. 

"  A  good-morning  to  you,  Mr.  Van  der  School,"  said 
Edwards  ;  "  it  seems  to  be  a  busy  day  with  us  at  the  man- 
sion-house." 

"  Good-morning,  Mr.  Edwards  (if  that  is  your  name  (for, 
being  a  stranger,  we  have  no  other  evidence  of  the  fact 
than  your  own  testimony),  as  I  understand  you  have  given 
it  to  Judge  Temple),  good-morning,  sir.  It  is,  apparently 
a  busy  day  (but  a  man  of  your  discretion  need  not  be  told 
(having,  doubtless,  discovered  it  of  your  own  accord),  that 
appearances  are  often  deceitful)  up  at  the  mansion-house." 

"  Have  you  papers  of  consequence  that  will  require 
copying  ?  can  I  be  of  assistance  in  any  way  ? " 

"  There  are  papers  (as  doubtless  you  see  (for  your  eyes 
are  young)  by  the  outsides)  that  require  copying." 

"Well,  then,  I  will  accompany  you  to  your  office,  and 
receive  such  as  are  most  needed,  and  by  night  I  shall  have 
them  done  if  there  be  much  haste." 

"  I  shall  always  be  glad  to  see  you,  sir,  at  my  office  (as 
in  duty  bound  (not  that  it  is  obligatory  to  receive  any  man 
within  your  dwelling  (unless  so  inclined),  which  is  a  cas- 
tle), according  to  the  forms  of  politeness),  or  at  any  other 
place  ;  but  the  papers  are  most  strictly  confidential  (and, 
as  such,  cannot  be  read  by  any  one),  unless  so  directed  (by 
Judge  Temple's  solemn  injunctions),  and  are  invisible  to 
all  eyes  ;  excepting  those  whose  duties  (I  mean  assumed 
duties)  require  it  of  them." 

"  Well,  sir,  as  I  perceive  that  I  can  be  of  no  service,  I 
wish  you  another  good-morning  ;  but  beg  you  will  remem- 
ber that  I  am  quite  idle  just  now,  and  I  wish  you  would 
intimate  as  much  to  Judge  Temple,  and  make  him  a  tender 
of  my  services  in  any  part  of  the  world,  unless — unless — it 
be  far  from  Templeton." 

**  I   will  make  the  communication,   sir,  in  your  name 


262  THE  PIONEERS. 

(with  your  own  qualifications),  as  your  agent.  Good-morn« 
ing,  sir.  But  stay  proceedings,  Mr.  Edwards  (so  called), 
for  a  moment.  Do  you  wish  me  to  state  the  offer  of  trav- 
elling as  a  final  contract  (for  which  consideration  has  been 
received  at  former  dates  (by  sums  advanced),  which  would 
be  binding),  or  as  a  tender  of  services  for  which  corn  pen 
sation  is  to  be  paid  (according  to  future  agreement  be- 
tween the  parties),  on  performance  of  the  conditions  ?" 

" Any  way,  any  way,"  said  Edwards,  "he  seems  in  dis- 
tress, and  I  would  assist  him." 

"  The  motive  is  good,  sir  (according  to  appearances 
(which  are  often  deceitful)  on  first  impressions),  and  does 
you  honor.  I  will  mention  your  wish,  young  gentleman 
(as  you  now  seem),  and  will  not  fail  to  communicate  the 
answer  by  five  o'clock  P.M.  of  this  present  day  (God  will- 
ing), if  you  give  me  an  opportunity  so  to  do." 

The  ambiguous  nature  of  the  situation  and  character  of 
Mr.  Edwards  had  rendered  him  an  object  of  peculiar  sus- 
picion to  the  lawyer,  and  the  youth  was  consequently  too 
much  accustomed  to  similar  equivocal  and  guarded  speeches 
to  feel  any  unusual  disgust  at  the  present  dialogue.  He 
saw  at  once  that  it  was  the  intention  of  the  practitioner  to 
conceal  the  nature  of  his  business,  even  from  the  private 
secretary  of  Judge  Temple  ;  and  he  knew  too  well  the  dif- 
ficulty of  comprehending  the  meaning  of  Mr.  Van  der 
School,  when  the  gentleman  most  wished  to  be  luminous 
in  his  discourse,  not  to  abandon  all  thoughts  of  a  discovery, 
when  he  perceived  that  the  attorney  was  endeavoring  to 
avoid  anything  like  an  approach  to  a  cross-examination, 
They  parted  at  the  gate,  the  lawyer  walking,  with  an  im 
portant  and  hurried  air  toward  his  office,  keeping  his  right 
hand  firmly  clinched  on  the  bundle  of  papers. 

It  must  have  been  obvious  to  all  our  readers,  that  the 
youth  entertained  an  unusual  and  deeply  seated  prejudice 
against  the  character  of  the  Judge  ;  but  owing  to  some 
counteracting  cause,  his  sensations  were  now  those  of 
powerful  interest  in  the  state  of  his  patron's  present  feel- 
ings, and  in  the  cause  of  his  secret  uneasiness. 

He  remained  gazing  after  the  lawyer  until  the  door 
closed  on  both  the  bearer  and  the  mysterious  packet,  when 
he  returned  slowly  to  the  dwelling,  and  endeavored  to  for- 
get his  curiosity  in  the  usual  avocations  of  his  office. 

When  the  Judge  made  his  reappearance  in  the  circles 
of  his  family,  his  cheerfulness  was  tempered  by  a  shade  of 


THE  PIONEERS.  263 

melancholy  that  lingered  for  many  days  around  his  manly 
brow  ;  but  the  magical  progression  of  the  season  aroused 
him  from  his  temporary  apathy,  and  his  smiles  returned 
with  the  summer. 

The  heats  of  the  days,  and  the  frequent  occurrence  oi 
balmy  showers,  had  completed,  in  an  incredibly  short 
period,  the  growth  of  plants,  which  the  lingering  spring 
had  so  long  retarded  in  the  germ  ;  and  the  woods  presented 
every  shade  of  green  that  the  American  forests  know. 
The  stumps  in  the  cleared  fields  were  already  hidden  be- 
neath the  wheat  that  was  waving  with  every  breath  of  the 
summer  air,  shining  and  changing  its  hues  like  velvet. 

During  the  continuance  of  his  cousin's  dejection,  Mr. 
Jones  forebore,  with  much  consideration,  to  press  on  his 
attention  a  business  that  each  hour  was  drawing  nearer  to 
the  heart  of  the  sheriff,  and  which,  if  any  opinion  could 
be  formed  by  his  frequent  private  conferences  with  the 
man  who  was  introduced  in  these  pages  by  the  name  of 
Jotham,  at  the  bar-room  of  the  Bold  Dragoon,  was  becom- 
ing also  of  great  importance. 

At  length  the  sheriff  ventured  to  allude  again  to  the 
subject ;  and  one  evening,  in  the  beginning  of  July,  Mar- 
maduke  made  him  a  promise  of  devoting  the  following  day 
to  the  desired  excursion. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

"Speak  on,  my  dearest  father  ! 
Thy  words  are  like  the  breezes  of  the  west." — MiLMAN. 

IT  was  a  mild  and  soft  morning,  when  Marmaduke  and 
Richard  mounted  their  horses  and  proceeded  on  the  ex- 
pedition that  had  so  long  been  uppermost  in  the  thoughts 
of  the  latter  ;  and  Elizabeth  and  Louisa  appeared  at  the 
same  instant  in  the  hall,  attired  for  an  excursion  on  foot. 

The  head  of  Miss  Grant  was  covered  by  a  neat  little  hat 
of  green  silk,  and  her  modest  eyes  peered  from  under  its 
shade,  with  the  soft  languor  that  characterized  her  whole 
appearance  ;  but  Miss  Temple  trod  her  father's  wide 
apartments  with  the  step  of  their  mistress,  holding  in  her 
hands,  dangling  by  one  of  its  ribbons,  the  gipsy  that  was 
to  conceal  the  glossy  locks  that  curled  around  her  polished 
forehead  in  rich  profusion. 


264  THE  P10NEK&S. 

"  What  ?  are  you  for  a  walk,  Bess  ? "  cried  the  Judge, 
suspending  his  movements  for  a  moment  to  smile,  with  a 
father's  fondness,  at  the  display  of  womanly  grace  and 
beauty  that  his  child  presented.  "  Remember  the  heats 
of  July,  my  daughter  ;  nor  venture  further  than  thou  canst 
retrace  before  the  meridian.  Where  is  thy  parasol,  girl  ? 
thou  wilt  lose  the  polish  of  that  brow,  under  this  sun  and 
southern  breeze,  unless  thou  guard  it  with  unusual  care." 

"  I  shall  then  do  more  honor  to  my  connections,"  re- 
turned the  smiling  daughter.  "  Cousin  Richard  has  a 
bloom  that  any  lady  might  envy.  At  present  the  resem- 
blance between  us  is  so  trifling  that  no  stranger  would 
know  us  to  be  'sisters'  children.'" 

"  Grandchildren,  you  mean,  Cousin  Bess,"  said  the 
sheriff.  "  But  on,  Judge  Temple  ;  time  and  tide  wait  for 
no  man  ;  and  if  you  take  my  counsel,  sir,  in  twelve  months 
from  this  day  you  may  make  an  umbrella  for  your  daughter 
of  her  camel's  hair  shawl,  and  have  its  frame  of  solid  silver. 
I  ask  nothing  for  myself,  'duke  ;  you  have  been  a  good 
friend  to  me  already  ;  besides,  all  that  I  have  will  go  to 
Bess  there,  one  of  these  melancholy  days,  so  it's  as  long  as 
it's  short,  whether  I  or  you  leave  it.  But  we  have  a  day's 
ride  before  us,  sir  ;  so  move  forward,  or  dismount,  and  say 
you  won't  go  at  once." 

"  Patience,  patience,  Dickon,"  returned  the  Judge,  check- 
ing his  horse  and  turning  again  to  his  daughter.  "  If 
thou  art  for  the  mountains,  love,  stray  not  too  deep  into 
the  forest,  I  entreat  thee  ;  for,  though  it  is  done  often  with 
impunity,  there  is  sometimes  danger." 

"  Not  at  this  season,  I  believe,  sir,"  said  Elizabeth  ;  "  for, 
I  will  confess,  it  is  the  intention  of  Louisa  and  myself  to 
stroll  among  the  hills." 

"Less  at  this  season  than  in  the  winter,  dear;  but  still 
there  may  be  danger  in  venturing  too  far.  But  though 
thou  art  resolute,  Elizabeth,  thou  art  too  much  like  thy 
mother  not  to  be  prudent." 

The  eyes  of  the  parent  turned  reluctantly  from  his  child, 
and  the  Judge  and  sheriff  rode  slowly  through  the  gate- 
way, and  disappeared  among  the  buildings  of  the  village. 

During  this  short  dialogue,  young  Edwards  stood,  an 
attentive  listener,  holding  in  his  hand  a  fishing-rod,  the 
day  and  the  season  having  tempted  him  also  to  desert  the 
house  for  the  pleasure  of  exercise  in  the  air.  As  the  eques- 
trians turned  through  the  gate,  he  approached  the  young 


THE  PIONEERS.  265 

females,  who  were  already  moving  toward  the  street,  and 
was  about  to  address  them,  as  Louisa  paused,  and  said, 
quickly  : 

"  Mr.  Edwards  would  speak  to  us,  Elizabeth." 

The  other  stopped  also,  and  turned  to  the  youth,  politely 
but  with  a  slight  coldness  in  her  air,  that  sensibly  checked 
the  freedom  with  which  he  had  approached  them. 

"Your  father  is  not  pleased  that  you  should  walk  unat- 
tended in  the  hills,  Miss  Temple.  If  I  might  offer  myself 
as  a  protector " 

"  Does  my  father  select  Mr.  Oliver  Edwards  as  the  organ 
of  his  displeasure  ?'J  interrupted  the  lady. 

"  Good  Heaven  !  you  misunderstood  my  meaning ;  I 
should  have  said  uneasy  for  not  pleased.  1  am  his  servant, 
madam,  and  in  consequence  yours.  I  repeat  that,  with 
your  consent,  I  will  change  my  rod  for  a  fowling-piece, 
and  keep  nigh  you  on  the  mountain." 

"  I  thank  you,  Mr.  Edwards  ;  but  where  there  is  no 
danger,  no  protection  is  required.  We  are  not  yet  re- 
duced to  wandering  among  these  free  hills  accompanied 
by  a  body-guard.  If  such  a  one  is  necessary  there  he  is, 
however. — Here,  Brave — Brave — my  noble  Brave  !  " 

The  huge  mastiff,  that  has  been  already  mentioned,  ap- 
peared from  his  kennel,  gaping  and  stretching  himself 
with  pampered  laziness ;  but  as  his  mistress  again  called  : 
"Come,  dear  Brave  ;  once  you  have  served  your  master 
well  ;  let  us  see  how  you  can  do  your  duty  by  his  daugh- 
ter " — the  dog  wagged  his  tail,  as  if  he  understood  her 
language,  walked  with  a  stately  gait  to  her  side,  where  he 
seated  himself,  and  looked  up  at  her  face,  with  an  intelli- 
gence but  little  inferior  to  that  which  beamed  in  her  own 
lovely  countenance. 

She  resumed  her  walk,  but  again  paused,  after  a  few 
steps,  and  added,  in  tones  of  conciliation  : 

"  You  can  be  serving  us  equally,  and,  I  presume,  more 
agreeably  to  yourself,  Mr.  Edwards,  by  bringing  us  a 
string  of  your  favorite  perch  for  the  dinner-table." 

When  they  again  began  to  walk  Miss  Temple  did  not 
look  back  to  see  how  the  youth  bore  this  repulse ;  but  the 
head  of  Louisa  was  turned  several  times  before  they 
reached  the  gate  on  that  considerate  errand. 

"  I  am  afraid,  Elizabeth,"  she  said,  "  that  we  have  morti- 
fied Oliver.  He  is  still  standing  where  we  left  him,  leaning 
on  his  rod.  Perhaps  he  thinks  us  proud." 


*66  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  He  thinks  justly,"  exclaimed  Miss  Temple,  as  if  awak< 
ing  from  a  deep  musing;  "he.  thinks  justly,  then.  We 
are  too  proud  to  admit  of  such  particular  attentions  from 
a  young  man  in  an  equivocal  situation.  What  !  make  him 
the  companion  of  our  most  private  walks  !  It  is  pride, 
Louisa,  but  it  is  the  pride  of  a  woman." 

It  was  several  minutes  before  Oliver  aroused  himself 
from  the  abstracted  position  in  which  he  was  standing 
when  Louisa  last  saw  him  ;  but  when  he  did,  he  muttered 
something  rapidly  and  incoherently,  and,  throwing  his 
rod  over  his  shoulder,  he  strode  down  the  walk  through 
the  gate,  and  along  one  of  the  streets  of  the  village,  until 
he  reached  the  lake-shore,  with  the  air  of  an  emperor.  At 
this  spot  boats  were  kept  for  the  use  of  Judge  Temple  and 
his  family.  The  young  man  threw  himself  into  a  light 
skiff,  and,  seizing  the  oars,  he  sent  it  across  the  lake  toward 
the  hut  of  Leather-Stocking,  with  a  pair  of  vigorous  arms. 
By  the  time  he  had  rowed  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  his  reflec- 
tions were  less  bitter  ;  and  when  he  saw  the  bushes  that 
lined  the  shore  in  front  of  Natty 's  habitation  gliding  by 
him,  as  if  they  possessed  the  motion  which  proceeded  from 
his  own  efforts,  he  was  quite  cooled  in  mind,  though  some- 
what heated  in  body.  It  is  quite  possible  that  the  very 
same  reason  which  guided  the  conduct  of  Miss  Temple, 
suggested  itself  to  a  man  of  the  breeding  and  education  of 
the  youth  ;  and  it  is  very  certain  that,  if  such  were  the  case, 
Elizabeth  rose  instead  of  falling  in  the  estimation  of  Mr. 
Edwards. 

The  oars  were  now  raised  from  the  water,  and  the  boat 
shot  close  in  to  the  land,  where  it  lay  gently  agitated  by 
waves  of  its  own  creating,  while  the  young  man,  first  cast- 
ing a  cautious  and  searching  glance  around  him  in  every 
direction,  put  a  small  whistle  to  his  mouth,  and  blew  a 
long,  shrill  note  that  rang  among  the  echoing  rocks  be- 
hind the  hut.  At  this  alarm,  the  hounds  of  Natty  rushed 
out  of  their  bark  kennel,  and  commenced  their  long  pit- 
eous howls,  leaping  about  as  if  half  frantic,  though  re- 
strained by  the  leashes  of  buckskin  by  which  they  were 
fastened. 

"  Quiet,  Hector,  quiet,"  said  Oliver,  again  applying  his 
whistle  tp  his.  mouth,  and  drawing  out  notes  still  more 
shrill  than  before.  £Jq  reply  was  made,  the  dogs  having 
returned  to  their  kennel  at ' the  sound  of  his  voice. 

Edwards  pulleci  tl^e  bows  of  the  boat  on  £he  shore,  and 


THE  PIONEERS.  267 

landing,  ascended  the  beach  and  approached  the  door  of 
the  cabin.  The  fastenings  were  soon  undone,  arid  lie  en- 
tered, closing  the  door  after  him,  when  all  was  as  silent, 
in  that  retired  spot,  as  if  the  foot  of  man  had  never  trod 
the  wilderness.  The  sounds  of  the  hammers,  that  were  in 
incessant  motion  in  the  village,  were  faintly  heard  across 
the  water  ;  but  the  dogs  had  crouched  into  their  lairs, 
satisfied  that  none  but  the  privileged  had  approached  the 
forbidden  ground. 

A  quarter  of  an  hour  elapsed  before  the  youth  reap- 
peared, when  he  fastened  the  door  again,  and  spoke  kindly 
to  the  hounds.  The  dogs  came  out  at  the  well-known 
tones,  and  the  slut  jumped  upon  his  person,  whining  and 
barking,  as  if  entreating  Oliver  to  release  her  from  prison. 
Bat  old  Hector  raised  his  nose  to  the  light  current  of  air, 
and  opened  a  long  howl,  that  might  have  been  heard  for 
a  mile. 

"  Ha  !  what  do  you  scent,  old  veteran  of  the  woods  ?  " 
cried  Edwards.  "  If  a  beast,  it  is  a  bold  one  ;  and  if  a  man, 
an  impudent." 

He  sprang  through  the  top  of  a  pine  that  had  fallen 
near  the  side  of  the  hut,  and  ascended  a  small  hillock  that 
sheltered  the  cabin  to  the  south,  where  he  caught  a  glimpse 
of  the  formal  figure  of  Hiram  Doolittle,  as  it  vanished,  with 
unusual  rapidity  for  the  architect,  amid  the  bushes. 

"  What  can  that  fellow  be  wanting  here  ? "  muttered 
Oliver.  "  He  has  no  business  in  this  quarter,  unless  it  be 
curiosity,  which  is  an  endemic  in  these  w'oods.  But  against 
that  I  will  effectually  guard,  though  the  dogs  should  take 
a  liking  to  his  ugly  visage,  and  let  him  pass."  The  youth 
returned  to  the  door,  while  giving  vent  to  this  soliloquy, 
and  completed  the  fastenings  by  placing  a  small  chain 
through  a  staple,  and  securing  it  there  by  a  padlock.  "  He 
is  a  pettifogger,  and  surely  must  know  that  there  is  such  a 
tiling  as  feloniously  breaking  into  a  man's  house." 

Apparently  well  satisfied  with  this  arrangement,  the 
youth  again  spoke  to  the  hounds  ;  and,  descending  to  the 
shore,  he  launched  his  boat,  and  taking  up  his  oars,  pulled 
off  into  the  lake. 

There  were  several  places  in  the  Otsego  that  were  cele- 
brated fishing-ground  for  perch.  One  was  nearly  opposite 
to  the  cabin,  and  another,  still  more  famous,  was  near  a 
point,  at  the  distance  of  a  mile  and  a  half  above  it,  under 
the  brow  of  the  mountain,  and  on  the  same  side  of  the 


268  THE  PIONEERS. 

lake  with  the  hut.  Oliver  Edwards  pulled  his  little  skiff 
to  the  first,  and  sat,  for  a  minute,  undecided  whether  to 
continue  there,  with  his  eyes  on  the  door  of  the  cabin,  or 
to  change  his  ground,  with  a  view -to  get  superior  game. 
While  gazing  about  him,  he  saw  the  light-colored  bark 
canoe  of  his  old  companions  riding  on  the  water,  at  the 
point  we  have  mentioned,  and  containing  two  figures,  that 
he  at  once  knew  to  be  Mohegan  and  the  Leather-Stocking. 
This  decided  the  matter,  and  the  youth  pulled,  in  a  very 
few  minutes,  to  the  place  where  his  friends  were  fishing, 
and  fastened  his  boat  to  the  light  vessel  of  the  Indian. 

The  old  men  received  Oliver  with  welcoming  nods,  but 
neither  drew  his  line  from  the  water,  nor  in  the  least  varied 
his  occupation.  When  Edwards  had  secured  his  own  boat, 
he  baited  his  hook  and  threw  it  into  the  lake,  without 
speaking. 

"  Did  you  stop  at  the  wigwam,  lad,  as  you  rowed  past  ?  " 
asked  Natty. 

"  Yes,  and  I  found  all  safe  ;  but  that  carpenter  and  jus- 
tice of  the  peace,  Mr. ,  or  as  they  call  him,  Squire,  Doo- 
little,  was  prowling  through  the  woods.  I  made  sure  of 
the  door  before  I  left  the  hut,  and  I  think  he  is  too  great 
a  coward  to  approach  the  hounds." 

"  There's  little  to  be  said  in  favor  of  that  man,"  said  Natty, 
while  he  drew  in  a  perch  and  baited  his  hook.  "  He  craves 
dreadfully  to  come  into  the  cabin,  and  has  as  good  as  asked 
me  as  much  to  my  face  ;  but  I  put  him  off  with  unsartain 
answers,  so  that  he  is  no  wiser  than  Solomon.  This  comes 
of  having  so  many  laws  that  such  a  man  may  be  called  on 
to  intarpret  them." 

"  I  fear  lie  is  more  knave  than  fool,"  cried  Edwards  ;  "  he 
makes  a  tool  of  that  simple  man,  the  sheriff  ;  and  I  dread 
that  his  impertinent  curiosity  may  yet  give  us  much  trouble." 

"  If  he  harbors  too  much  about  the  cabin,  lad,  I'll  shoot 
the  creater,"  said  the  Leather-Stocking,  quite  simply. 

"  No,  no,  Natty,  you  must  remember  the  law,"  said  Ed- 
wards, "  or  we  shall  have  you  in  trouble  ;  and  that,  old 
man,  would  be  an  evil  day  and  sore  tidings  to  us  all." 

"  Would  it,  boy  ?  "  exclaimed  the  hunter,  raising  his  eyes 
with  a  look  of  friendly  interest,  toward  the  youth.  "  You 
have  the  true  blood  in  your  veins,  Mr.  Oliver  ;  and  I'll 
support  it  to  the  face  of  Judge  Temple,  or  in  any  court  in 
the  country.  How  is  it,  John  ?  Do  I  speak  the  true  word  ? 
Is  the  lad  stanch,  and  of  the  right  blood  ? " 


THE  PIONEERS.  269 

"  He  is  a  Delaware,"  said  Mohegan,"  and  my  brother. 
The  young  Eagle  is  brave,  and  he  will  be  a  chief.  No 
harm  can  come." 

"  Well,  well,"  cried  the  youth,  impatiently,  "  say  no  more 
about  it,  my  good  friends  ;  if  I  am  not  all  that  your  parti- 
ality would  make  me,  I  am  yours  through  life,  in  prosperity 
as  in  poverty.  We  will  talk  of  other  matters." 

The  old  hunters  yielded  to  his  wish,  which  seemed  to  be 
their  law.  For  a  short  time  a  profound  silence  prevailed, 
during  which  each  man  was  very  busy  with  his  hook  and  line  , 
but  Edwards,  probably  feeling  that  it  remained  with  him 
to  renew  the  discourse,  soon  observed,  with  the  air  of  one 
who  knew  not  what  he  said  : 

"  How  beautifully  tranquil  and  glassy  the  lake  is  !  Saw 
you  it  ever  more  calm  and  even  than  at  this  moment, 
Natty  ? " 

"  I  have  known  the  Otsego  water  for  five  and  forty 
years,"  said  Leather-Stocking,  "and  I  will  say  that  for  it, 
which  is,  that  a  cleaner  spring  or  better  fishing  is  not  to 
be  found  in  the  land.  Yes,  yes  ;  I  had  the  place  to  my- 
self once,  and  a  cheerful  time  I  had  of  it.  The  game  was 
plenty  as  heart  could  wish  ;  and  there  was  none  to  meddle 
with  the  ground,  unless  there  might  have  been  a  hunting 
party  of  the  Delawares  crossing  the  hills,  or,  maybe,  a 
rifling  scout  of  them  thieves,  the  Iroquois.  There  was  one 
or  two  Frenchmen  that  squatted  in  the  flats  further  west, 
and  married  squaws ;  and  some  of  the  Scotch-Irishers,  from 
the  Cherry  Valley,  would  come  on  to  the  lake,  and  bor- 
row my  canoe  to  take  a  mess  of  parch,  or  drop  a  line  for 
salmon-trout ;  but,  in  the  main,  it  was  a  cheerful  place, 
and  I  had  but  little  to  disturb  me  in  it.  John  would  come, 
and  John  knows." 

Mohegan  turned  his  dark  face  at  this  appeal ;  and, 
moving  his  hand  forward  with  graceful  motion  of  assent, 
he  spoke,  using  the  Delaware  language  : 

"  The  land  was  owned  by  my  people  ;  we  gave  it  to  my 
brother,  in  council — to  the  Fire-eater  ;  and  what  the  Dela- 
wares give  lasts  as  long  as  the  waters  run.  Hawk-eye 
smoked  at  that  council,  for  we  loved  him." 

"  No,  no,  John,"  said  Natty ;  "  I  was  no  chief,  seeing 
that  I  know'd  nothing  of  scholarship,  and  had  a  white  skin. 
But  it  was  a  comfortable  hunting-ground  then,  lad,  and 
would  have  been  so  this  day,  but  for  the  money  of  Marma- 
duke  Temple,  and  the  twisty  ways  of  the  law." 


270  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  It  must  have  been  a  sight  of  melancholy  pleasure  in- 
deed," said  Edwards,  while  his  eye  roved  along  the  shores 
and  over  the  hills,  where  the  clearings,  groaning  with  the 
golden  corn,  were  cheering  the  forest  with  the  signs  of 
life,  "  to  have  roamed  over  these  mountains  and  along  this 
sheet  of  beautiful  water,  without  a  living  soul  to  speak  to, 
or  to  thwart  your  humor." 

"  Haven't  I  said  it  was  cheerful  ?  "  said  Leather-Stocking. 
"  Yes,  yes,  when  the  trees  began  to  be  covered  with  leaves, 
and  the  ice  was  out  of  the  lake,  it  was  a  second  paradise. 
I  have  travelled  the  woods  for  fifty-three  years,  and  have 
made  them  my  home  for  more  than  forty  ;  and  I  can  say 
that  I  have  met  but  one  place  that  was  more  to  my  liking  ; 
and  that  was  only  to  eye-sight,  and  not  for  hunting  or  fish- 
ing." 

"  And  where  was  that  ?  "  asked  Edwards. 

"  Where  !  why  up  on  the  Catskills.  I  used  often  to  go 
up  into  the  mountains  after  wolves'  skins  and  bears  ;  once 
they  paid  me  to  get  them  a  stuffed  painter,  and  so  I  often 
went.  There's  a  place  in  them  hills  that  I  used  to  climb 
to  when  I  wanted  to  see  the  carryings  on  of  the  world,  that 
would  well  pay  any  man  for  a  barked  shin  or  a  torn  moc- 
casin. You  know  the  Catskills,  lad;  for  you  must  have 
seen  them  on  your  left,  as  you  followed  the  river  up  from 
York,  looking  as  blue  as  a  piece  of  clear  sky,  and  holding 
the  clouds  on  their  tops,  as  the  smoke  curls  over  the  head 
of  an  Indian  chief  at  the  council  fire.  Well,  there's  the 
High-peak  and  the  Round-top,  which  lay  back  like  a  fa- 
ther and  mother  among  their  children,  seeing  they  are  far 
above  all  the  other  hills.  But  the  place  I  mean  is  next  to 
the  river,  where  one  of  the  ridges  juts  out  a  little  from  the 
rest,  and  where  the  rocks  fall,  for  the  best  part  of  a  thou- 
sand feet,  so  much  up  and  down,  that  a  man  standing  on 
their  edges  is  fool  enough  to  think  he  can  jump  from  top 
to  bottom." 
'  "  What  see  you  when  you  get  there  ? "  asked  Edwards. 

"  Creation,"  said  Natty,  dropping  the  end  of  his  rod  into 
the  water,  and  sweeping  one  hand  around  him  in  a  circle  ; 
"  all  creation,  lad.  I  was  on  that  hill  when  Vaughan  burned 
'Sopus  in  the  last  war  ;  and  I  saw  the  vessels  come  out  of 
the  Highlands  as  plain  as  I  can  see  that  lime-scow  rowing 
into  the  Susquehanna,  though  one  was  twenty  times  far- 
ther from  me  than  the  other.  The  river  was  in  sight  for 
seventy  miles,  looking  like  a  curled  shaving  under  my  feet, 


THE  PIONEERS.  271 

though  it  was  eight  long  miles  to  its  banks.  I  saw  the  hills 
in  the  Hampshire  grants,  the  highlands  of  the  river,  and 
all  that  God  had  done,  or  man  could  do,  far  as  eye  could 
reach — you  know  that  the  Indians  named  me  for  my  sight, 
lad ;  and  from  the  flat  on  the  top  of  that  mountain,  I  have 
often  found  the  place  where  Albany  stands.  And  as  for 
'Sopus,  the  day  the  royal  troops  burnt  the  town,  the  smoke 
seemed  so  nigh,  that  I  thought  I  could  hear  the  screeches 
of  the  women." 

"  It  must  have  been  worth  the  toil  to  meet  with  such  a 
glorious  view." 

"  If  being  the  best  part  of  a  mile  in  the  air,  and  having 
men's  farms  and  houses  at  your  feet,  with  rivers  looking 
like  ribbons,  and  mountains  bigger  than  the  'Vision,' 
seeming  to  be  hay-stacks  of  green  grass  under  you,  gives 
any  satisfaction  to  a  man,  I  can  recommend  the  spot. 
When  I  first  came  into  the  woods  to  live,  I  used  to  have 
weak  spells  when  I  felt  lonesome  ;  and  then  I  would  go 
into  the  Catskills,  and  spend  a  few  days  on  that  hill  to  look 
at  the  ways  of  man  ;  but  it's  now  many  a  year  since  I  felt 
any  such  longings,  and  I  am  getting  too  old  for  rugged 
rocks.  But  there's  a  place,  a  short  two  miles  back  of  that 
very  hill,  that  in  late  times  I  relished  better  than  the 
mountains  ;  for  it  was  more  covered  with  the  trees,  and 
nateral." 

"  And  where  was  that  ?"  inquired  Edwards,  whose  curi- 
osity was  strongly  excited  by  the  simple  description  of  the 
hunter. 

"Why,  there's  a  fall  in  the  hills  where  the  water  of  two 
little  ponds,  that  lie  near  each  other,  breaks  out  of  their 
bounds  and  runs  over  the  rocks  into  the  valley.  The 
stream  is,  maybe,  such  a  one  as  would  turn  a  mill,  if  so 
useless  a  thing  was  wanted  in  the  wilderness.  But  the 
hand  that  made  that  '  Leap '  never  made  a  mill.  There 
the  water  comes  crooking  and  winding  among  the  rocks  ; 
first  so  slow  that  a  trout  could  swim  in  it,  and  then  start- 
ing and  running  like  a  crater  that  wanted  to  make  a  far 
spring,  till  it  gets  to  where  the  mountain  divides,  like  the 
cleft  hoof  of  a  deer,  leaving  a  deep  hollow  for  the  brook 
to  tumble  into.  The  first  pitch  is  nigh  two  hundred  feet, 
and  the  water  looks  like  flakes  of  driven  snow  afore  it 
touches  the  bottom  ;  and  there  the  stream  gathers  itself 
together  again  for  a  new  start,  and  maybe  flutters  over 
fifty  feet  of  flat  rock  before  it  falls  for  another  hundred, 


272  THE  PIONEERS. 

when  it  jumps  about  from  shelf  to  shelf,  first  turning  this* 
away  and  then  turning  that-away,  striving  to  get  out  of 
the  hollow,  till  it  finally  comes  to  the  plain." 

"  I  have  never  heard  of  this  spot  before  ;  it  is  not  men- 
tioned in  the  books." 

"  I  never  read  a  book  in  my  life,"  said  Leather-Stocking  ; 
"  and  how  should  a  man  who  has  lived  in  towns  and  schools 
know  anything  about  the  wonders  of  the  woods  ?  No,  no, 
lad  ;  there  has  that  little  stream  of  water  been  playing 
among  the  hills  since  He  made  the  world,  and  not  a  dozen 
white  men  have  ever  laid  eyes  on  it.  The  rock  sweeps  like 
mason-work,  in  a  half  round,  on  both  sides  of  the  fall,  and 
shelves  over  the  bottom  for  fifty  feet;  so  that  when  I've 
been  sitting  at  the  foot  of  the  first  pitch,  and  my  hounds 
have  run  into  the  caverns  behind  the  sheet  of  water,  they've 
looked  no  bigger  than  so  many  rabbits.  To  my  judgment, 
lad,  it's  the  best  piece  of  work  that  I've  met  with  in  the 
woods  ;  and  none  know  how  often  the  hand  of  God  is  seen 
in  the  wilderness,  but  them  that  rove  it  for  a  man's 
life." 

"What  becomes  of  the  water?  In  which  direction  does 
it  run  ?  Is  it  a  tributary  of  the  Delaware  ?" 

"  Anan  !  "  said  Natty. 

"  Does  the  water  run  into  the  Delaware  ? " 

"  No,  no  ;  it's  a  drop  for  the  old  Hudson,  and  a  merry 
time  it  has  till  it  gets  down  off  the  mountain.  I've  sat  on 
the  shelving  rock  many  a  long  hour,  boy,  and  watched 
the  bubbles  as  they  shot  by  me,  and  thought  how  long  it 
would  be  before  that  very  water,  which  seemed  made  for 
the  wilderness,  would  be  under  the  bottom  of  a  vessel,  and 
tossing  in  the  salt  sea.  It  is  a  spot  to  make  a  man  solem- 
nize. You  go  right  down  into  the  valley  that  lies  to  the 
east  of  the  High  Peak,  where,  in  the  fall  of  the  year,  thou- 
sands of  acres  of  woods  are  before  your  eyes,  in  the  deep 
hollow,  and  along  the  side  of  the  mountain,  painted  like 
ten  thousand  rainbows,  by  no  hand  of  man,  though  with- 
out the  ordering  of  God's  providence." 

"You  are  eloquent,  Leather-Stocking,"  exclaimed  the 
youth. 

"  Anan  !  "  repeated  Natty. 

"  The  recollection  of  the  sight  has  warmed  your  blood, 
old  man.  How  many  years  is  it  since  you  saw  the  place  ? " 

The  hunter  made  no  reply  ;  but,  bending  his  ear  near 
the  water,  he  sat  holding  his  breath,  and  listening  atten- 


THE  PIONEERS. 


273 


tively  as  if  to  some  distant  sound.     At  length  he  raised 
his  head,  and  said  : 

"  If  I  hadn't  fastened  the  hounds  with  my  own  hands, 
With  a  fresh  leash  of  green  buckskin,  I'd  take  a  Bible  oath 
that  I  heard  old  Hector  ringing  his  cry  on  the  mountain." 

"It  is  impossible,"  said  Edwards;  "it  is  not  an  hour 
since  I  saw  him  in  his  kennel." 

By  this  time  the  attention  of  Mohegan  was  attracted  to 
the  sounds  ;  but,  notwithstanding  the  youth  was  both 
silent  and  attentive,  he  could  hear  nothing  but  the  lowing 
of  some  cattle  from  the  western  hills.  He  looked  at  the 
old  men,  Natty  sitting  with  his  hand  to  his  ear,  like  a  trum- 
pet, and  Mohegan  bending  forward,  with  an  arm  raised  to 
a  level  with  his  face,  holding  the  forefinger  elevated  as  a 
signal  for  attention,  and  laughed  aloud  at  what  he  deemed 
to  be  their  imaginary  sounds. 

"  Laugh  if  you  will,  boy,"  said  Leather-Stocking,  "the 
hounds  be  out,  and  are  hunting  a  deer.  No  man  can  de- 
ceive me  in  such  a  matter.  I  wouldn't  have  had  the  thing 
happen  for  a  beaver's  skin.  Not  that  I  care  for  the  law  ; 
but  the  venison  is  lean  now,  and  the  dumb  things  run  the 
flesh  off  their  own  bones  for  no  good.  Now  do  you  hear 
the  hounds  ?  " 

Edwards  started,  as  a  full  cry  broke  on  his  ear,  changing 
from  the  distant  sounds  that  were  caused  by  some  inter- 
vening hill,  to  confused  echoes  that  rang  among  the  rocks 
that  the  dogs  were  passing,  and  then  directly  to  a  deep 
and  hollow  baying  that  pealed  under  the  forest  under  the 
lake  shore.  These  variations  in  the  tones  of  the  hounds 
passed  with  amazing  rapidity  ;  and,  while  his  eyes  were 
glancing  along  the  margin  of  the  water,  a  tearing  of  the 
branches  of  the  alder  and  dogwood  caught  his  attention, 
at  a  spot  near  them,  and  at  the  next  moment  a  noble 
buck  sprang  on  the  shore,  and  buried  himself  in  the 
lake.  A  full-mouthed  cry  followed,  when  Hector  and  the 
slut  shot  through  the  opening  in  the  bushes,  and  darted 
into  the  lake  also,  bearing  their  breasts  gallantly  against 
the  water. 

18 


274  THE  PIONEERS. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

"Oft  in  the  full  descending  flood  he  tries 
To  lose  the  scent,  and  lave  his  burning  sides." — THOMSON. 

"  I  KNOW'D  it — I  know'd  it !  "  cried  Natty,  when  both 
deer  and  hounds  were  in  full  view  ;  "  the  buck  has  gone 
by  them  with  the  wind,  and  it  has  been  too  much  for  the 
poor  rogues  ;  but  I  must  break  them  of  these  tricks,  or 
they'll  give  me  a  deal  of  trouble.  He-ere,  he-ere — shore 
with  you,  rascals — shore  with  you — will  ye  ? — Oh  !  off 
with  you,  old  Hector,  or  I'll  hatchel  your  hide-  with  my 
ramrod  when  I  get  ye." 

The  dogs  knew  their  master's  voice,  and  after  swimming 
in  a  circle,  as  if  reluctant  to  give  over  the  chase,  and  yet 
afraid  to  persevere,  they  finally  obeyed,  and  returned  to  the 
land,  where  they  filled  the  air  with  their  cries. 

In  the  meantime  the  deer,  urged  by  his  fears,  had  swum 
over  half  the  distance  between  the  shore  and  the  boats, 
before  his  terror  permitted  him  to  see  the  new  danger. 
But  at  the  sounds  of  Natty's  voice,  he  turned  short  in  his 
course,  and  for  a  few  moments  seemed  about  to  rush  back 
again,  and  brave  the  dogs.  His  retreat  in  this  direction 
Was,  however,  effectually  cut  off,  and,  turning  a  second 
time,  he  urged  his  course  obliquely  for  the  centre  of  the 
lake,  with  an  intention  of  landing  on  the  western  shore. 
As  the  buck  swam  by  the  fishermen,  raising  his  nose  high 
into  the  air,  curling  the  water  before  his  slim  neck  like 
the  beak  of  a  galley,  the  Leather-Stocking  began  to  sit 
very  uneasy  in  his  canoe. 

u  'Tis  a  noble  creater  !  "  he  exclaimed  ,  "  what  a  pair  of 
horns  !  a  man  might  hang  up  all  his  garments  on  the 
branches.  Let  me  see — July  is  the  last  month,  and  the 
flesh  must  be  getting  good."  While  he  was  talking,  Natty 
had  instinctively  employed  himself  in  fastening  the  inner 
end  of  the  bark  rope,  that  served  him  for  a  cable,  to  a 
paddle,  and,  rising  suddenly  on  his  legs,  he  cast  this  buoy 
away,  and  cried — "  Strike  out,  John  !  let  her  go.  The 
creater's  a  fool  to  tempt  a  man  in  this  way." 

Mohegan  threw  the  fastening  of  the  youth's  boat  from 
the  canoe,  and  with  one  stroke  of  his  paddle  sent  the  light 
bark  over  the  water  like  a  meteor. 


THE  PIONEERS.  275 

"  Hold  !  "  exclaimed  Edwards.  "  Remember  the  law, 
my  old  friends.  You  are  in  plain  sight  of  the  village,  and 
I  know  that  Judge  Temple  is  determined  to  prosecute  all, 
indiscriminately,  who  kill  deer  out  of  season." 

The  remonstrance  came  too  late  ;  the  canoe  was  already 
far  from  the  skiff,  and  the  two  hunters  were  too  much  en- 
gaged in  the  pursuit  to  listen  to  his  voice. 

The  buck  was  now  within  fifty  yards  of  his  pursuers, 
cutting  the  water  gallantly,  and  snorting  at  each  breath 
with  terror  and  his  exertions,  while  the  canoe  seemed  to 
dance  over  the  waves  as  it  rose  and  fell  with  the  undula- 
tions made  by  its  own  motion.  Leather-Stocking  raised 
his  rifle  and  freshened  the  priming,  but  stood  in  suspense 
whether  to  slay  his  victim  or  not. 

"  Shall  I,  John,  or  no  ? "  he  said.  "  It  seems  but  a  poor 
advantage  to  take  of  the  dumb  thing,  too.  I  won't  ;  it 
has  taken  to  the  water  on  its  own  nater,  which  is  the  rea- 
son that  God  has  given  to  a  deer,  and  I'll  give  it  the  lake 
play  ;  so,  John,  lay  out  your  arm,  and  mind  the  turn  of 
the  buck  ;  it's  easy  to  catch  them,  but  they'll  turn  like  a 
snake." 

The  Indian  laughed  at  the  conceit  of  his  friend,  but 
continued  to  send  the  canoe  forward  with  a  velocity  that 
proceeded  much  more  from  his  skill  than  his  strength. 
Both  of  the  old  men  now  used  the  language  of  the  Dela- 
wares  when  they  spoke. 

"  Hugh  !  "  exclaimed  Mohegan  ;  "  the  deer  turns  his 
head.  Hawk-eye,  lift  your  spear." 

Natty  never  moved  abroad  without  taking  with  him 
every  implement  that  might,  by  possibility,  be  of  service 
in  his  pursuits.  From  his  rifle  he  never  parted  ;  and,  al- 
though intending  to  fish  with  the  line,  the  canoe  was  in- 
variably furnished  with  all  of  its  utensils,  even  to  its  grate. 
This  precaution  grew  out  of  the  habits  of  the  hunter,  who 
was  often  led,  by  his  necessities  or  his  sports,  far  beyond 
the  limits  of  his  original  destination.  A  few  years  earlier 
than  the  date  of  our  tale,  the  Leather-Stocking  had  left  his 
hut  on  the  shores  of  the  Otsego,  with  his  rifle  and  his 
hounds,  for  a  few  days'  hunting  in  the  hills  ;  but  before  he 
returned  he  had  seen  the  waters  of  Ontario.  One,  two, 
or  even  three  hundred  miles  had  once  been  nothing  to  his 
sinews,  which  were  now  a  little  stiffened  by  age.  The 
hunter  did  as  Mohegan  advised,  and  prepared  to  strike  a 
blow,  with  the  barbed  weapon,  into  the  neck  of  the  buck. 


276  THE  PIONEERS. 

"Lay  her  more  to  the  left,  John,"  he  cried,  "lay  her 
more  to  the  left ;  another  stroke  of  the  paddle  and  I  have 
him." 

While  speaking  he  raised  the  spear,  and  darted  it  from 
him  like  an  arrow.  At  that  instant  the  buck  turned,  the 
long  pole  glanced  by  him,  the  iron  striking  against  his 
horn,  and  buried  itself  harmlessly,  in  the  lake. 

"  Back  water,"  cried  Natty,  as  the  canoe  glided  over  the 
place  where  the  spear  had  fallen  ;  "hold  water,  John." 

The  pole  soon  reappeared,  shooting  up  from  the  lake, 
and,  as  the  hunter  seized  it  in  his  hand,  the  Indian  whirled 
the  light  canoe  round,  and  renewed  the  chase.  But  this 
evolution  gave  the  buck  a  great  advantage  ;  and  it  also 
allowed  time  for  Edwards  to  approach  the  scene  of  action. 

"  Hold  your  hand,  Natty  !  "  cried  the  youth,  "hold  your 
hand  ;'  remember  it  is  out  of  season." 

This  remonstrance  was  made  as  the  batteau  arrived  close 
to  the  place  where  the  deer  was  struggling  with  the  water, 
his  back  now  rising  to  the  surface,  now  sinking  beneath 
it,  as  the  waves  curled  from  his  neck,  the  animal  still  sus^ 
taining  itself  nobly  against  the  odds. 

"Hurrah!"  shouted  Edwards,  inflamed  beyond  pru- 
dence at  the  sight  ;  "  mind  him  as  he  doubles — mind  him 
as  he  doubles  ;  sheer  more  to  the  right,  Mohegan,  more  to 
the  right,  and  I'll  have  him  by  the  horns  ;  I'll  throw  the 
rope  over  his  antlers." 

The  dark  eye  of  the  old  warrior  was  dancing  in  his  head 
with  a  wild  animation,  and  the  sluggish  repose  in  which 
his  aged  frame  had  been  resting  in  the  canoe  was  now 
changed  to  all  the  rapid  inflections  of  practised  agility. 
The  canoe  whirled  with  each  cunning  evolution  of  the 
chase,  like  a  bubble  floating  in  a  whirlpool  ;  and  when  the 
direction  of  the  pursuit  admitted  of  a  straight  course 
the  little  bark  skimmed  the  lake  with  a  velocity  that  urged 
the  deer  to  seek  its  safety  in  some  new  turn. 

It  was  the  frequency  of  these  circuitous  movements 
that,  by  confining  the  action  to  so  small  a  compass,  en- 
abled the  youth  to  keep  near  his  companions.  More  than 
twenty  times  both  the  pursued  and  the  pursuer  glided  by 
him,  just  without  the  reach  of  his  oars,  until  he  thought 
the  best  way  to  view  the  sport  was  to  remain  stationary, 
and,  by  watching  a  favorable  opportunity,  assist  as  much 
as  he  could  in  taking  the  victim. 

He  was  not  required  to  wait  long,  for  no  sooner  had  h<? 


THE  PIONEERS.  277 

adopted  this  resolution,  and  risen  in  the  boat,  than  he  saw 
the  deer  coming  bravely  toward  him,  with  an  apparent  in- 
tention of  pushing  for  a  point  of  land  at  some  distance 
from  the  hounds,  who  were  still  barking  and  howling  on 
the  shore.  Edwards  caught  the  painter  of  his  skiff,  and, 
making  a  noose,  cast  it  from  him  with  all  his  force,  and 
luckily  succeeded  in  drawing  its  knot  close  around  one  of 
the  antlers  of  the  buck. 

For  one  instant  the  skiff  was  drawn  through  the  water, 
but  in  the  next  the  canoe  glided  before  it,  and  Natty, 
bending  low,  passed  his  knife  across  the  throat  of  the  ani- 
mal, whose  blood  followed  the  wound,  dyeing  the  waters. 
The  short  time  that  was  passed  in  the  last  struggles  of  the 
animal  was  spent  by  the  hunters  in  bringing  their  boats 
together  and  securing  them  in  that  position,  when  Leather- 
Stocking  drew  the  deer  from  the  water  and  laid  its  lifeless 
form  in  the  bottom  of  the  canoe.  He  placed  his  hands  on 
the  ribs,  and  on  different  parts  of  the  body  of  his  prize,  and 
then,  raising  his  head,  he  laughed  in  his  peculiar  manner. 

"  So  much  for  Marmaduke  Temple's  law  !  "  he  said. 
"  This  warms  a  body's  blood,  old  John  ;  I  haven't  killed  a 
buck  in  the  lake  afore  this,  sin'  many  a  year.  I  call  that 
good  venison,  lad  ;  and  I  know  them  that  will  relish  the 
creatur's  steaks  for  all  the  betterments  in  the  land." 

The  Indian  had  long  been  drooping  with  his  years,  and 
perhaps  under  the  calamities  of  his  race,  but  this  invigorat- 
ing and  exciting  sport  caused  a  gleam  of  sunshine  to  cross 
his  swarthy  face  that  had  long  been  absent  from  his  feat- 
ures. It  was  evident  the  old  man  enjoyed  the  chase  more 
as  a  memorial  of  his  youthful  sports  and  deeds  than  with 
any  expectation  of  profiting  by  the  success.  He  felt  the 
deer,  however,  lightly,  his  hand  already  trembling  with  the 
reaction  of  his  unusual  exertions,  and  smiled  with  a  nod 
of  approbation,  as  he  said,  in  the  emphatic  and  sententious 
manner  of  his  people  : 

"Good" 

"I  am  afraid,  Natty,"  said  Edwards,  when  the  heat  of 
the  moment  had  passed,  and  his  blood  began  to  cool,  "  that 
we  have  all  been  equally  transgressors  of  the  law.  But 
keep  your  own  counsel,  and  there  are  none  here  to  betray 
us.  Yet,  how  came  those  dogs  at  large  ?  I  left  them  se- 
curely fastened,  I  know,  for  I  felt  the  thongs  and  exam- 
ined the  knots  when  I  was  at  the  hut." 

"  It  has  been  too  much  for  the  poor  things,"  said  Natty 


278  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  to  have  such  a  buck  take  the  wind  of  them.  See,  lad' 
the  pieces  of  the  buckskin  are  hanging  from  their  necks 
yet.  Let  us  paddle  up,  John,  and  I  will  call  them  in  and 
look  a  little  into  the  matter." 

When  the  old  hunter  landed  and  examined  the  thongs 
that  were  yet  fast  to  the  hounds,  his  countenance  sensibly 
changed,  and  he  shook  his  head  doubtingly. 

"  Here  has  been  a  knife  at  work,"  he  said  ;  "tjiis  skin 
was  never  torn,  nor  is  this  the  mark  of  a  hound's  tooth. 
No,  no — Hector  is  not  in  fault,  as  I  feared." 

"  Has  the  leather  been  cut  ? "  cried  Edwards. 

"No,  no — I  didn't  say  it  had  been  cut,  lad  ;  but  this  is 
a  mark  that  was  never  made  by  a  jump  or  a  bite." 

"  Could  that  rascally  carpenter  have  dared  !  " 

"  Ay  !  he  durst  do  anything  when  there  is  no  danger," 
said  Natty  ;  "  he  is  a  curious  body,  and  loves  to  be  help- 
ing other  people  on  with  their  consarns.  But  he  had  best 
not  harbor  so  much  near  the  wigwam  !  " 

In  the  meantime,  Mohegan  had  been  examining,  with 
an  Indian's  sagacity,  the  place  where  the  leather  thong  had 
been  separated.  After  scrutinizing  it  closely,  he  said,  in 
Delaware  : 

"  It  was  cut  with  a  knife — a  sharp  blade  and  a  long  han- 
dle— the  man  was  afraid  of  the  dogs." 

"  How  is  this,  Mohegan?"  exclaimed  Edwards;  "  you 
saw  it  not  \  how  can  you  know  these  facts  ? " 

"  Listen,  son,"  said  the  warrior.  "  The  knife  was  sharp, 
for  the  cut  was  smooth  ;  the  handle  was  long,  for  a  man's 
arm  would  not  reach  from  this  gash  to  the  cut  that  did  not 
go  through  the  skin  ;  he  was  a  coward,  or  he  would  have 
cut  the  thongs  around  the  necks  of  the  hounds." 

"  On  my  life,"  cried  Natty,  "  John  is  on  the  scent !  It 
was  the  carpenter  ;  and  he  has  got  on  the  rock  back  of 
the  kennel  and  let  the  dogs  loose  by  fastening  his  knife 
to  a  stick.  It  would  be  an  easy  matter  to  do  it  where  a 
man  is  so  minded." 

"And  why  should  he  do  so?  "asked  Edwards;  "who 
lias  done  him  wrong,  that  he  should  trouble  two  old  men 
like  you  ? " 

"  It's  a  hard  matter,  lad,  to  know  men's  ways,  I  find,  since 
the  settlers  have  brought  in  their  new  fashions.  But  is 
there  nothing  to  be  found  out  in  the  place  ?  and  maybe  he 
is  troubled  with  his  longings  after  other  people's  business, 
as  he  often  is." 


THE  PIONEERS,  271 

"Your  suspicions  are  just.  Give  me  the  canoe  ;  I  am 
young  and  strong,  and  will  get  down  there  yet,  perhaps, 
in  time  to  interrupt  his  plans.  Heaven  forbid  that  we 
should  be  at  the  mercy  of  such  a  man  !  " 

His  proposal  was  accepted,  the  deer  being  placed  in  the 
skiff  in  order  to  lighten  the  canoe,  and  in  less  than  five 
minutes  the  little  vessel  of  bark  was  gliding  over  the  glassy 
lake,  and  was  soon  hid  by  the  points  of  land  as  it  shot 
close  along  the  shore. 

Mohegan  followed  slowly  with  the  skiff,  while  Natty 
called  his  hounds  to  him,  bade  them  keep  close,  and, 
shouldering  his  rifle,  he  ascended  the  mountain,  with  an 
intention  of  going  to  the  hut  by  land. 


CHAPTER   XXVIII. 

"  Ask  me  not  what  the  maiden  feels, 
Left  in  that  dreadful  hour  alone  ; 
Perchance,  her  reason  stoops,  or  reels  ; 
Perchance,  a  courage  not  her  own, 
Braces  her  mind  to  desperate  tone." — SCOTT. 

WHILE  the  chase  was  occurring  on  the  lake,  Miss  Temple 
and  her  companion  pursued  their  walk  on  the  mountain. 
Male  attendants  on  such  excursions  were  thought  to  be 
altogether  unnecessary,  for  none  were  ever  known  to  offer 
insult  to  a  female  who  respected  herself.  After  the  em- 
barrassment created  by  the  parting  discourse  with  Edwards 
had  dissipated,  the  girls  maintained  a  conversation  that 
was  as  innocent  and  cheerful  as  themselves. 

The  path  they  took  led  them  but  a  short  distance  above 
the  hut  of  Leather-Stocking,  and  there  was  a  point  in  the 
road  which  commanded  a  bird's-eye  view  of  the  seques- 
tered spot. 

From  a  feeling  that  might  have  been  natural,  and  must 
have  been  powerful,  neither  of  the  friends,  in  their  fre- 
quent and  confidential  dialogues,  had  ever  trusted  herself 
to  utter  one  syllable  concerning  the  equivocal  situation 
in  which  the  young  man  who  was  now  so  intimately  asso- 
ciated with  them  had  been  found.  If  Judge  Temple  had 
deemed  it  prudent  to  make  any  inquiries  on  the  subject, 
he  had  also  thought  it  proper  to  keep  the  answers  to  him- 
self ;  though  it  was  so  common  an  occurrence  to  find  the 


280  THE  PIONEERS. 

well-educated  youth  of  the  Eastern  States  in  every  stage 
of  their  career  to  wealth,  that  the  simple  circumstance  of 
his  intelligence,  connected  with  his  poverty,  would  not,  at 
that  day  and  in  that  country,  have  excited  any  very  pow- 
erful curiosity.  With  his  breeding,  it  might  have  been 
different  ;  but  the  youth  himself  had  so  effectually  guarded 
against  surprise  on  this  subject,  by  his  cold  and  even,  in 
some  cases,  rude  deportment,  that  when  his  manners 
seemed  to  soften  by  time,  the  Judge,  if  he  thought  about 
it  at  all,  would  have  been  most  likely  to  imagine  that  the 
improvement  was  the  result  of  his  late  association.  But 
women  are  always  more  alive  to  such  subjects  than  men  ; 
and  what  the  abstraction  of  the  father  had  overlooked, 
the  observation  of  the  daughter  had  easily  detected.  In 
the  thousand  little  courtesies  of  polished  life  she  had 
early  discovered  that  Edwards  was  not  wanting,  though 
his  gentleness  was  so  often  crossed  by  marks  of  what  she 
conceived  to  be  fierce  and  uncontrollable  passions.  It 
may,  perhaps,  be  unnecessary  to  tell  the  reader  that  Louisa 
Grant  never  reasoned  so  much  after  the  fashions  of  the 
world.  The  gentle  girl,  however,  had  her  own  thoughts  on 
the  subject,  and,  like  others,  she  drew  her  own  conclusions. 

"  I  would  give  all  my  other  secrets,  Louisa,"  exclaimed 
Miss  Temple,  laughing,  and  shaking  back  her  dark  locks, 
with  a  look  of  childish  simplicity  that  her  intelligent  face 
seldom  expressed,  "  to  be  mistress  of  all  that  those  rude 
logs  have  heard  and  witnessed." 

They  were  both  looking  at  the  secluded  hut  at  the  instant, 
and  Miss  Grant  raised  her  mild  eyes  as  she  answered  : 

"  I  am  sure  they  would  tell  nothing  to  the  disadvantage 
of  Mr.  Edwards." 

"  Perhaps  not  ;  but  they  might,  at  least,  tell  who  he  is." 

"  Why,  dear  Miss  Temple,  we  know  all  that  already. 
I  have  heard  it  all  very  rationally  explained  by  your 
cousin — 

"  The  executive  chief  !  he  can  explain  anything.  His 
ingenuity  will  one  day  discover  the  philosopher's  stone 
But  what  did  he  say  ?  " 

"  Say  !  "  echoed  Louisa,  with  a  look  of  surprise  ;  "why 
everything  that  seemed  to  me  to  be  satisfactory,  and  I  have 
believed  it  to  be  true.  He  said  that  Natty  Bumppo  had 
lived  most  of  his  life  in  the  woods  and  among  the  Indians, 
by  which  means  he  had  formed  an  acquaintance  with  old 
John,  the  Delaware  chief." 


THE  PIONEERS.  281 

"  Indeed  !  that  was  quite  a  matter-of-fact  tale  for  cousin 
Dickon.  What  came  next  ?  " 

"  I  believe  he  accounted  for  their  close  intimacy  by  some 
story  about  the  Leather-Stocking  saving  the  life  of  John 
in  a  battle." 

"  Nothing  more  likely,"  said  Elizabeth,  a  little  impatient- 
ly ;  "but  what  is  all  this  to  the  purpose  ?" 

"  Nay,  Elizabeth,  you  must  bear  with  my  ignorance,  and 
I  will  repeat  all  that  I  remember  to  have  overheard  ;  for 
the  dialogue  was  between  my  father  and  the  sheriff,  so 
lately  as  the  last  time  they  met.  He  then  added  that  the 
kings  of  England  used  to  keep  gentlemen  as  agents  among 
the  different  tribes  of  Indians,  and  sometimes  officers  in 
the  army,  who  frequently  passed  half  their  lives  on  the 
edge  of  the  wilderness." 

"  Told  with  wonderful  historical  accuracy  !  And  did  he 
end  there  ? " 

"  Oh  !  no — then  he  said  that  these  agents  seldom  mar- 
ried ;  and — and — they  must  have  been  wicked  men,  Eliza- 
beth !  but  I  assure  you  he  said  so." 

"Never  mind,"  said  Miss  Temple,  blushing  and  smiling, 
though  so  slightly  that  both  were  unheeded  by  her  com- 
panion ;  "  skip  all  that." 

"  Well,  then,  he  said  that  they  often  took  great  pride  in 
the  education  of  their  children,  whom  they  frequently  sent 
to  England,  and  even  to  the  colleges  ;  and  this  is  the  way 
that  he  accounts  for  the  liberal  manner  in  which  Mr.  Ed- 
wards has  been  taught  ;  for  he  acknowledges  that  he  knows 
almost  as  much  as  your  father — or  mine — or  even  him- 
self." 

"  Quite  a  climax  in  learning  !  And  so  he  made  Mohe- 
gan  the  granduncle  or  grandfather  of  Oliver  Edwards." 

"  You  have  heard  him  yourself,  then  ?"  said  Louisa. 

"  Often  ;  but  not  on  this  subject.  Mr.  Richard  Jones, 
you  know,  dear,  has  a  theory  for  everything  ;  but  has  he 
one  which  will  explain  the  reason  why  that  hut  is  the  only 
habitation  within  fifty  miles  of  us  whose  door  is  not  open 
to  every  person  who  may  choose  to  lift  its  latch  ?  " 

"  I  have  never  heard  him  say  anything  on  this  subject," 
returned  the  clergyman's  daughter;  "but  I  suppose  that, 
as  they  are  poor,  they  very  naturally  are  anxious  to  keep 
the  little  that  they  honestly  own.  It  is  sometimes  danger- 
ous to  be  rich,  Miss  Temple  ;  but  you  cannot  know  how 
hard  it  is  to  be  very,  very  poor." 


282  THE  PIONEERS. 

11  Nor  you,  I  trust,  Louisa  ;  at  least  I  should  hope  that, 
in  this  land  of  abundance,  no  minister  of  the  church  could 
be  left  in  absolute  suffering." 

"  There  cannot  be  actual  misery,"  returned  the  other, 
in  a  low  and  humble  tone,  "where  there  is  a  dependence 
on  our  Maker  ;  but  there  may  be  such  suffering  as  will 
cause  the  heart  to  ache." 

"  But  not  you — not  you  " — said  the  impetuous  Elizabeth 
— "  not  you,  dear  girl  :  you  have  never  known  the  misery 
that  is  connected  with  poverty." 

"Ah!  Miss  Temple,  you  little  understand  the  troubles 
of  this  life,  I  believe.  My  father  has  spent  many  years  as 
a  missionary  in  the  new  countries,  where  his  people  were 
poor,  and  frequently  we  have  been  without  bread  ;  unable 
to  buy,  and  ashamed  to  beg,  because  we  would  not  dis- 
grace his  sacred  calling.  But  how  often  have  I  seen  him 
leave  his  home,  where  the  sick  and  the  hungry  felt,  when 
he  left  them,  that  they  had  lost  their  only  earthly  friend, 
to  ride  on  a  duty  which  could  not  be  neglected  for  do- 
mestic evils.  Oh  !  how  hard  it  must  be  to  preach  con- 
solation to  others  when  your  own  heart  is  bursting  with 
anguish  !" 

"  But  it  is  all  over  now !  your  father's  income  must  now 
be  equal  to  his  wants — it  must  be — it  shall  be— 

"  It  is,"  replied  Louisa,  dropping  her  head  on  her  bosom, 
to  conceal  the  tears  which  flowed  in  spite  of  her  gentle 
Christianity — "for  there  are  none  left  to  be  supplied  but 
me." 

The  turn  the  conversation  had  taken  drove  from  the 
minds  of  the  young  maidens  all  other  thoughts  but  those 
of  holy  charity  ;  and  Elizabeth  folded  her  friend  in  her 
arms,  when  the  latter  gave  vent  to  her  momentary  grief  in 
audible  sobs.  When  this  burst  of  emotion  had  subsided, 
Louisa  raised  her  mild  countenance,  and  they  continued 
their  walk  in  silence. 

By  this  time  they  had  gained  the  summit  of  the  moun- 
tain, where  they  left  the  highway,  and  pursued  their  course 
under  the  shade  of  the  stately  trees  that  crowned  the  emi- 
nence. The  day  was  becoming  warm,  and  the  girls  plunged 
more  deeply  into  the  forest,  as  they  found  its  invigorating 
coolness  agreeably  contrasted  to  the  excessive  heat  they 
had  experienced  in  the  ascent.  The  conversation,  as  if 
by  mutual  consent,  was  entirely  changed  to  the  little  in- 
cidents and  scenes  of  their  walk,  and  every  tall  pine,  and 


THE  PIONEERS.  283 

every  shrub  or  flower,  called  forth  some  simple  expression 
of  admiration. 

In  this  manner  they  proceeded  along  the  margin  of  the 
precipice,  catching  occasional  glimpses  of  the  placid 
Otsego,  or  pausing  to  listen  to  the  rattling  of  wheels  and 
the  sounds  of  hammers  that  rose  from  the  valley,  to  min- 
gle the  signs  of  men  with  the  scenes  of  nature,  when  Eliz- 
abeth suddenly  started,  and  exclaimed  :  . 

"  Listen  !  there  are  the  cries  of  a  child  on  this  mountain  ! 
Is  there  a  clearing  near  us,  or  can  some  little  one  have 
strayed  from  its  parents  ?" 

"Such  things  frequently  happen,"  returned  Louisa. 
"  Let  us  follow  the  sounds  ;  it  may  be  a  wanderer  starving 
on  the  hill." 

Urged  by  this  consideration,  the  females  pursued  the 
low,  mournful  sounds,  that  proceeded  from  the  forest, 
with  quick  and  impatient  steps.  More  than  once,  the 
ardent  Elizabeth  was  on  the  point  of  announcing  that  she 
saw  the  sufferer,  when  Louisa  caught  her  by  the  arm,  and 
pointing  behind  them,  cried  ! 

"Look  at  the  dog!"* 

Brave  had  been  their  companion,  from  the  time  the 
voice  of  his  young  mistress  lured  him  from  his  kennel,  to 
the  present  moment.  His  advanced  age  had  long  before 
deprived  him  of  his  activity ;  and  when  his  companions 
stopped  to  view  the  scenery,  or  to  add  to  their  bouquets, 
the  mastiff  -would  lay  his  huge  frame  on  the  ground  and 
await  their  movements,  with  his  eyes  closed,  and  a  listless- 
ness  in  his  air  that  ill  accorded  with  the  character  of  a 
protector.  But  when,  aroused  by  this  cry  from  Louisa, 
Miss  Temple  turned,  she  saw  the  dog  with  his  eyes  keenly 
set  on  some  distant  object,  his  head  bent  near  the  ground, 
and  his  hair  actually  rising  on  his  body,  through  fright  or 
anger.  It  was  most  probably  the  latter,  for  he  was  growl- 
ing in  a  low  key,  and  occasionally  showing  his  teeth,  in  a 
manner  that  would  have  terrified  his  mistress,  had  she  not 
so  well  known  his  good  qualities. 

"  Brave  !  "  she  said,  "be  quiet,  Brave  !  what  do, you  see, 
fellow  ? " 

At  the  sounds  of  her  voice,  the  rage  of  the  mastiff,  in- 
stead of  being-  at  all  diminished,  was  very  sensibly  in- 
creased. He  stalked  in  front  of  the  ladies,  and  seated  him- 
self at  the  feet  of  his  mistress,  growling  louder  than  before, 


284  THE  PIONEERS. 

and  occasionally  giving  vent  to  his  ire  by  a  short,  surly 
barking. 

"What  does  he  see?"  said  Elizabeth;  "there  must  be 
some  animal  in  sight." 

Hearing  no  answer  from  her  companion,  Miss  Temple 
turned  her  head,  and  beheld  Louisa,  standing  with  her 
face  wrhitened  to  the  color  of  death,  and  her  finger  point- 
ing upward,  with  a  sort  of  flickering,  convulsed  motion. 
The  quick  eye  of  Elizabeth  glanced  in  the  direction  indi- 
cated by  her  friend,  where  she  saw  the  fierce  front  and 
glaring  eyes  of  a  female  panther,  fixed  on  them  in  horrid 
malignity,  and  threatening  to  leap. 

"Let  us  fly,"  exclaimed  Elizabeth,  grasping  the  arm  of 
Louisa,  whose  form  yielded  like  melting  snow. 

There  was  not  a  single  feeling  in  the  temperament  of 
Elizabeth  Temple  that  could  prompt  her  to  desert  a  com- 
panion in  such  an  extremity.  She  fell  on  her  knees,  by 
the  side  of  the  inanimate  Louisa,  tearing  from  the  person 
of  her  friend,  with  instinctive  readiness,  such  parts  of  her 
dress  as  might  obstruct  her  respiration,  and  encouraging 
their  only  safeguard,  the  dog,  at* the  same  time,  by  the 
sounds  of  her  voice. 

"Courage,  Brave  !"  she  cried,  her  own  tones  beginning 
to  tremble,  "  courage,  courage,  good  Brave  !  " 

A  quarter-grown  cub,  that  had  hitherto  been  unseen, 
now  appeared,  dropping  from  the  branches  of  a  sapling 
that  grew  under  the  shade  of  the  beech  which  held  its 
dam.  This  ignorant,  but  vicious  creature,  approached 
the  dog,  imitating  the  actions  and  sounds  of  its  parent, 
but  exhibiting  a  strange  mixture  of  the  playfulness  of  a 
kitten  with  the  ferocity  of  its  race.  Standing  on  its  hind- 
legs,  it  would  rend  the  bark  of  a  tree  with  its  fore-paws, 
and  play  the  antics  of  a  cat ;  and  then,  by  lashing  itself 
with  its  tail,  growling,  and  scratching  the  earth,  it  would 
attempt  the  manifestations  of  anger  that  rendered  its  par- 
ent so  terrific. 

All  this  time  Brave  stood  firm  and  undaunted,  his  short 
tail  erect,  his  body  drawn  backward  on  its  haunches,  and 
his  eyes  following  the  movements  of  both  dam  and  cub. 
At  every  gambol  played  by  the  latter,  it  approached  nigher 
to  the  dog,  the  growling  of  the  three  becoming  more  horrid 
at  each  moment,  until  the  younger  beast,  overleaping  its 
intended  bound,  fell  directly  before  the  mastiff.  There 
was  a  moment  of  fearful  cries  and  struggles,  but  they 


THE  PIONEERS.  285 

ended  almost  as  soon  as  commenced,  by  the  cub  appear- 
ing in  the  air,  hurled  from  the  jaws  of  Brave,  with  a  vio- 
lence that  sent  it  against  a  tree  so  forcibly  as  to  render  it 
completely  senseles.5. 

Elizabeth  witnessed  the  short  struggle,  and  her  blood 
was  warming  with  the  triumph  of  the  dog,  when  she  saw 
the  form  of  the  old  panther  in  the  air,  springing  twenty 
feet  from  the  branch  of  the  beech  to  the  back  of  the  mas- 
tiff. No  words  of  ours  can  describe  the  fury  of  the  con- 
flict that  followed.  It  was  a  confused  struggle  on  the  dry 
leaves,  accompanied  by  loud  and  terrific  cries.  Miss  Tem- 
ple continued  on  her  knees,  bending  over  the  form  of 
Louisa,  her  eyes  fixed  on  the  animals,  with  an  interest  so 
horrid,  and  yet  so  intense,  that  she  almost  forgot  her  own 
stake  in  the  result.  So  rapid  and  vigorous  were  the 
bounds  of  the  inhabitant  of  the  forest,  that  its  active  frame 
seemed  constantly  in  the  air,  while  the  dog  nobly  faced 
his  foe  at  each  successive  leap.  When  the  panther  lighted 
on  the  shoulders  of  the  mastiif,  which  was  its  constant 
aim,  old  Brave,  though  torn  with  her  talons,  and  stained 
with  his  own  blood,  that  already  flowed  from  a  dozen 
wounds,  would  shake  off  his  furious  foe  like  a  feather, 
and  rearing  on  his  hind-legs,  rush  to  the  fray  again,  with 
jaws  distended,  and  a  dauntless  eye.  But  age,  and  his 
pampered  life,  greatly  disqualified  the  noble  mastiff  for 
such  a  struggle.  In  everything  but  courage,  he  was  only 
the  vestige  of  what  he  had  once  been.  A  higher  bound 
than  ever  raised  the  wary  and  furious  beast  far  beyond  the 
reach  of  the  dog,  who  was  making  a  desperate  but  fruitless 
dash  at  her,  from  which  she  alighted  in  a  favorable  po- 
sition, on  the  back  of  her  aged  foe.  For  a  single  moment 
only  could  the  panther  remain  there,  the  great  strength  of 
the  dog  returning  with  a  convulsive  effort.  But  Elizabeth 
saw,  as  Brave  fastened  his  teeth  in  the  side  of  his  enemy, 
that  the  collar  of  brass  around  his  neck,  which  had  been 
glittering  throughout  the  fray,  was  of  the  color  of  blood, 
and  directly,  that  his  frame  was  sinking  to  the  earth,  where 
it  soon  lay  prostrate  and  helpless.  Several  mighty  efforts 
of  the  wild-cat  to  extricate  herself  from  the  jaws  of  the 
dog  followed,  but  they  were  fruitless,  until  the  mastiff 
turned  on  his  back,  his  lips  collapsed,  and  his  teeth  loos- 
ened, when  the  short  convulsions  and  stillness  that  suc^ 
ceeded  announced  the  death  of  poor  Brave. 

Elizabeth  now  lay  wholly  at  the   mercy  of  the  beast 


286  THE  PIONEERS. 

There  is  said  to  be  something  in  the  front  of  the  image 
of  the  Maker  that  daunts  the  hearts  of  the  inferior  beings 
of  his  creation  ;  and  it  would  seem  that  some  such  power, 
in  the  present  instance,  suspended  the  threatened  blow. 
The  eyes  of  the  monster  and  the  kneeling  maiden  met  for 
an  instant,  when  the  former  stooped  to  examine  her  fallen 
foe  ;  next,  to  scent  her  luckless  cub.  From  the  latter  ex- 
amination it  turned,  however,  with  its  eyes  apparently 
emitting  flashes  of  fire,  its  tail  lashing  its  sides  furiously, 
and  its  claws  projecting  inches  from  her  broad  feet. 

Miss  Temple  did  not  or  could  not  move.  Her  hands 
were  clasped  in  the  attitude  of  prayer,  but  her  eyes  were 
still  drawn  to  her  terrible  enemy — her  cheeks  were 
blanched  to  the  wThiteness  of  marble,  and  her  lips  were 
slightlf  separated  with  horror. 

The  moment  see'med  now  to  have  arrived  for  the  fatal 
termination,  and  the  beautiful  figure  of  Elizabeth  was 
bowing  meekly  to  the  stroke,  when  a  rustling  of  leaves 
behind  seemed  rather  to  mock  the  organs  than  to  meet 
her  ears. 

"  Hist  !  hist !  "  said  a  low  voice,  "  stoop  lower,  gal  ;  your 
bonnet  hides  the  creature's  head." 

It  was  rather  the  yielding  of  nature  than  a  compliance 
with  this  unexpected  order,  that  caused  the  head  of  our 
heroine  to  sink  on  her  bosom  ;  when  she  heard  the  report 
of  the  rifle,  the  whizzing  of  the  bullet,  and  the  enraged 
cries  of  the  beast,  who  was  rolling  over  on  the  earth,  bit- 
ing its  own  flesh,  and  tearing  the  twigs  and  branches  within 
its  reach.  At  the  next  instant  the  form  of  the  Leather- 
Stocking  rushed  by  her,  and  he  called  aloud  : 

"  Come  in,  Hector,  come  in,  old  fool  ;  'tis  a  hcird-lived 
animal,  and  may  jump  ag'in." 

Natty  fearlessly  maintained  his  position  in  front  of  the 
females,  notwithstanding  the  violent  bounds  and  threaten- 
ing aspect  of  the  wounded  panther,  which  gave  several 
indications  of  returning  strength  and  ferocity,  until  his 
rifle  was  again  loaded,  when  he  stepped  up  to  the  enraged 
animal,  and,  placing  the  muzzle  close  to  its  head,  every 
spark  of  life  was  extinguished  by  the  discharge. 

The  death  of  her  terrible  enemy  appeared  to  Elizabeth 
like  a  resurrection  from  her  own  grave.  There  was  an 
elasticity  in  the  mind  of  our  heroine  that  rose  to  meet  the 
pressure  of  instant  danger,  and  the  more  direct  it  had  been, 
the  more  her  nature  had  struggled  to  overcome  them, 


THE  PIONEERS.  287 

But  still  she  was  a  woman.  Had  she  been  left  to  herself 
in  her  late  extremity,  she  would  probably  have  used  her 
faculties  to  the  utmost,  and  with  discretion,  in  protecting 
her  person  ;  but,  encumbered  with  her  inanimate  friend, 
retreat  was  a  thing  not  to  be  attempted.  Notwithstanding 
the  fearful  aspect  of  her  foe,  the  eye  of  Elizabeth  had 
never  shrunk  from  its  gaze,  and  long  after  the  event  her 
thoughts  would  recur  to  her  passing  sensations,  and  the 
sweetness  of  her  midnight  sleep  would  be  disturbed,  as 
her  active  fancy  conjured,  in  dreams,  the  most  trifling 
movements  of  savage  fury  that  the  beast  had  exhibited  in 
its  moment  of  power. 

We  shall  leave  the  reader  to  imagine  the  restoration  of 
Louisa's  senses,  and  the  expressions  of  gratitude  which  fell 
from  the  young  women.  The  former  was  effected  by  a 
little  water,  that  was  brought  from  one  of  the  thousand 
springs  of  those  mountains,  in  the  cap  of  the  Leather-Stock- 
ing ;  and  the  latter  were  uttered  with  the  warmth  that 
might  be  expected  from  the  character  of  Elizabeth.  Natty 
received  her  vehement  protestations  of  gratitude  with  a 
simple  expression  of  good-will,  and  with  indulgence  for 
her  present  excitement,  but  with  a  carelessness  that  showed 
how  little  he  thought  of  the  service  he  had  rendered. 

"Well,  well,"  he  said,  "be  it  so,  gal ;  let  it  be  so,  if  you 
wish  it — we'll  talk  the  thing  over  another  time.  Come, 
come — let  us  get  into  the  road,  for  you've  had  terror 
enough  to  make  you  wish  yourself  in. your  father's  house 
ag'in." 

This  was  uttered  as  they  were  proceeding,  at  a  pace  that 
was  adapted  to  the  weakness  of  Louisa,  toward  the  high- 
way ;  on  reaching  which  the  ladies  separated  from  their 
guide,  declaring  themselves  equal  to  the  remainder  of  the 
walk  without  his  assistance,  and  feeling  encouraged  by  the 
sight  of  the  village  which  lay  beneath  their  feet  like  a 
picture,  with  its  limpid  lake  in  front,  the  winding  stream 
along  its  margin,  and  its  hundred  chimneys  of  whitened 
bricks. 

The  reader  need  not  be  told  the  nature  of  the  emo- 
tions which  two  youthful,  ingenuous,  and  well-educated 
girls  \vould  experience  at  their  escape  from  a  death  so 
horrid  as  the  one  which  had  impended  over  them,  while 
they  pursued  their  way  in  silence  along  the  track  on  the 
side  of  the  mountain  ;  nor  how  deep  were  their  mental 
thanks  to  that  Power  which  had  given  them  their  exist- 


288  THE  PIONEERS. 

ence,  and  which  had  not  deserted  them  in  their  extremity, 
neither  how  often  they  pressed  each  other's  arms,  as  the 
assurance  of  their  present  safety  came,  like  a  healing  balm, 
athwart  their  troubled  spirits,  when  their  thoughts  were 
recurring  to  the  recent  moments  of  horror. 

Leather-Stocking  remained  on  the  hill,  gazing  after 
their  retiring  figures,  until  they  were  hidden  by  abend  in 
the  road,  when  he  whistled  in  his  dogs,  and  shouldering 
his  rifle,  he  returned  into  the  forest. 

"Well,  it  was  a  skeary  thing  to  the  young  creaters," 
said  Natty,  while  he  retrod  the  path  toward  the  plain. 
"It  might  frighten  an  older  woman,  to  see  a  she-painter 
so  near  her,  with  a  dead  cub  by  its  side.  I  wonder  if  I 
had  aimed  at  the  varmint's  eye,  if  I  shouldn't  have  touched 
the  life  sooner  than  in  the  forehead  ;  but  they  are  hard- 
lived  animals,  and  it  was  a  good  shot,  consid'ring  that  I 
could  see  nothing  but  the  head  and  the  peak  of  its  tail. 
Hah  !  who  goes  there  ?  " 

"  How  goes  it,  Natty  ?  "  said  Mr.  Doolittle,  stepping  out 
of  the  bushes,  with  a  motion  that  was  a  good  deal  acceler- 
ated by  the  sight  of  the  rifle,  that  was  already  lowered  in 
his  direction.  "  What !  shooting  this  warm  day  !  mind,  old 
man,  the  law  don't  get  hold  on  you." 

"  The  law,  squire  !  I  have  shook  hands  with  the  law  these 
forty  year,"  returned  Natty  ;  "  for  what  has  a  man  who  lives 
in  the  wilderness  to  do  with  the  ways  of  the  law  ? " 

"Not  much,  may  be,"  said  Hiram  ;  "  but  you  sometimes 
trade  in  venison.  I  s'pose  you  know,  Leather-Stocking, 
that  there  is  an  act  passed  to  lay  a  fine  of  five  pounds  cur- 
cency,  or  twelve  dollars  and  fifty  cents,  by  decimals,  on 
every  man  who  kills  a  deer  betwixt  January  and  August. 
The  Judge  had  a  great  hand  in  getting  the  law  through." 

"  I  can  believe  it,  returned  the  old  hunter  ;  "  I  can  be- 
lieve that  or  anything,  of  a  man  who  carries  on  as  he  does 
in  the  country." 

"  Yes,  the  law  is  quite  positive,  and  the  Judge  is  bent  on 
putting  it  in  force — five  pounds  penalty.  I  thought  I 
heard  your  hounds  out  on  the  scent  of  so'thing  this  morn- 
ing ;  I  didn't  know  but  they  might  get  you  in  difficulty." 

"  They  know  their  manners  too  well,"  said  Natty,  care- 
lessly. "  And  how  much  goes  to  the  State's  evidence, 
squire  ? " 

"How  much?"  repeated  Hiram,  quailing  under  the 
honest  but  sharp  look  of  the  hunter  ;  "the  informer  gets 


THE  PIONEERS.  289 

half,  I — I  believe— yes,  I  guess  it's  half.  But  there's  blood 
on  your  sleeve,  man — you  haven't  been  shooting  anything 
this  morning?" 

"  I  have,  though,"  said  the  hunter,  nodding  his  head  sig- 
nificantly to  the  other,  "  and  a  good  shot  I  made  of  it." 

"H-e-m!"  ejaculated  the  magistrate;  ''and  where  is 
the  game  ?  I  s'pose  it's  of  a  good  nater,  for  your  dogs 
won't  hunt  anything  that  isn't  choice." 

"  They'll  hunt  anything  I  tell  them  to,  squire,"  cried 
Natty,  favoring  the  other  with  his  laugh.  "  They'll  hunt 
you,  if  I  say  so.  He-e-e-re,  he-e-e-re,  Hector — he-e-e-re, 
slut — come  this  a-way,  pups — come  this  a-way — come 
hither." 

"  Oh  !  I  have  always  heard  a  good  character  of  the  dogs," 
returned  Mr.  Doolittle,  quickening  his  pace  by  raising  each 
leg  in  rapid  succession,  as  the  hounds  scented  around  his 
person.  "  And  where  is  the  game,  Leather-Stocking?" 

During  this  dialogue,  the  speakers  had  been  walking  at 
a  very  fast  gait,  and  Natty  swung  the  end  of  his  rifle  round 
pointing  through  the  bushes,  and  replied  : 

"  There  lies  one.     How  do  you  like  such  meat  ?" 

"  This  !"  exclaimed  Hiram  ;  "  why,  this  is  Judge  Tem- 
ple's dog  Brave.  Take  care,  Leather-Stocking,  and  don't 
make  an  enemy  of  the  Judge.  I  hope  you  haven't  harmed 
the  animal  ? " 

"  Look  for  yourself,  Mr.  Doolittle,"  said  Natty,  drawing 
his  knife  from  his  girdle,  and  wiping  it  in  a  knowing  man- 
ner, once  or  twice  across  his  garment  of  buck-skin  ;  "  does 
his  throat  look  as  if  I  had  cut  it  with  this  knife  ?" 

"  It  is  dreadfully  torn  !  it's  an  awful  wound — no  knife 
ever  did  this  deed.  Who  could  have  done  it  ? " 

"  The  painters  behind  you,  squire." 

"  Painters  ! "  echoed  Hiram,  whirling  on  his  heel  with 
an  agility  that  would  have  done  credit  to  a  dancing-master. 

"  Be  easy,  man,"  said  Natty  ;  "  there's  two  of  the  veno- 
mous things  ;  but  the  dog  finished  one,  and  I  have  fastened 
the  other's  jaws  for  her ;  so  don't  be  frightened,  squire  ; 
they  won't  hurt  you." 

"  And  where's  the  deer?  "cried  Hiram,  staring  about 
him  with  a  bewildered  air. 

"  Anan  !  deer  ! "  repeated  Natty. 

"  Sartain ;  an't  the  revenison  here,  or  didn't  you  kill  a 
buck?" 

"  What !  when  the  law  forbids  the  thing,  squire  !"  said 

'9 


290  THE  PIONEERS. 

the  old  banter.  "  I  hope  there's  no  law  ag'in  killing  the 
painters." 

"  No  !  there's  a  bounty  on  the  scalps — but — will  your 
dogs  hunt  painters,  Natty?" 

"  Anything  ;  didn't  I  tell  you  they  would  hunt  a  man  ? 
He-e-re,  he-e-re,  pups " 

"  Yes,  yes,  I  remember.  Well,  they  are  strange  dogs,  I 
must  say — I  am  quite  in  a  wonderment." 

Natty  had  seated  himself  on  the  ground,  and  having  laid 
the  grim  head  of  his  late  ferocious  enemy  in  his  lap,  was 
drawing  his  knife  with  a  practised  hand  around  the  ears, 
which  he  tore  from  the  head  of  the  beast  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  to  preserve  their  connection,  when  he  answered  : 

"  What  at,  squire  ?  did  you  never  see  a  painter's  scalp 
afore  ?  Come,  you  are  a  magistrate,  I  wish  you'd  make 
me  out  an  order  for  the  bounty." 

"  The  bounty  !  "  repeated  Hiram,  holding  the  ears  on 
the  end  of  his  finger  for  a  moment,  as  if  uncertain  how  to 
proceed.  "  Well,  let  us  go  down  to  your  hut,  where  you 
can  take  the  oath,  and  I  will  write  out  the  order.  I  sup- 
pose you  have  a  Bible?  all  the  law  wants  is  the  four  evan- 
gelists and  the  Lord's  prayer." 

"  I  keep  no  books,"  said  Natty,  a  little  coldly  ;  "  not 
such  a  Bible  as  the  law  needs." 

"  Oh  !  there's  but  one  sort  of  Bible  that's  good  in  law," 
returned  the  magistrate,  "  and  yourn  will  do  as  well  as 
another's.  Come,  the  carcasses  are  worth  nothing,  man  ; 
let  us  go  down  and  take  the  oath." 

"Softly,  softly,  squire,"  said  the  hunter,  lifting  his  tro- 
phies very  deliberately  from  the  ground,  and  shouldering 
his  rifle;  "why  do  you  want  an  oath  at  all,  for  a  thing 
that  your  own  eyes  has  seen  ?  won't  you  believe  yourself, 
that  another  man  must  swear  to  a  fact  that  you  know  to 
be  true  ?  You  have  seen  me  scalp  the  creaters,  and  if  I 
must  swear  to  it,  it  shall  be  before  Judge  Temple,  who 
needs  an  oath." 

"  But  we  have  no  pen  or  paper  here,  Leather-Stocking  ; 
we  must  go  to  the  hut  for  them,  or  how  can  I  write  the 
order  ?" 

Natty  turned  his  simple  features  on  the  cunning  magis- 
trate with  another  of  his  laughs,  as  he  said  : 

"And  what  should  I  be  doing  with  scholars' tools  ?  I 
want  no  pens  or  paper,  not  knowing  the  use  of  either; 
and  I  keep  none.  No,  no,  I'll  bring  the  scalps  into  the 


THE  PIONEERS.  291 

village,  squire,  and  you  can  make  out  the  order  on  one  qi 
your  law-books,  and  it  will  be  all  the  better  for  it.  The 
deuce  take  this  leather  on  the  neck  of  the  dog,  it  will 
strangle  the  old  fool.  Can  you  lend  me  a  knife,  squire  ?" 

Hiram,  who  seemed  particularly  anxious  to  be  on  good 
terms  with  his  companion,  unhesitatingly  complied.  Natty 
cut  the  thong  from  the  neck  of  the  hound,  and,  as  he  re- 
turned the  knife  to  its  owner,  carelessly  remarked  : 

"'Tis  a  good  bit  of  steel,  and  has  cut  such  leather  as  this 
very  same,  before  now,  I  dare  say." 

"  Do  you  mean  to  charge  me  with  letting  your  hounds 
loose  ? "  exclaimed  Hiram,  with  a  consciousness  that  dis- 
armed his  caution. 

"  Loose!"  repeated  the  hunter — "I  let  them  loose  my- 
self. I  always  let  them  loose  before  I  leave  the  hut." 

The  ungovernable  amazement  with  which  Mr.  Ddolittle 
listened  to  this  falsehood  would  have  betrayed  his  agency 
in  the  liberation  of  the  dogs,  had  Natty  wanted  any  further 
confirmation  ;  and  the  coolness  and  management  of  the. 
old  man  now  disappeared  in  open  indignation. 

"  Look  you  here,  Mr.  Ddolittle,"  he  said,  striking  the 
breech  of  his  rifle  violently  on  the  ground  ;  "what  there 
is  in  the  wigwam  of  a  poor  man  like  me,  that  one  like  you 
cari  crave,  I  don't  know  ;  but  this  I  tell  you  to  your  face, 
that  you  never  shall  put  foot  under  the  roof  of  my  cabin 
with  my  consent^  and  that,  if  you  harbor  round  the  spot 
as  you  have  done  lately,  you  niay  meet  with  treatment 
that  you  will  little  relish."  * 

"  And  let  me  tell  you,  Mn  Biimppo,"said  Hiram,  retreat- 
ing, however,  with  a  quick  step,"  that  I  know  you've  broke 
the  law,  and  that  I'm  a  magistrate,  and  will  make  you  feel 
it  too,  before  you  are  a  day  older." 

"That  for  you  and  your  law,  too,"  cried  Natty,  snap- 
ping his  fingers  at  the  justice  of  the  peace  ;  "away  with 
you,  you  varmint,  before  the  devil  tempts  me  to  give  you 
your  desarts.  Take  care,  if  I  ever  catch  your  prowling 
face  in  the  woods  ag'in,  that  I  don't  shoot  it  for  an  owl." 

There  is  something  at  all  times  commanding  in  honest 
indignation,  and  Hiram  did  not  stay  to  provoke  the  wrath 
of  the  old  hunter  to  extremities.  When  the  intruder  was 
out  of  sight,  Natty  proceeded  to  the  hut,  where  he  found 
all  quiet  as  the  grave.  He  fastened  his  dogs,  and  tapping 
at  the  door,  which  was  opened  by  Edwards,  asked  . 

"  Is  all  safe,  lad  ? " 


292  THE  PIONEERS. 

"Everything,"  returned  the  youth.  "Some  one  at* 
tempted  the  lock,  but  it  was  too  strong  for  him." 

"I  know  the  creater,"  said  Natty,  "but  he'll  not  trust 

himself  within  the  reach  of  my  rifle  very  soon "  What 

more  was  uttered  by  the  Leather-Stocking,  in  his  vexation, 
was  rendered  inaudible  by  the  closing  of  the  door  of  the 
cabin. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

"It  is  noised,  he  hath  a  mass  of  treasure." — TIMON  OF  ATHENS. 

WHEN  Marmaduke  Temple  and  his  cousin  rode  through 
the  gate  of  the  former,  the  heart  of  the  father  had  been  too 
recently  touched  with  the  best  feelings  of  our  nature,  to 
leave  inclination  for  immediate  discourse.  There  was  an 
importance  in  the  air  of  Richard,  which  would  not  have 
admitted  of  the  ordinary  informal  conversation  of  the 
sheriff,  without  violating  all  the  rules  of  consistency  ;  and 
the  equestrians  pursued  their  way  with  great  diligence, 
for  more  than  a  mile,  in  profound  silence.  At  length  the 
soft  expression  of  parental  affection  was  slowly  chased 
from  the  handsome  features  of  the  Judge,  and  was  gradu- 
ally supplanted  by  the  cast  of  humor  and  benevolence  that 
was  usually  seated  on  his  brow. 

"Well,  Dickon,"  he  said,  "since  I  have  yielded  myself 
so  far  implicitly  to  your  guidance,  I  think  the  moment  has 
arrived  when  I  am  entitled  to  further  confidence.  Why 
and  wherefore  are  we  journeying  together  in  this  solemn 
gait  ? " 

The  sheriff  gave  a  loud  hem,  that  rang  far  in  the  forest, 
and  keeping  his  eyes  fixed  on  objects  before  him  like  a 
man  who  is  looking  deep  into  futurity  : 

"  There  has  always  been  one  point  of  difference  between 
us,  Judge  Temple,  I  may  say,  since  our  nativity/'  he  re- 
plied ;  "  not  that  I  would  insinuate  that  you  are  at  all  an- 
swerable for  the  acts  of  Nature  ;  for  a  man  is  no  more  to 
be  condemned  for  the  misfortunes  of  his  birth,  than  he  is 
to  be  commended  for  the  natural  advantages  he  may  pos- 
sess ;  but  on  one  point  we  may  be  said  to  have  differed  from 
our  births,  and  they,  you  know,  occurred  within  two  days 
of  each  other." 

"  I  really  marvel,  Richard,  what  this  one  point  can  be ; 


THE  PIONEERS.  293 

for,  to  my  eyes,  we  seem  to  differ  so  materially,  and  so 
often " 

"  Mere  consequences,  sir,"  interrupted  the  sheriff  ;  "all 
our  minor  differences  proceed  from  one  cause,  and  that  is, 
our  opinions  of  the  universal  attainments  of  genius." 

"  In  what,  Dickon  ? " 

"  I  speak  plain  English,  I  believe,  Judge  Temple  ;  at 
least  I  ought  ;  for  my  father,  who  taught  me,  could 
speak 

"  Greek  and  Latin,"  interrupted  Marmaduke.  "  I  well 
know  the  qualifications  of  your  family  in  tongues,  Dickon. 
But  proceed  to  the  point  ;  why  are  we  travelling  over  this 
mountain  to-day  ?" 

"To  do  justice  to  any  subject,  sir,  the  narrator  must  be 
suffered  to  proceed  in  his  own  way,"  continued  the  sheriff. 
"  You  are  of  opinion,  Judge  Temple,  that  a  man  is  to  be 
qualified  by  nature  and  education  to  do  only  one  thing 
well,  whereas  I  know  that  genius  will  supply  the  place  of 
learning,  and  that  a  certain  sort  of  man  can  do  anything 
and  everything  " 

"Like  yourself,  I  suppose,"  said  Marmaduke,  smiling. 

"  I  scorn  personalities,  sir,  I  say  nothing  of  myself ;  but 
there  are  three  men  on  your  Patent,  of  the  kind  that  I 
should  term  talented  by  nature  for  her  general  purposes, 
though  acting  under  the  influence  of  different  situa- 
tions." 

"  We  are  better  off,  then,  than  I  had  supposed.  Who  are 
these  triumviri  ? " 

"Why,  sir,  one  is  Hiram  Doolittle  ;  a  carpenter  by  trade, 
as  you  know — and  I  need  only  point  to  the  village  to  ex- 
hibit his  merits.  Then  he  is  a  magistrate,  and  might  shame 
many  a  man,  in  his  distribution  of  justice,  who  has  had 
better  opportunities." 

"Well,  he  is  one,"  said  Marmaduke,  with  the  air  of  a 
man. that  was  determined  not  to  dispute  the  point 

"  Jotham  Riddel  is  another." 

"  Who  ? " 

"Jotham  Riddel." 

"What,  that  dissatisfied,  shiftless,  lazy,  speculating  fel- 
low !  he  who  changes  his  county  every  three  years,  his 
farm  every  six  months,  and  his  occupation  every  season !  an 
agriculturist  yesterday,  a  shoemaker  to-day,  and  a  school- 
master to-morrow  !  that  epitome  of  all  the  unsteady  and 
profitless  propensities  of  the  settlers  without  one  of  their 


294  THE  PIONEERS. 

good  qualities  to  counterbalance  the  evil !  Nay,  Richard, 
this  is  too  bad  for  even — but  the  third  ?" 

"  As  the  third  is  not  used  to  hearing  such  comments  on 
his  character,  Judge  Temple,  I  shall  not  name  him." 

"The  amount  of  all  this,  then,  Dickon,  is  that  the  trio, 
of  which  you  are  one,  and  the  principal,  have  made  some 
important  discovery." 

"I  have  not  said  that  I  am  one,  Judge  Temple.  As  I 
told  you  before,  I  say  nothing  egotistical.  But  a  discovery 
has  been  made,  and  you  are  deeply  interested  in  it." 

"  Proceed — I  am  all  ears." 

"  No,  no,  'duke,  you  are  bad  enough,  I  own,  but  not  so 
bad  as  that,  either  ;  your  ears  are  not  quite  full  grown/' 

The  sheriff  laughed  heartily  at  his  own  wit,  and  put 
himself  in  good  humor  thereby,  when  he  gratified  his  pa- 
tient cousin  with  the  following  explanation  : 

"You  know,  'duke,  there  is  a  man  living  on  your  estate 
that  goes  by  the  name  of  Natty  Bumppo.  Here  has  this 
man  lived,  by  what  I  can  learn,  for  more  than  forty  years — 
by  himself,  until  lately ;  and  now  with  strange  companions." 

"  Part  very  true,  and  all  very  probable,"  said  the  Judge. 

"  All  true,  sir  ;  all  true.  Well,  within  these  last  few 
months  have  appeared  as  his  companions  an  old  Indian 
chief,  the  last,  or  one  of  the  last  of  his  tribe  that  is  to  be 
found  in  this  part  of  the  country,  and  a  young  man,  who 
is  said  to  be  the  son  of  some  Indian  agent,  by  a  squaw." 

"  Who  says  that  ? "  cried  Marrnaduke,  with  an  interest 
that  he  had  not  manifested  before. 

"Who  ?  why,  common  sense— common  report — the  hue 
and  cry.  But  listen  till  you  know  all.  This  youth  has 
very  pretty  talents— yes,  what  I  call  very  pretty  talents — 
and  has  been  well  educated,  has  seen  very  tolerable  com- 
pany, and  knows  how  to  behave  himself  when  he  has  a 
mind  to.  Now,  Judge  Temple,  can  you  tell  me  what  has 
brought  three  such  men  as  Indian  John,  Natty  Bumppo, 
and  Oliver  Edwards  together  ?" 

Marrnaduke  turned  his  countenance,  in  evident  surprise, 
to  his  cousin,  and  replied  quickly  : 

"  Thou  hast  unexpectedly  hit  on  a  subject,  Richard,  that 
has  often  occupied  my  mind.  But  knowest  thou  anything 
of  this  mystery,  or  are  they  only  the  crude  conjectures 
of " 

"  Crude  nothing,  'duke,  crude  nothing  ;  but  facts,  stub- 
born facts.  You  know  there  are  mines  in  these  moun- 


THE  PIONEERS.  295 

tains  ;  I  have  often  heard  you  say  that  you  believed  in 
their  existence." 

"  Reasoning  from  analogy,  Richard,  but  not  with  any 
certainty  of  the  fact." 

"  You  have  heard  them  mentioned,  and  have  seen  spec- 
imens of  the  ore,  sir  ;  you  will  not  deny  that !  and,  reason- 
ing from  analogy,  as  you  say,  if  there  be  mines  in  South 
America,  ought  there  not  to  be  mines  in  North  America 
too?" 

"  Nay,  nay,  I  deny  nothing,  my  cousin.  I  certainly  have 
heard  many  rumors  of  the  existence  of  mines  in  these  hills  ; 
and  1  do  believe  that  I  have  seen  specimens  of  the  pre- 
cious metals  that  have  been  found  here.  It  would  occa- 
sion me  no  surprise  to  learn  that  tin  and  silver,  or  what  I 
consider  of  more  consequence,  good  coal " 

"  Damn  your  coal,"  cried  the  sheriff  ;  "  who  wants  to 
find  coal  in  these  forests  ?  No,  no — silver,  'duke  ;  silver  is 
the  one  thing  needful,  and  silver  is  to  be  found.  But  lis- 
ten :  you  are  not  to  be  told  that  the  natives  have  long 
known  the  use  of  gold  and  silver;  now  whoso  likely  to 
be  acquainted  where  they  are  to  be  found  as  the  ancient 
inhabitants  of  a  country  ?  I  have  the  best  reasons  for  be- 
lieving that  both  Mohegan  and  the  Leather-Stocking  have 
been  privy  to  the  existence  of  a  mine  in  this  very  mountain 
for  many  years." 

The  sheriff  had  now  touched  his  cousin  in  a  sensitive 
spot ;  and  Marmaduke  lent  a  more  attentive  ear  to  the 
speaker,  who,  after  waiting  a  moment  to  see  the  effect  of 
this  extraordinary  development,  proceeded  : 

"  Yes,  sir,  I  have  my  reasons,  and  at  a  proper  time  you 
shall  know  them." 

"  No  time  is  so  good  as  the  present." 

"Well,  well,  be  attentive,"  continued  Richard,  looking 
cautiously  about  him,  to  make  certain  that  no  eavesdropper 
was  hid  in  the  forest,  though  they  were  in  constant  motion. 
"  I  have  seen  Mohegan  and  the  Leather-Stocking,  with  my 
own  eyes — and  my  eyes  are  as  good  as  anybody's  eyes — I 
have  seen  them,  I  say,  both  going  up  the  mountain  and 
coming  down  it,  with  spades  and  picks  ;  and  others  have 
seen  them  carrying  things  into  their  huts,  in  a  secret  and 
mysterious  manner,  after  dark.  Do  you  call  this  a  fact  of 
importance  ?  " 

The  Judge  did  not  reply,  but  his  brow  had  contracted, 
with  a  thoughtfulness  that  he  always  wore  when  much  in- 


296  THE  PIONEERS. 

terested,  and  his  eyes  rested  on  his  cousin  in  expectation 
of  hearing  more.  Richard  continued  : 

"  It  was  ore.  Now,  sir,  I  ask  if  you  can  tell  me  who 
this  Mr.  Oliver  Edwards  is,  that  has  made  a  part  of  your 
household  since  Christmas  ? " 

Marmaduke  again  raised  his  eyes,  but  continued  silent, 
shaking  his  head  in  the  negative. 

"  That  he  is  a  half-breed  we  know,  for  Mohegan  does 
not  scruple  to  call  him  openly  his  kinsman  ;  that  he  is  well 
educated  we  know.  But  as  to  his  business  here — do  you 
remember  that  about  a  month  before  this  young  man  made 
his  appearance  among  us,  Natty  was  absent  from  home 
several  days  ?  You  do  ;  for  you  inquired  for  him,  as  you 
wanted  some  venison  to  take  to  your  friends,  when  you 
went  for  Bess.  Well,  he  was  not  to  be  found.  Old  John 
was  left  in  the  hut  alone  ;  and  when  Natty  did  appear,  al- 
though he  came  on  in  the  night,  he  was  seen  drawing  one 
of  those  jumpers  that  they  carry  their  grain  to  mill  in,  and 
to  take  out  something  with  great  care,  that  he  had  covered 
up  under  his  bear-skins.  Now  let  me  ask  you,  Judge  Tem- 
ple, what  motive  could  induce  a  man  like  the  Leather- 
Stocking  to  make  a  sled,  and  toil  with  a  load  over  these 
mountains,  if  he  had  nothing  but  his  rifle  or  his  ammuni- 
tion to  carry  ? " 

"They  frequently  make  these  jumpers  to  convey  their 
game  home,  and  you  say  he  had  been  absent  many  days." 

"  How  did  he  kill  it  ?  His  rifle  was  in  the  village,  to  be 
mended.  No,  no — that  he  was  gone  to  some  unusual  place 
is  certain  ;  that  he  brought  back  some  secret  utensils  is 
more  certain  ;  and  that  he  has  not  allowed  a  soul  to  ap- 
proach his  hut  since  is  most  certain  of  all. ' 

"  He  was  never  fond  of  intruders " 

"I  know  it,"  interrupted  Richard  ;  "but  did  he  drive 
them  from  his  cabin  morosely  ?  Within  a  fortnight  of  his 
return,  this  Mr.  Edwards  appears.  They  spend  whole  days 
in  the  mountains,  pretending  to  be  shooting,  but  in  reality 
exploring  ;  the  frosts  prevent  their  digging  at  that  time, 
and  he  avails  himself  of  a  lucky  accident  to  get  into  good 
quarters.  But  even  now,  he  is  quite  half  of  his  time  in 
that  hut — many  hours  every  night.  They  are  smelting, 
'duke,  they  are  smelting,  and  as  they  grow  rich,  you  grow 
poor." 

"  How  much  of  this  is  thine  own,  Richard,  and  how  much 
comes  from  others  ?  I  would  sift  the  wheat  from  the  chaff/' 


THE  PIONEERS.  297 

"  Part  is  my  own,  for  I  saw  the  jumper,  though  it  was 
broken  up  and  burnt  in  a  day  or  two.  I  have  told  you  that 
I  saw  the  old  man  with  his  spades  and  picks.  Hiram  met 
Natty,  as  he  was  crossing  the  mountain,  the  night  of  his 
arrival  with  the  sled,  and  very  good-naturedly  offered — 
Hiram  is  good-natured — to  carry  up  part  of  his  load,  for 
the  old  man  had  a  heavy  pull  up  the  back  of  the  moun- 
tain, but  he  wouldn't  listen  to  the  thing,  and  repulsed  the 
oifer  in  such  a  manner  that  the  squire  said  he  had  half  a 
mind  to  swear  the  peace  against  him.  Since  the  snow  has 
been  off,  more  especially  after  the  frosts  got  out  of  the 
ground,  we  have  kept  a  watchful  eye  on  the  gentleman, 
in  which  we  have  found  Jotham  useful." 

Marmaduke  did  not  much  like  the  associates  of  Richard 
in  this  business  ;  still  he  knew  them  to  be  cunning  and 
ready  in  expedients  ;  and  as  there  was  certainly  something 
mysterious,  not  only  in  the  connection  between  the  old 
hunters  and  Edwards,  but  in  what  his  cousin  had  just  re- 
lated, he  began  to  revolve  the  subject  in  his  own  mind  with 
more  care.  On  reflection,  he  remembered  various  circum- 
stances that  tended  to  corroborate  these  suspicions,  and, 
as  the  whole  business  favored  one  of  his  infirmities,  he 
yielded  the  mpre  readily  to  their  impression.  The  mind 
of  Judge  Temple,  at  all  times  comprehensive,  had  received 
from  his  peculiar  occupations,  a  bias  to  look  far  into  fu- 
turity, in  his  speculations  on  the  improvements  that  pos- 
terity were  to  make  in  his  lands.  To  his  eye,  where  others 
saw  nothing  but  a  wilderness,  towns,  manufactories, 
bridges,  canals,  mines,  and  all  the  other  resources  of  an 
old  country  were  constantly  presenting  tkemselves,  though 
his  good  sense  suppressed,  in  some  degree,  the  exhibition 
of  these  expectations. 

As  the  sheriff  allowed  his  cousin  full  time  to  reflect  on 
what  he  had  heard,  the  probability  of  some  pecuniary 
adventure  being  the  connecting  link  in  the  chain  that 
brought  Oliver  Edwards  into  the  cabin  of  Leather-Stock- 
ing, appeared  to  him  each  moment  to  be  stronger.  But 
Marmaduke  was  too  much  in  the  habit  of  examining  both 
sides  of  a  subject  not  to  perceive  the  objections,  and  he 
reasoned  with  himself  aloud  : 

"It  cannot  be  so,  or  the  youth  would  not  be  driven  so 
near  the  verge  of  poverty." 

"  What  so  likely  to  make  a  man  dig  for  money  as  being 
poor  ?  "  cried  the  sheriff. 


2gS  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  Besides,  there  is  an  elevation  of  character  about  Oliver 
that  proceeds  from  education,  which  would  forbid  so 
clandestine  a  proceeding." 

"  Could  an  ignorant  fellow  smelt?"  continued  Richard. 

"  Bess  hints  that  he  was  reduced  even  to  his  last 
ling  when  we  took  him  into  our  dwelling." 

"He  had  been  buying  tools.  And  would  he  spend  his 
last  sixpence  for  a  shot  at  a  turkey  had  he  not  known 
where  to  get  more  ? " 

"  Can  I  have  possibly  been  so  long  a  dupe  !  His  manner 
has  been  rude  to  me  at  times,  but  I  attributed  it  to  his  con- 
ceiving himself  injured,  and  to  his  mistaking  the  forms  of 
the  world." 

"  Haven't  you  been  a  dupe  all  your  life,  'duke  ?  and  an't 
What  you  call  ignorance  of  forms  deep  cunning,  to  conceal 
his  real  character? " 

"  If  he  were  bent  on  deception,  he  would  have  con- 
cealed his  knowledge,  and  passed  with  us  for  an  inferior 
roan." 

"  He  cannot.  I  could  no  more  pass  for  a  fool,  myself, 
than  I  could  fly.  Knowledge  is  not  to  be  concealed,  like 
a  candle  under  a  bushel." 

"  Richard,"  said  the  Judge,  turning  to  his  cousin,  "  there 
are  many  reasons  against  the  truth  of  thy  conjectures,  but 
thou  hast  awakened  suspicions  which  must  be  satisfied. 
But  why  are  we  travelling  here  ? " 

"Jotham,  who  has  been  much  in  the  mountain  lat- 
terly, being  kept  there  by  me  and  Hiram,  has  made  a  dis- 
covery, which  he  will  not  explain,  he  says,  for  he  is  bound 
by  an  oath  ;  but  the  amount  is,  that  he  knows  where  the 
ore  lies,  and  he  has  this  day  begun  to  dig.  I  would  not 
consent  to  the  thing,  'duke,  without  your  knowledge,  for 
the  land  is  yours  ;  and  now  you  know  the  reason  of  our 
ride.  I  call  this  a  countermine,  ha  ! " 

"And  where  is  the  desirable  spot  ?"  asked  the  Judge, 
with  an  air  half  comical,  half  serious. 

"  At  hand  ;  and  when  we  have  visited  that,  I  will  show 
you  one  of  the  places  that  we  have  found  within  a  week, 
where  our  hunters  have  been  amusing  themselves  for  six 
months  past." 

The  gentlemen  continued  to  discuss  the  matter,  while 
their  horses  picked  their  way  under  the  branches  of  the 
trees,  and  over  the  uneven  ground  of  the  mountain.  They 
soon  arrived  at  the  end  of  their  journey,  where,  in  truth, 


THE  PIONEERS.  299 

they  -found  Jotham  already  buried  to  his  neck  in  a  hole 
that  he  had  been  digging. 

Marmaduke  questioned  the  miner  very  closely  as  to  his 
reasons  for  believing  in  the  existence  of  the  precious  met- 
als near  that  particular  spot  ;  but  the  fellow  maintained 
an  obstinate  mystery  in  his  answers.  He  asserted  that  he 
had  the  best  of  reasons  for  what  he  did,  and  inquired  of 
the  Judge  what  portion  of  the  profits  would  fall  to  his  own 
share,  in  the  event  of  success,  with  an  earnestness  that 
proved  his  faith.  After  spending  an  hour  near  the  place, 
examining  the  stones,  and  searching  for  the  usual  indica- 
tions of  the  proximity  of  ore,  the  Judge  remounted,  and 
suffered  his  cousin  to  lead  the  way  to  the  place  where  the 
mysterious  trio  had  been  making  their  excavation. 

The  spot  chosen  by  Jotham  was  on  the  back  of  the 
mountain  that  overhung  the  hut  of  Leather-Stocking,  and 
the  place  selected  by  Natty  and  his  companions  was  on  the 
other  side  of  the  same  hill,  but  above  the  road,  and,  of 
course,  in  an  opposite  direction  to  the  route  taken  by  the 
ladies  in  their  walk. 

"We  shall  be  safe  in  approaching  the  place  now,"  said 
Richard,  while  they  dismounted  and  fastened  their  horses  ; 
"  for  I  took  a  look  with  the  glass,  and  saw  John  and 
Leather-Stocking  in  their  canoe  fishing  before  we  left 
home,  and  Oliver  is  in  the  same  pursuit  ;  but  these  may 
be  nothing  but  shams  to  blind  our  eyes,  so  we  will  be  ex- 
peditious, for  it  would  not  be  pleasant  to  be  caught  here 
by  them." 

"  Not  on  my  own  land?"  said  Marmaduke,  sternly. 
"  If  it  be  as  you  suspect,  I  will  know  their  reasons  for 
making  this  excavation." 

"  Mum,"  said  Richard,  laying  a  finger  on  his  lip,  and 
leading  the  way  down  a  wry  difficult  descent  to  a  sort  of 
natural  cavern,  which  was,  found  in  the  tace  of  the  rock, 
and  was  not  unlike  a  fire-place  in  shape*  In  front  of  this 
place  lay  a  pile  of  earth,  which  had  evidently  been  taken 
from  the  recess,  and  part  of  which  was  yet  fresh.  An  ex- 
amination of  the  exterior  of  the  cavern  left  the  Judge  in 
doubt  whether  it  was  one  of  Nature's  frolics  that  had 
thrown  it  into  that  shape,  or  whether  it  had  been  wrought 
by  the  hands  of  man,  at  some  earlier  period.  But  there 
could  be  no  doubt  that  the  whole  of  the  interior  was  of 
recent  formation,  and  the  marks  of  the  pick  were  still  visible 
where  the  soft,  lead-colored  rock  had  opposed  itself  to  the 


300  THE  PIONEERS. 

progress  of  the  miners.  The  whole  formed  an  excavation 
of  about  twenty  feet  in  width,  and  nearly  twice  that  dis- 
tance in  depth.  The  height  was  much  greater  than  was 
required  for  the  ordinary  purposes  of  experiment,  but 
this  was  evidently  the  effect  of  chance,  as  the  roof  of  the 
cavern  was  a  natural  stratum  of  rock  that  projected  many 
feet  beyond  the  base  of  the  pile.  Immediately  in  front  of 
the  recess,  or  cave,  was  a  little  terrace,  partly  formed  by 
nature,  and  partly  by  the  earth  that  had  been  carelessly 
thrown  aside  by  the  laborers.  The  mountain  fell  off  pre- 
cipitously in  front  of  the  terrace,  and  the  approach  by  its 
sides,  under  the  ridge  of  the  rocks,  was  difficult  and  a  lit- 
tle dangerous.  The  whole  was  wild,  rude,  and  apparently 
incomplete ;  for,  while  looking  among  the  bushes,  the 
sheriff  found  the  very  implements  that  had  been  used  in 
the  work. 

When  the  sheriff  thought  that  his  cousin  had  examined 
the  spot  sufficiently,  he  asked,  solemnly  : 

"Judge  Temple,  are  you  satisfied  ?" 

"  Perfectly,  that  there  is  something  mysterious  and  per- 
plexing in  this  business.  It  is  a  secret  spot,  and  cunning- 
ly devised,  Richard  ;  yet  I  see  no  symptoms  of  ore." 

"  Do  you  expect,  sir,  to  find  gold  and  silver  lying  like 
pebbles  on  the  surface  of  the  earth  ?— dollars  and  dimes 
ready  coined  to  your  hands?  No,  no — the  treasure  must 
be  sought  after  to  be  won.  But  let  them  mine  ;  I  shall 
countermine." 

The  Judge  took  an  accurate  survey  of  the  place,  and 
noted  in  his  memorandum-book  such  marks  as  were  neces- 
sary to  find  it  again  in  the  event  of  Richard's  absence ; 
when  the  cousins  returned  to  their  horses. 

On  reaching  the  highway  they  separated,  the  sheriff  to 
summon  twenty-four  "good  men  and  true,"  to  attend  as 
the  inquest  of  the  county,  on  the  succeeding  Monday, 
when  Marmaduke  held  his  stated  court  of  "  common  pleas 
and  general  sessions  of  the  peace,"  and  the  Judge  to  re- 
turn, musing  deeply  on  what  he  had  seen  and  heard  in  the 
course  of  the  morning. 

When  the  horse  of  the  latter  reached  the  spot  where  the 
highway  fell  toward  the  valley,  the  eye  of  Marmaduke 
rested,  it  is  true,  on  the  same  scene  that  had,  ten  minutes 
before,  been  so  soothing  to  the  feelings  of  his  daughter 
and  her  friend,  as  they  emerged  from  the  forest ;  but  it 
rested  in  vacancy.  He  threw  the  reins  to  his  sure-footed 


THE  PIONEERS.  301 

beast,  and  suffered  the  animal  to  travel  at  his  own  gait, 
while  he  soliloquized  as  follows  : 

•  "There  -maybe  more  in  this  than  I  at  first  supposed. 
I  have  suffered  my  feeling  to  blind  my  reason,  in  admit- 
ting an  unknown  youth  in  this  manner  to  my  dwelling; 
yet  this  is  not  the  land  of  suspicion.  I  will  have  Leather- 
Stocking  before  me,  and,  by  a  few  direct  questions,  extract 
the  truth  from  the  simple  old  man." 

At  that  instant  the  Judge  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  figures 
of  Elizabeth  and  Louisa,  who  were  slowly  descending  the 
mountain,  a  short  distance  before  him.  He  put  spurs  to 
his  horse,  and  riding  up  to  them,  dismounted,  and  drove 
his  steed  along  the  narrow  path.  While  the  agitated  par- 
ent was  listening  to  the  vivid  description  that  his  daughter 
gave  of  her  recent  danger,  and  her  unexpected  escape,  all 
thoughts  of  mines,  vested  rights,  and  examinations  were 
absorbed  in  emotion  ;  and  when  the  image  of  Natty  again 
crossed  -his  recollection,  it  was  not  as  a  lawless  and  depre- 
dating squatter,  but  as  the  preserver  of  his  child. 


CHAPTER   XXX. 

"The  court  awards  it,  and  the  law  doth  give  it."— MERCHANT  OP 
VENICE. 

REMARKABLE  PETTIBONE,  who  had  forgotten  the  wound 
received  by  her  pride,  in  contemplation  of  the  ease  and 
comforts  of  her  situation,  and  who  still  retained  her  station 
in  the  family  of  Judge  Temple,  was  dispatched  to  the  hum- 
ble dwelling  which  Richard  already  styled  "The  Rectory," 
in  attendance  on  Louisa,  who  was  soon  consigned  to  the 
arms  of  her  father. 

In  the  meantime,  Marmaduke  and  his  daughter  were 
closeted  for  more  than  an  hour,  nor  shall  we  invade  the 
sanctuary  of  parental  love,  by  relating  the  conversation. 
When  the  curtain  rises  on  the  reader,  the  Judge  is  seen 
walking  up  and  down  the  apartment,  with  a  tender  melan- 
choly in  his  air,  and  his  child  reclining  on  a  settee,  with  a 
flushed  cheek,  and  her  dark  eyes  seeming  to  float  in  crys- 
tals. 

"  It  was  a  timely  rescue  !  it  was,  indeed,  a  timely  rescue, 
my  child  !  "  cried  the  Judge.  "  Then  thou  didst  jjot  desert 
thy  friend,  my  noble  Bess  ? " 


302  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  I  believe  I  may  as  well  take  the  credit  of  fortitude," 
said  Elizabeth,  "though  I  much  doubt  if  flight  would 
have  availed  me  anything,  had  I  even  courage  to  execute 
such  an  intention.  But  I  thought  not  of  the  expedient." 

"  Of  what  didst  thou  think,  love  ?  where  did  thy  thoughts 
dwell  most,  at  that  fearful  moment  ? " 

"The  beast!  the  beast!"  cried  Elizabeth,  veiling  her 
face  with  her  hand.  "  Oh  !  I  saw  nothing,  I  thought  of 
nothing  but  the  beast  I  tried  to  think  of  better  things, 
but  the  horror  was  too  glaring,  the  danger  too  much  be- 
fore my  eyes." 

"  Well,  well,  thou  art  safe,  and  we  will  converse  no  more 
on  the  unpleasant  subject.  I  did  not  think  such  an  ani- 
mal yet  remained  in  our  forests  ;  but  they  will  stray  far 
from  their  haunts  when  pressed  by  hunger,  and " 

A  loud  knocking  at  the  door  of  the  apartment  inter- 
rupted what  he  was  about  to  utter,  and  he  bid  the  appli- 
cant enter.  The  door  was  opened  by  Benjamin,  who  came 
in  with  a  discontented  air,  as  if  he  felt  that  he  had  a  com- 
munication to  make  that  would  be  out  of  season. 

"  Here  is  Squire  Doolittle  below,  sir,"  commenced  the 
major-domo.  "  He  has  been  standing  off  and  on  in  the 
door-yard  for  the  matter  of  a  glass  ;  and  he  has  sum  mat 
on  his  mind  that  he  wants  to  heave  up,  d'ye  see  ;  but  I 
tells  him,  says  I,  man,  would  you  be  coming  aboard  with 
your  complaints,  said  I,  when  the  Judge  has  gotten  his 
own  child,  as  it  were,  out  of  the  jaws  of  a  lion  ?  But 
damn  the  bit  of  manners  has  the  fellow,  any  more  than  if 
he  was  one  of  them  Guineas  down  in  the  kitchen  there  ; 
and  so  as  he  was  sheering  nearer,  every  stretch  he  made 
toward  the  house,  I  could  do  no  better  than  to  let  your 
honor  know  that  the  chap  was  in  the  offing." 

"  He  must  have  business  of  importance,"  said  Marma- 
duke  ;  "  something  in  relation  to  his  office,  most  probably, 
as  the  court  sits  so  shortly." 

"Ay,  ay,  you  have  it,  sir,"  cried  Benjamin  ;  "  it's  sumrnat 
about  a  complaint  that  he  has  to  make  of  the  old  Leather- 
Stocking,  who,  to  my  judgment,  is  the  better  man  of  the 
two.  It's  a  very  good  sort  of  a  man  is  this  Master  Bumppo, 
and  he  has  a  way  with  a  spear,  all  the  same  as  if  he  was 
brought  up  at  the  bow-oar  of  the  captainls  barge,  or  was 
born  with  a  boat-hook  in  his  hand." 

"Against  the  Leather-Stocking !"  cried  Elizabeth,  ris- 
ing from  her  reclining  posture. 


THE  PIONEERS.  303 

"  Rest  easy,  my  child  ;  some  trifle,  I  pledge  you  ;  I  be. 
lieve  I  am  already  acquainted  with  its  import.  Trust  met 
Bess,  your  champion  shall  be  safe  in  my  care.  Show  Mr. 
Doolittle  in,  Benjamin." 

Miss  Temple  appeared  satisfied  with  this  assurance,  but 
fastened  her  dark  eyes  on  the  person  of  the  architect,  who 
profited  by  the  permission,  and  instantly  made  his  appear- 
ance. 

All  the  impatience  of  Hiram  seemed  to  vanish  the  in- 
stant he  entered  the  apartment.  After  saluting  the  Judge 
and  his  daughter,  he  took  the  chair  to  which  Marmaduke 
pointed,  and  sat  for  a  minute,  composing  his  straight  black 
hair,  with  a  gravity  of  demeanor  that  was  intended  to  do 
honor  to  his  official  station.  At  length  he  said  : 

"  It's  likely,  from  what  I  hear,  that  Miss  Temple  had  a 
narrow  chance  with  the  painters,  on  the  mountain." 

Marmaduke  made  a  gentle  inclination  of  his  head,  by 
way  of  assent,  but  continued  silent. 

"  I  s'pose  the  law  gives  a  bounty  on  the  scalps,"  con- 
tinued Hiram,  "  in  which  case  the  Leather-Stocking  will 
make  a  good  job  on't." 

"  It  shall  be  my  care  to  see  that  he  is  rewarded,"  re- 
turned the  Judge. 

"  Yes,  yes,  I  rather  guess  that  nobody  hereabouts  doubts 
the  Judge's  generosity.  Does  he  know  whether  the  sheriff 
has  fairly  made  up  his  mind  to  have  a  reading-desk  or  a 
deacon's  pew  under  the  pulpit  ?" 

"  I  have  not  heard  my  cousin  speak  on  that  subject, 
lately,"  replied  Marma*duke. 

"  I  think  it's  likely  that  we  will  have  a  pretty  dull  court 
on't,  from  what  I  can  gather.  I  hear  that  Jotham  Riddel 
and  the  man  who  bought  his  betterments,  have  agreed  to 
leave  their  difference  to  men,  and  I  don't  think  there'll  be 
more  than  two  civil  cases  in  the  calendar." 

"  I  am  glad  of  it,"  said  the  Judge  ;  (f  nothing  gives  me 
more  pain  than  to  see  my  settlers  wasting  their  time  and 
substance  in  the  unprofitable  struggles  of  the  law.  I  hope 
it  may  prove  true,  sir." 

"I  rather  guess  'twill  be  left  out  to  men,"  added  Hiram, 
with  an  air  equally  balanced  between  doubt  and  assurance, 
but  which  Judge  Temple  understood  to  mean  certainty; 
"I  some  think  that  I  am  appointed  a  referee  in  the  case 
myself ;  Jotham  as  much  as  told  me  that  he  should  take 
me.  The  defendant,  I  guess,  means  to  take  Captain  Hoi- 


304  THE  PIONEERS. 

lister,  and  we  two  have  partly  agreed  on  Squire  Jones  fol 
the  third  man." 

"Are  there  any  criminals  to  be  tried  ?"  asked  Marma« 
duke. 

"There's  the  counterfeiters,"  returned  the  magistrate; 
"  as  they  were  caught  in  the  fact,  I  think  it  likely  that 
they'll  be  indicted,  in  which  case  it's  probable  they'll  be 
tried." 

"  Certainly,  sir  ;  I  had  forgotten  those  men.  There  are 
no  more,  I  hope." 

"  Why,  there  is  a  threaten  to  come  forrard  with  an  as- 
sault that  happened  at  the  last  independence  day  ;  but  I'm 
not  sartain  that  the  law'll  take  hold  on't.  There  was 
plaguey  hard  words  passed,  but  whether  they  struck  or 
not  I  haven't  heard.  There's  some  folks  talk  of  a  deer  or 
two  being  killed  out  of  season,  over  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Patent,  by  some  of  the  squatters  on  the  *  Fractions/  " 

"  Let  a  complaint  be  made,  by  all  means,"  said  the 
Judge  ;  "  I  am  determined  to  see  the  law  executed  to  the 
letter,  on  all  such  depredators." 

"  Why,  yes,  I  thought  the  Judge  was  of  that  mind  ;  I 
came  partly  on  such  a  business  myself." 

"  You  !  "  exclaimed  Marmaduke,  comprehending  in  an 
instant  how  completely  he  had  been  caught  by  the  other's 
cunning  ;  "  and  what  have  you  to  say,  sir  ?  " 

"  I  some  think  that  Natty  Bumppo  has  the  carcass  of  a 
deer  in  his  hut  at  this  moment,  and  a  considerable  part  of 
my  business  was  to  get  a  search-warrant  to  examine." 

"  You  think,  sir  !  do  you  know*  that  the  law  exacts  an 
oath,  before  I  can  issue  such  a  precept  ?  The  habitation 
of  a  citizen  is  not  to  be  idly  invaded  on  light  suspicion." 

"  I  rather  think  I  can  swear  to  it  myself,"  returned  the 
immovable  Hiram  ;  "and  Jotham  is  in  the  street,  and  as 
good  as  ready  to  come  in  and  make  oath  to  the  same 
thing." 

"Then  issue  the  warrant  thyself  ;  thou  art  a  magistrate, 
Mr.  Doolittle  ;  why  trouble  me  with  the  matter  ?" 

"  Why,  seeing  it's  the  first  complaint  under  the  law,  and 
knowing  the  Judge  set  his  heart  on  the  thing,  I  thought  it 
best  that  the  authority  to  search  should  come  from  him- 
self. Besides,  as  I'm  much  in  the  woods,  among  the  tim* 
ber,  I  don't  altogether  like  making  an  enemy  of  the 
Leather-Stocking.  Now,  the  Judge  has  a  weight  in  the 
county  that  puts  him  above  fear." 


THE  PIONEERS.  305 

Miss  Temple  turned  her  face  to  the  callous  architect,  as 
she  said  : 

"  And  what  has  any  honest  person  to  dread  from  so  kind 
a  man  as  Bumppo  ?  " 

"  Why,  it's  as  easy,  miss,  to  pull  a  rifle-trigger  on  a  mag- 
istrate as  on  a  painter.  But  if  the  Judge  don't  conclude  to 
issue  the  warrant,  I  must  go  home  and  make  it  out  myself." 

"I  have  not  refused  your  application,  sir,"  said  Marma« 
duke,  perceiving  at  once  that  his  reputation  for  impartiality 
was  at  stake  ;  "go  into  my  office,  Mr.  Doolittle,  where  I 
will  join  you,  and  sign  the  warrant." 

Judge  Temple  stopped  the  remonstrances  which  Eliza- 
beth was  about  to  utter,  after  Hiram  had  withdrawn,  by 
laying  his  hand  on  her  mouth,  and  saying  : 

"It  is  more  terrible  in  sound  than  frightful  in  reality, 
my  child.  I  suppose  that  the  Leather-Stocking  has  shot 
a  deer,  for  the  season  is  nearly  over,  and  you  say  that  he 
was  hunting  with  his  dogs  when  he  came  so  timely  to  your 
assistance.  But  it  will  be  only  to  examine  his  cabin,  and 
find  the  animal,  when  you  can  pay  the  penalty  out  of  your 
own  pocket,  Bess.  Nothing  short  of  the  twelve  dollars  and 
a  half  will  satisfy  this  harpy,  I  perceive;  and  surely  my 
reputation  as  Judge  is  worth  that  trifle." 

Elizabeth  was  a  good  deal  pacified  with  this  assurance, 
and  suffered  her  father  to  leave  her,  to  fulfil  his  promise 
to  Hiram. 

When  Marmaduke  left  his  office  after  executing  his 
disagreeable  duty,  he  met  Oliver  Edwards,  walking  up  the 
gravelled  walk  in  front  of  the  mansion-ho*use,  with  great 
strides,  and  with  a  face  agitated  by  feeling.  On  seeing 
Judge  Temple,  the  youth  turned  aside,  and  with  a  warmth 
in  his  manner  that  was  not  often  exhibited  to  Marmaduke, 
he  cried  : 

"  I  congratulate  you,  sir  ;  from  the  bottom  of  my  soul, 
I  congratulate  you,  Judge  Temple.  Oh  !  it  would  have 
been  too  horrid  to  have  recollected  for  a  moment !  I  have 
just  left  the  hut,  where,  after  showing  me  his  scalps,  old 
Natty  told  me  of  the  escape  of  the  ladies,  as  the  thing  to 
be  mentioned  last.  Indeed,  indeed,  sir,  no  words  of  mine 
can  express  half  of  what  I  have  felt " — the  youth  paused 
a  moment,  as  if  suddenly  recollecting  that  he  was  over- 
stepping prescribed  limits,  and  concluded  wjth  a  good  deal 
of  embarrassment — "what  I  have  felt  at  this  danger  to 
Miss — Grant,  and— and  your  daughter,  sir." 

20 


3o6  THE  PIONEERS. 

But  the  heart  of  Marmaduke  was  too  much  softened  to 
admit  his  cavilling  at  trifles,  and,  without  regarding  the 
confusion  of  the  other,  he  replied  : 

"  I  thank  thee,  thank  thee,  Oliver ;  as  thou  sayest,  it  is 
almost  too  horrid  to  be  remembered.  But  come,  let  us 
hasten  to  Bess,  for  Louisa  has  already  gone  to  the  rectory." 

The  young  man  sprang  forward,  and,  throwing  open  a 
door,  barely  permitted  the  Judge  to  precede  him,  when  lie 
was  in  the  presence  of  Elizabeth  in  a  moment. 

The  cold  distance  that  often  crossed  the  demeanor  ot 
the  heiress,  in  her  intercourse  with  Edwards,  was  now  en- 
tirely banished,  and  two  hours  were  passed  by  the  party, 
in  the  free,  unembarrassed,  and  confiding  manner  of  old 
and  esteemed  friends.  Judge  Temple  had  forgotten  the 
suspicions  engendered  during  his  morning's  ride,  and  the 
youth  and  maiden  conversed,  laughed,  and  were  sad  by 
turns,  as  impulse  directed. 

At  length,  Edwards,  after  repeating  his  intention  to  do 
so  for  the  third  time,  left  the  mansion-house  to  go  to  the 
rectory  on  a  similar  errand  of  friendship. 

During  this  short  period,  a  scene  was  passing  at  the  hut 
that  completely  frustrated  the  benevolent  intentions  of 
Judge  Temple  in  favor  of  the  Leather-Stocking,  and  at  once; 
destroyed  the  short-lived  harmony  between  the  youth  and 
Marmaduke. 

When  Hiram  Doolittle  had  obtained  his  search-warrant; 
his  first  business  was  to  procure  a  proper  officer  to  see  it 
executed.  The  sheriff  was  absent,  summoning  in  person 
the  grand  inquest  for  the  county  ;  the  deputy  who  resided 
in  the  village,  was  riding  on  the  same  errand,  in  a  different 
part  of  the  settlement  ;  and  the  regular  constable  of  the* 
township  had  been  selected  for  his  station  from  motives  of 
charity,  being  lame  of  a  leg.  Hiram  intended  to  accom- 
pany the  officer  as  a  spectator,  but  he  felt  no  very  strong 
desire  td  bear  the  brunt  of  the  battle.  It  was,  however, 
Saturday,  and  the  sun  was  already  turning  the  shadows  of 
the  pines  toward  the  east ;  on  the  morrow  the  conscien- 
tious magistrate  could  not  engage  in  such  an  expedition  at 
the  peril  of  his  soul ;  and  long  before  Monday,  the  veni- 
son, and  all  vestiges  of  the  death  of  the  deer,  might  be  se- 
creted or  destroyed.  Happily,  the  lounging  form  of  Billy 
Kirby  met  his  eye,  and  Hiram,  at  all  times  fruitful  in  simi- 
lar expedients,  saw  his  way  clear  at  once.  Jotham,  who 
was  associated  in  the  whole  business,  and  who  had  left  the 


THE  PIONEERS.  307 

mountain  in  consequence  of  a  summons  from  his  coadju- 
tor, but  who  failed,  equally  with  Hiram,  in  the  unfortunate 
particular  of  nerve,  was  directed  to  summon  the  wood- 
chopper  to  the  dwelling  of  the  magistrate. 

When  Billy  appeared,  he  was  very  kindly  invited  to  take 
the  chair  in  which  he  had  already  seated  himself,  and  was 
treated  in  all  respects  as  if  he  were  an  equal. 

"Judge  Temple  has  set  his  heart  on  putting  the  deer 
law  in  force,"  said  Hiram,  after  the  preliminary  civilities 
were  over,  "and  a  complaint  has  been  laid  before  him 
that  a  deer  has  been  killed.  He  has  issued  a  search-war- 
rant, and  sent  for  me  to  get  somebody  to  execute  it." 

Kirby  who  had  no  idea  of  being  excluded  from  the  de- 
liberative part  of  any  affair  in  which  he  was  engaged,  drew 
up  his  bushy  head  in  a  reflecting  attitude,  and,  after  mus- 
ing a  moment,  replied  by  asking  a  few  questions. 

"  The  sheriff  has  gone  out  of  the  way  ?  " 

"Not  to  be  found." 

"  And  his  deputy  too  ?  " 

"  Both  gone  on  the  skirts  of  the  Patent." 

"  But  I  saw  the  constable  hobbling  about  town  an  hour 


"Yes,  yes,"  said  Hiram,  with  a  coaxing  smile  and  know 
ing  nod,  "  but  this  business  wants  a  man  —  not  a  cripple." 

"  Why,"  said  Billy,  laughing,  "  will  the  chap  make 
fight?"' 

"  He's  a  little  quarrelsome  at  times,  and  thinks  he's  the 
best  man  in  the  country  at  rough  and  tumble." 

"  I  heard  him  brag  once,"  said  Jotham,  "  that  there 
wasn't  a  man  'twixt  the  Mohawk  Flats  and  the  Pennsyl- 
vany  line  that  was  his  match  at  a  close  hug." 

"  Did  you  ?"  exclaimed  Kirby,  raising  his  huge  frame  in 
his  seat,  like  a  lion  stretching  in  his  lair,  "  I  rather  guess 
he  never  felt  a  Varmounter's  knuckles  on  his  backbone. 
But  who  is  the  chap  ?" 

"Why,"  said  Jotham,  "it's  -  " 

"It's  ag'in  law  to  tell,"  interrupted  Hiram,  "unless 
you'll  qualify  to  sarve.  You'd  be  the  very  man  to  take 
him,  Bill  and  I'll  make  out  a  special  deputation  in  a  min- 
ute, when  you  will  get  the  fees." 

"  What's  the  fees  ?"  said  Kirby,  laying  his  large  hand  on 
the  leaves  of  a  statute-book  that  Hiram  had  opened  in 
order  to  give  dignity  to  his  office,  which  he  turned  over  in 
his  rough  manner,  as  if  he  were  reflecting  on  a  subject 


3o8  THE  PIONEERS. 

about  which  he  had,  in  truth,  already  decided  ;  "will  they 
pay  a  man  for  a  broken  head  ?." 

"They'll  be  something  handsome,"  said  Hiram. 

"  Damn  the  fees,"  said  Billy,  again  laughing — "  does  the 
fellow  think  he's  the  best  wrestler  in  the  county,  though  ? 
what's  his  inches  ? " 

"  He's  taller  than  you  be,"  said  Jotham,  "  and  one  of  the 
biggest " 

Talkers,  he  was  about  to  add,  but  the  impatience  of 
Kirby  interrupted  him.  The  wood-chopper  had  nothing 
fierce  or  even  brutal  in  his  appearance  ;  the  character  of 
his  expression  was  that  of  good-natured  vanity.  It  was 
evident  he  prided  himself  on  the  powers  of  the  physical 
man,  like  all  who  have  nothing  better  to  boast  of  ;  and, 
stretching  out  his  broad  hand,  with  the  palm  downward, 
he  said,  keeping  his  eyes  fastened  on  his  own  bones  and 
sinews  : 

"  Come,  give  us  a  touch  of  the  book.  I'll  swear,  and 
you'll  see  that  I'm  a  man  to  keep  my  oath." 

Hiram  did  not  give  the  wood-chopper  time  to  change 
his  mind,  but  the  oath  was  administered  without  unneces 
sary  delay.  So  soon  as  this  preliminary  was  completed, 
the  three  worthies  left  the  house,  and  proceeded  by  the 
nearest  road  toward  the  hut.  They  had  reached  the  bank 
of  the  lake,  and  were  diverging  from  the  route  of  the  high- 
way, before  Kirby  recollected  that  he  was  now  entitled  to 
the  privilege  of  the  initiated,  and  repeated  his  question  as 
to  the  name  of  the  offender. 

"  Which  way,  which  way,  squire  ?"  exclaimed  the  hardy 
wood-chopper  ;  "  I  thought  it  was  to  search  a  house  that 
you  wanted  me,  not  the  woods.  There  is  nobody  lives  on 
this  side  of  the  lake,  for  six  miles,  unless  you  count  the 
Leather-Stocking  and  old  John  for  settlers.  Come,  tell 
me  the  chap's  name,  and  I  warrant  me  that  I  lead  you  to 
his  clearing  by  a  straighter  path  than  this,  for  I  know 
every  sapling  that  grows  within  two  miles  of  Temple- 
ton." 

"  This  is  the  way,"  said  Hiram,  pointing  forward  and 
quickening  his  step,  as  if  apprehensive  that  Kirby  would 
desert,  "and  Bumppo  is  the  man." 

Kirby  stopped  short,  and  looked  from  one  of  his  com- 
panions to  the  other  in  astonishment.  He  then  burst  into 
a  loud  laugh,  and  cried  : 

"Who  ?  Leather-Stocking  !  he  may  brag  of  his  aim  and 


THE  PIONEERS.  309 

his  rifle,  for  he  has  the  best  of  both,  as  I  will  own  myself, 
for  sin'  he  shot  the  pigeon  I  knock  under  to  him  ;  but  for 
a  wrestle  !  why,  I  would  take  the  creatur'  between  my  fin- 
ger and  thumb,  and  tie  him  in  a  bow-knot  around  rny  neck 
for  a  Barcelony.  The  man  is  seventy,  and  was  never  any- 
thing particular  for  strength." 

"He's  a  deceiving  man,"  said  Hiram, "  like  all  the 
hunters  ;  he  is  stronger  than  he  seems  ;  besides,  he  has 
his  rifle." 

"That  for  his  rifle!"  cried  Billy  ;  "he'd  no  more  hurt 
me  with  his  rifle  than  he'd  fly.  He  is  a  harmless  creater, 
and  I  must  say  that  I  think  he  has  as  good  right  to  kill 
deer  as  any  man  on  the  Patent.  It's  his  main  support,  and 
this  is  a  free  country,  where  a  man  is  privileged  to  follow 
any  calling  he  likes." 

"According  to  that  doctrine,"  said  Jotham,  "anybody 
may  shoot  a  deer." 

"This  is  the  man's  calling,  I  tell  you,"  returned  Kirby, 
'*  and  the  law  was  never  made  for  such  as  he." 

"  The  law  was  made  for  all,"  observed  Hiram,  who  be- 
gan to  think  that  the  danger  was  likely  to  fall  to  his  own 
share,  notwithstanding  his  management  ;  "  and  the  law  is 
particular  in  noticing  parjury." 

"See  here,  Squire  Doolittle,"  said  the  reckless  wood- 
chopper  ;  "  I  don't  care  the  valie  of  a  beetlering  for  you 
and  your  parjury  too.  But  as  I  have  come  so  far,  I'll  go 
down  and  have  a  talk  with  the  old  man,  and  maybe  we'll 
fry  a  steak  of  the  deer  together." 

"Well,  if  you  can  get  in  peaceably,  so  much  the  better," 
said  the  magistrate.  "  To  my  notion,  strife  is  very  unpop- 
ular ;  I  prefar,  at  all  times,  clever  conduct  to  an  ugly  tem- 
per." 

As  the  whole  party  moved  at  a  great  pace,  they  soon 
reached  the  hut,  where  Hiram  thought  it  prudent  to  halt 
on  the  outside  of  the  top  of  the  fallen  pine,  which  formed 
a  chevaux-de-frise,  to  defend  the  approach  to  the  fortress, 
on  the  side  next  the  village.  The  delay  was  little  relished 
by  Kirby,  who  clapped  his  hands  to  his  mouth,  and  gave  a 
loud  halloo  that  brought  the  dogs  out  of  their  kennel,  and 
almost  at  the  same  instant,  the  scantily-covered  head  of 
Natty  from  the  door. 

"  Lie  down,  old  fool,"  cried  the  hunter;  "  do  you  think 
there's  more  painters  about  you  ?  " 

"  Ha  !  Leather-Stocking,  I've  an  arrand  with  you,"  cried 


3  io  THE  PIONEERS. 

Kirby  ;  "  here's  the  good  people  of  the  State  have  been 
writing  you  a  small  letter,  and  they've  hired  me  to  ride 
post." 

"What  would  you  have  with  me,  Billy  Kirby?"  said 
Natty,  stepping  across  his  threshold,  and  raising  his  hand 
over  his  eyes,  to  screen  them  from  the  rays  of  the  setting 
sun,  while  he  took  a  survey  of  his  visitor.  "  I've  no  land 
to  clear,  and  Heaven  knows  I  would  set  out  six  trees  afore 
I  would  cut  down  one. — Down,  Hector,  I  say  ;  into  youl 
kennel  with  ye." 

"Would  you,  old  boy?"  roared  Billy  ;  "then  so  much 
the  better  for  me.  But  I  must  do  my  arrand.  Here's  a 
letter  for  you,  Leather-Stocking.  If  you  can  read  it,  it's 
all  well,  and  if  you  can't,  here's  Squire  Doolittle  at  hand, 
to  let  you  know  what  it  means.  It  seems  you  mistook 
the  twentieth  of  July  for  the  first  of  August,  that's  all." 

By  this  time  Natty  had  discovered  the  lank  person  of 
Hiram,  drawn  up  under  the  cover  of  a  high  stump  ;  and 
all  that  was  complacent  in  his  manner  instantly  gave  way 
to  marked  distrust  and  dissatisfaction.  He  placed  his 
head  within  the  door  of  his  hut,  and  said  a  few  words  in 
an  undertone,  when  he  again  appeared,  and  continued  : 

"  I've  nothing  for  ye  ;  so  away,  afore  the  Evil  One  tempts 
me  to  do  you  harm.  I  owe  you  no  spite,  Billy  Kirby, 
and  what  for  should  you  trouble  an  old  man  who  has  done 
you  no  harm  ?  " 

Kirby  advanced  through  the  top  of  the  pine,  to  within  a 
few  feet  of  the  hunter,  where  he  seated  himself  on  the  end 
of  a  log,  with  great  composure,  and  began  to  examine  the 
nose  of  Hector,  with  whom  he  was  familiar,  from  their 
frequently  meeting  in  the  woods,  where  he  sometimes  fed 
the  dog  from  his  own  basket  of  provisions. 

"  You've  outshot  me,  and  I'm  not  ashamed  to  say  it," 
said  the  wood-chopper  ;  "  but  I  don't  owe  you  a  grudge 
for  that,  Natty  !  though  it  seems  that  you've  shot  once  too 
often,  for  the  story  goes  that  you've  killed  a  buck." 

"  I've  fired  but  twice  to-day,  and  both  times  at  the  pain- 
ters," returned  the  Leather-Stocking ;  "  see,  here  are  the 
scalps  !  I  was  just  going  in  with  them  to  the  Judge's  ta 
ask  the  bounty." 

While  Natty  was  speaking,  he  tossed  the  ears  to  Kirby, 
who  continued  playing  with  them,  with  a  careless  air,  hold- 
ing them  to  the  dogs,  and  laughing  at  their  movements 
when  they  scented  the  unusual  game. 


THE  PIONEERS.  311 

But  Hiram,  emboldened  by  the  advance  of  the  deputed 
constable,  now  ventured  to  approach  also,  and  took  up 
the  discourse  with  the  air  of  authority  that  became  his 
commission.  His  first  measure  was  to  read  the  warrant 
aloud,  taking  care  to  give  due  emphasis  to  the  most  mate- 
rial parts,  and  concluding  with  t-he  name  of  the  Judge  in 
very  audible  and  distinct  tones. 

"  Did  Marmaduke  Temple  put  his  name  to  that  bit  of 
paper?"  said  Natty,  shaking  his  head  ;  "  well,  well,  that 
man  loves  the  new  ways,  and  his  betterments,  and  his 
lands,  afore  his  own  flesh  and  blood.  But  I  won't  mistrust 
the  gal ;  she  has  an  eye  like  a  full  grown  buck  !  poor  thing, 
she  didn't  choose  her  father,  and  can't  help  it.  I  know 
but  little  of  the  law,  Mr.  Doolittle  ;  what  is  to  be  done,  now 
you've  read  your  commission  ?  " 

"  Oh  !  it's  nothing  but  form,  Natty,"  said  Hiram,  en- 
deavoring to  assume  a  friendly  aspect.  "  Let's  go  in,  and 
talk  the  thing  over  in  reason  ;  I  dare  to  say  that  the  money 
can  be  easily  found,  arid  I  partly  conclude,  from  what 
passed,  that  Judge  Temple  will  pay  it  himself." 

The  old  hunter  had  kept  a  keen  eye  on  the  movements 
of  his  three  visitors,  from  the  beginning,  and  had  main- 
tained his  position,  just  without  the  threshold  of  the  cabin, 
\vith  a  determined  manner,*  that  showed  he  was  not  to  be 
easily  driven  from  his  post.  When  Hiram  drew  nigher,  as 
if  expecting  his  proposition  would  be  accepted,  Natty  lifted 
his  hand,  and  motioned  for  him  to  retreat. 

"  Haven't  I  told  you  more  than  once,  not  to  tempt  me  ?" 
he  said.  "  I  trouble  no  man  ;  why  can't  the  law  leave  me 
to  myself  ?  Go  back — go  back,  and  tell  your  Judge  that 
he  may  keep  his  bounty  ;  but  I  won't  have  his  wasty  ways 
brought  into  my  hut." 

This  offer,  however,  instead  of  appeasing  the  curiosity 
of  Hiram,  seemed  to  inflame  it  the  more  ;  while  Kirby 
cried  : 

"  Well,  that's  fair,  squire  ;  he  forgives  the  county  his 
demand,  and  the  county  should  forgive  him  the  fine  ;  it's 
what  I  call  an  even  trade,  and  should  be  concluded  on  the 
spot.  I  like  quick  dealings,  and  what's  fair  'twixt  man 
and  man." 

"  I  demand  entrance  into  this  house,"  said  Hiram,  sum- 
moning all  the  dignity  he  could  muster  to  his  assistance, 
"  in  the  name  of  the  people  ;  and  by  virtue  of  this  warrant, 
and  of  my  office,  and  with  this  peace  officer." 


3 12  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  Stand  back,  stand  back,  squire,  and  don't  tempt  me," 
said  the  Leather-Stocking,  motioning  him  to  retire,  with 
great  earnestness. 

"  Stop  us  at  your  peril,"  continued  Hiram.  "  Billy ! 
Jotham  !  close  up — I  want  testimony." 

Hiram  had  mistaken  the  mild  but  determined  air  of 
Natty  for  submission,  and  had  already  put  his  foot  on  the 
threshold  to  enter,  when  he  was  seized  unexpectedly  by 
his  shoulders,  and  hurled  over  the  little  bank  toward  the 
lake,  to  the  distance  of  twenty  feet.  The  suddenness  of 
the  movement,  and  the  unexpected  display  of  strength  on 
the  part  of  Natty,  created  a  momentary  astonishment  in 
his  invaders,  that  silenced  all  noises  ;  but  at  the  next  in- 
stant Billy  Kirby  gave  vent  to  his  mirth  in  peals  of  laughter, 
that  he  seemed  to  heave  up  from  his  very  soul. 

"  Well  done,  old  stub  ?  "  he  shouted  ;  "  the  squire  know'd 
you  better  than  I  did.  Come,  come,  here's  a  green 
spot  ;  take  it  out  like  men,  while  Jotham  and  I  see  fair 
play." 

"  William  Kirby,  I  order  you  to  do  your  duty,"  cried 
Hiram,  from  under  the  bank  ;  "  seize  that  man  ;  I  order 
you  to  seize  him  in  the  name  of  the  people." 

But  the  Leather-Stocking  now  assumed  a  more  threaten- 
ing attitude  ;  his  rifle  was  in  his  hand,  and  its  muzzle  was 
directed  toward  the  wood-chopper. 

"  Stand  off;  I  bid  ye,"  said  Natty  ;  "  you  know  my  aim, 
Billy  Kirby ;  I  don't  crave  your  blood,  but  mine  and 
yourn  both  shall  turn  this  green  grass  red,  afore  you  put 
foot  into  the  hut." 

While  the  affair  appeared  trifling,  the  wood-chopper 
seemed  disposed  to  take  sides  with  the  weaker  party  ;  but, 
when  the  fire-arms  were  introduced,  his  manner  very  sen- 
sibly changed.  He  raised  his  large  frame  from  the  log, 
and,  facing  the  hunter  with  an  open  front  he  replied  : 

"  I  didn't  come  here  as  your  enemy,  Leather-Stocking  ; 
but  I  don't  value  the  hollow  piece  of  iron  in  your  hand  so 
much  as  a  broken  axe-helve  ;  so,  squire,  say  the  word,  and 
keep  within  the  law,  and  we'll  soon  see  who's  the  best  man 
of  the  two." 

But  no  magistrate  was  to  be  seen  !  The  instant  the 
rifle  was  produced  Hiram  and  Jotham  vanished  ;  and  when 
the  wood-chopper  bent  his  eyes  about  him  in  surprise  at 
receiving  no  answer,  he  discovered  their  retreating  figures 
moving  toward  the  village  at  a  rate  that  sufficiently  indi- 


THE  PIONEERS.  313 

cated  that  they  had  not  only  calculated  the  velocity  of  a 
rifle-bullet,  but  also  its  probable  range. 

"  You've  scared  the  creaters  off,"  said  Kirby,  with  great 
c-ontempt  expressed  on  his  broad  features  ;  "  but  you  are 
not  going  to  scare  me  ;  so,  Mr.  Bumppo,  down  with  your 
gun,  or  there'll  be  trouble  'twixt  us." 

Natty  dropped  his  rifle,  and  replied  : 

"  I  wish  you  no  harm,  Billy  Kirby  ;  but  I  leave  it  to 
yourself,  whether  an  old  man's  hut  is  to  be  run  down  by 
such  varmint.  I  won't  deny  the  buck  to  you,  Billy,  and 
you  may  take  the  skin  in,  if  you  please,  and  show  it  as 
testimony.  The  bounty  will  pay  the  fine,  and  that  ought 
to  satisfy  any  man." 

*' 'Twill,  old  boy,  'twill,"  cried  Kirby,  every  shade  of  dis- 
pleasure vanishing  from  his  open  brow  at  the  peace  offer- 
ing ;  "throw  out  the  hide,  and  that  shall  satisfy  the  law." 

Natty  entered  the  hut,  and  soon  reappeared,  bringing 
with  him  the  desired  testimonial  ;  and  the  wood-chopper 
departed,  as  thoroughly  reconciled  to  the  hunter  as  if 
nothing  had  happened.  As  he  paced  along  the  margin  of 
the  lake  he  would  burst  into  frequent  fits  of  laughter, 
while  he  recollected  the  summerset  of  Hiram  ;  and,  on  the 
whole,  he  thought  the  affair  a  very  capital  joke. 

Long  before  Billy  reached  the  village,  however,  the 
news  of  his  danger,  and  of  Natty's  disrespect  of  the  law, 
and  of  Hiram's  discomfiture,  were  in  circulation.  A  good 
deal  was  said  about  sending  for  the  sheriff  ;  some  hints 
were  given  about  calling  out  the  posse  comitatus  to  avenge 
the  insulted  laws  ;  and  many  of  the  citizens  were  collected, 
deliberating  how  to  proceed.  The  arrival  of  Billy  with 
the  skin,  by  removing  all  grounds  for  a  search,  changed 
the  complexion  of  things  materially.  Nothing  now  re- 
mained but  to  collect  the  fine,  and  assert  the  dignity  of  the 
people  ;  all  of  which,  it  was  unanimously  agreed,  could 
be  done  as  well  on  the  succeeding  Monday  as  on  Saturday 
night — a  time  kept  sacred  by  a  large  portion  of  the  settlers. 
Accordingly,  all  further  proceedings  were  suspended  for 
six-and-thirty  hours. 


THE  PIONEERS. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

"And  dar'st  thou  then 
To  beard  the  lion  in  his  den, 
The  Douglas  in  his  hall?  " — MARMION. 

THE  commotion  was  just  subsiding,  and  the  inhabitants 
of  the  village  had  begun  to  disperse  from  the  little  groups 
that  had  formed,  each  retiring  to  his  own  home,  and  closing 
his  door  after  him,  with  the  grave  air  of  a  man  who  con- 
sulted public  feeling  in  his  exterior  deportment,  when 
Oliver  Edwards,  on  his  return  from  the  dwelling  of  Mr. 
Grant,  encountered  the  young  lawyer,  who  is  known  to 
the  reader  as  Mr.  Lippet.  There  was  very  little  similarity 
in  the  manners  or  opinions  of  the  two  ;  but  as  they  both 
belonged  to  the  more  intelligent  class  of  a  very  small  com- 
munity, they  were,  of  course,  known  to  each  other,  and,  as 
their  meeting  was  at  a  point  where  silence  would  have 
been  rudeness,  the  following  conversation  was  the  result 
of  their  interview  : 

"A  fine  evening,  Mr.  Edwards,"  commenced  the  lawyer 
whose  disinclination  to  the  dialogue  was,  to  say  the  leasi 
very  doubtful  ;  "  we  want  rain  sadly  ;  that's  the  worst  of  this 
climate  of  ours,  it's  either  a  drought  or  a  deluge.   It's  like- 
ly you've  been  used  to  a  more  equal  temperature  ? " 

"  I  am  a  native  of  this  State,"  returned  Edwards,  coldly 

"  Well,  I've  often  heard  that  point  disputed  ;  but  it's  sc 
easy  to  get  a  man  naturalized,  that  it's  of  little  consequence 
where  he  was  born.  I  wonder  what  course  the  Judge 
means  to  take  in  this  business  of  Natty  Bumppo !  " 

"Of  Natty  Bumppo!"  echoed  Edwards  ;  "to  what  do 
you  allude,  sir?" 

"  Haven't  you  heard !  "  exclaimed  the  other,  with  a  look 
of  surprise,  so  naturally  assumed  as  completely  to  deceive 
his  auditor  ;  "  it  may  turn  out  an  ugly  business.  It  seems 
that  the  old  man  has  been  out  in  the  hills,  and  has  shot  a 
buck  this  morning,  and  that,  you  know,  is  a  criminal  mat- 
ter in  the  eyes  of  Judge  Temple." 

"  Oh  !  he  has,  has  he  ? "  said  Edwards,  averting  his  face 
to  conceal  the  color  that  collected  in  his  sunburnt  cheek. 
"Well,  if  that  be  all,  he  must  even  pay  the  fine." 

"  It's  five  pound  currency,"  said  the  lawyer  ;  "  could 
Natty  muster  so  much  money  at  once  ?" 


THE  PIONEERS.  315 

"Could  he  !"  cried  the  youth.  "  I  am  not  rich,  Mr.  Lip- 
pet  ;  far  from  it — I  am  poor,  and  I  have  been  hoarding  my 
salary  for  a  purpose  that  lies  near  my  heart  ;  but,  before 
that  old  man  should  lie  one  h§ur  in  a  jail,  I  would  spend 
the*  last  cent  to  prevent  it.  Besides,  he  has  killed  two 
panthers,  and  the  bounty  will  discharge  the  line  many- 
times  over." 

"Yes,  yes,"  said  the  lawyer,  rubbing  his  hands  together, 
with  an  expression  of  pleasure  that  had  no  artifice  about 
it  ;  "we  shall  make  it  out  ;  I  see  plainly  we  shall  make  it 
out." 

"  Make  what  out,. sir  ?     I  must  beg  an  explanation." 

"Why,  killing  the  buck  is  but  a  small  matter  compared 
to  what  took  place  this  afternoon,"  continued  Mr.  Lippet, 
with  a  confidential  and  friendly  air,  that  won  upon  the 
youth,  little  as  he  liked  the  man.  "  It  seems  tha.t  a  com- 
plaint was  made  of  the  fact,  and  a  suspicion  that  there  was 
venison  in  the  hut  was  sworn  to,  all  which  is  provided  for 
in  the  statute,  when  Judge  Temple  granted  the  search- 
warrant " 

"  A  search-warrant !  "  echoed  Edwards,  in  a  voice  of  hor- 
ror, and  with  a  face  that  should  have  been  again  averted 
to  co'iceal  its  paleness  ;  "  and  how  much  did  they  dis- 
cover ?  What  did  they  see  ?  " 

"They  saw  old  Bumppo's  rifle  ;  and  that  is  a  sight  which 
will  quiet  most  men's  curiosity  in  the  woods." 

"  Did  they!  did  they  !  "  shouted  Edwards,  bursting  into 
a  convulsive  laugh  ;  "  so  the  old  hero  beat  them  back  ! — 
beat  them  back  !  did  he  ? " 

The  lawyer  fastened  his  eyes  in  astonishment  on  the 
youth,  but,  as  his  wonder  gave  way  to  the  thoughts  that 
were  commonly  uppermost  in  his  mind,  he  replied  : 

"It's  no  laughing  matter,  let  me  tell  you,  sir  ;  the  forty 
dollars  of  bounty,  and  your  six  months  of  salary  will  be 
much  reduced  before  you  can  get  the  matter  fairly  settled. 
Assaulting  a  magistrate  in  the  execution  of  his  duty,  and 
menacing  a  constable  with  fire-arms  at  the  same  time,  is  a 
pretty  serious  affair,  and  is  punishable  with  both  fine  and 
imprisonment." 

"  Imprisonment !  "  repeated  Oliver  ;  "  imprison  the 
Leather-Stocking  !  no,  no,  sir  ;  it  would  bring  the  old  man 
to  his  grave.  They  shall  never  imprison  the  Leather* 
Stocking." 

"  Well,  Mr.  Edwards,"  said  Lippet,  dropping  all  reserve 


316  THE  PIONEERS. 

from  his  manner,  "  you  are  called  a  curious  man  ;  but  il 
you  can  tell  me  how  a  jury  is  to  be  prevented  from  finding 
a  verdict  of  guilty,  if  this  ease  comes  fairly  before  them, 
and  the  proof  is  clear,  I  shall  acknowledge  that  you  know 
more  law  than  I  do,  who  have  had  a  license  in  my  pocket 
for  three  years." 

By  this  time  the  reason  of  Edwards  was  getting  the  as- 
cendency  of  his  feelings,  and,  as  he  began  to  see  the  real 
difficulties  of  the  case,  he  listened  more  readily  to  the  con- 
versation of  the  lawyer.  The  ungovernable  emotion  that 
escaped  the  youth,  in  the  first  moments  of  his  surprise,  en- 
tirely passed  away  ;  and,  although  it  was  still  evident  that 
he  continued  to  be  much  agitated  by  what  he  had  heard, 
he  succeeded  in  yielding  forced  attention  to  the  advice 
which  the  other  uttered. 

Notwithstanding  the  confused  state  of  his  mind,  Oliver 
soon  discovered  that  most  of  the  expedients  of  the  lawyer 
were  grounded  in  cunning,  and  plans  that  required  a  time 
to  execute  them  that  neither  suited  his  disposition  nor  his 
necessities.  After,  however,  giving  Mr.  Lippet  to  under- 
stand that  he  retained  him  in  the  event  of  a  trial,  an  assur- 
ance that  at  once  satisfied  the  lawyer,  they  parted,  one  tak- 
ing his  course  with  a  deliberate  tread,  in  the  direction  of 
the  little  building  that  had  a  wooden  sign  over  its  door, 
with  "Chester  Lippet,  Attorney-at-law,"  painted  on  it; 
and  the  other  pacing  over  the  ground  with  enormous 
strides  toward  the  mansion-house.  We  shall  take  leave  of 
the  attorney  for  the  present,  and  direct  the  attention  of 
the  reader  to  the  client. 

When  Edwards  entered  the  hall,  whose  enormous  doors 
were  opened  to  the  passage  of  the  air  of  a  mild  evening, 
he  found  Benjamin  engaged  in  some  of  his  domestic  avo- 
cations, and  in  a  hurried  voice  inquired  where  Judge  Tem- 
ple, was  to  be  found. 

"  Why,  the  Judge  has  stept  into  his  office,  with  that  mas- 
ter carpenter,  Mister  Doolittle  ;  but  Miss  Lizzy  is  in  that 
there  parlor.  I  say,  Master  Oliver,  we'd  like  to  have  had 
a  bad  job  of  that  panther,  or  painter's  work — some  calls  it 
one,  and  some  calls  it  t'other — but  I  know  little  of  the 
beast,  seeing  that  it  is  not  of  British  growth.  I  said  as 
much  as  that  it  was  in  the  hills  the  last  winter  ;  for  I  heard 
it  moaning  on  the  lake  shore  one  evening  in  the  fall,  when 
I  was  pulling  down  from  the  fishing-point  in  the  skiff. 
Had  the  animal  come  into  open  water,  where  a  man  could 


THE  PIONEERS.  317 

see  where  and  how  to  work  his  vessel,  I  would  have  en- 
gaged the  thing  myself  ;  but  looking  aloft  among  the  trees 
is  all  the  same  to  me  as  standing  on  the  deck  of  one  ship, 
and  looking  at  another  vessel's  tops.  I  never  can  tell  one 
rope  from  another " 

"Well,  well,"  interrupted  Edwards;  "I  must  see  Miss 
Temple." 

"And  you  shall  see  her,  sir,"  said  the  steward  ;  "she's 
in  this  here  room.  Lord,  Master  Edwards,  what  a  loss 
she'd  have  been  to  the  Judge  !  Dam'me  if  I  know  where 
he  would  have  gotten  such  another  daughter  ;  that  is,  full 
grown,  d'ye  see.  I  say,  sir,  this  Master  Bumppo  is  a  worthy 
man,  and  seems  to  have  a  handy  way  with  him,  with  fire- 
arms and  boat-hooks.  I'm  his  friend,  Master  Oliver,  and 
he  and  you  may  both  set  me  down  as  the  same." 

"  We  may  want  your  friendship,  my  worthy  fellow,"  cried 
Edward,  squeezing  his  hand  convulsively  ;  "we  may  want 
your  friendship,  in  which  case  you  shall  know  it." 

Without  waiting  to  hear  the  earnest  reply  that  Benjamin 
meditated,  the  youth  extricated  himself  from  the  vigorous 
grasp  of  the  steward,  and  entered  the  parlor. 

Elizabeth  was  alone,  and  still  reclining  on  the  sofa,  where 
we  last  left  her.  A  hand,  which  exceeded  all  that  the  in- 
genuity of  art  could  model,  in  shape  and  color,  veiled  her 
eyes  ;  and  the  maiden  was  sitting  as  if  in  deep  communion 
with  herself.  Struck  by  the  attitude  and  loveliness  of  the 
form  that  met  his  eye,  the  young  man  checked  his  impa- 
tience, and  approached  her  with  respect  and  caution. 

"Miss  Temple — Miss  Temple,"  he  said,  "  I  hope  I  do 
not  intrude  ;  but  I  am  anxious  for  an  interview,  if  it  be 
only  for  a  moment." 

Elizabeth  raised  her  face,  and  exhibited  her  dark  eyes 
swimming  in  moisture. 

"  Is  it  you,  Edwards  ?  "  she  said,  with  a  sweetness  in  her 
voice,  and  a  softness  in  her  air,  that  she  often  used  to  her 
father,  but  which,  from  its  novelty  to  himself,  thrilled  on 
every  nerve  of  the  youth  ;  "  how  left  you  our  poor  Louisa  ?  " 

"  She  is  with  her  father,  happy  and  grateful,"  said  Oliver. 
"  I  never  witnessed  more  feeling  than  she  manifested, 
when  I  ventured  to  express  my  pleasure  at  her  escape. 
Miss  Temple,  when  I  first  heard  of  your  horrid  situation, 
my  feelings  were  too  powerful  for  utterance  ;  and  I  did 
not  properly  find  my  tongue,  until  the  walk  to  Mr.  Grant's 
had  given  me  time  to  collect  myself.  I  believe — I  do  be- 


£T8  THE  PIONEERS. 

lieve;  I  acquitted  myself  better  there,  for  Miss  Grant  even 
wept  at  my  silly  speeches." 

For  a  moment  Elizabeth  did  not  reply,  but  again  veiled 
her  eyes  with  her  hand.  The  feeling  that  caused  the  ac- 
tion, however,  soon  passed  away,  and,  raising  her  face  again 
to'his  gaze,  she  continued,  with  a  smile  : 

4<  Your  friend,  the  Leather-Stocking,  has  now  become 
my  friend,  Edwards  ;  I  have  been  thinking  how  I  can  best 
serve  him  ;  perhaps  you,  who  know  his  habits  and  his  wants 
so  well,  can  tell  me " 

"I  can,"  cried  the  youth,  with  an  impetuosity  that 
startled  his  companion.  "  I  can,  and  may  Heaven  reward 
you  for  the  wish.  Natty  has  been  so  imprudent  as  to  for- 

?et  the  law,  and  has  this  day  killed  a  deer.  Nay,  I  believe 
must  share  in  the  crime  and  the  penalty,  for  I  was  an 
accomplice  throughout.  A  complaint  has  been  made  to 
your  father,  and  he  has  granted  a  search " 

"I  know  it  all,"  interrupted  Elizabeth  ;  "  I  know  it  all. 
The  forms  of  the  law  must  be  complied  with,  however  ;  the 
search  must  be  made,  the  deer  found,  and  the  penalty  paid. 
But  I  must  retort  your  own  question.  Have  you  lived  so 
long  in  our  family  not  to  know  us  ?  Look  at  me,  Oliver 
Edwards.  Do  I  appear  like  one  who  would  permit  the 
man  that  has  just  saved  her  life  to  linger  in  a  jail  for  so 
small  a  sum  as  this  fine  ?  No,  no,  sir  ;  my  father  is  a 
judge,  but  he  is  a  man  and  a  Christian.  It  is  all  under- 
stood, and  no  harm  shall  follow." 

"  What  a  load  of  apprehension  do  your  declarations  re- 
move !"  exclaimed  Edwards  :  "  He  shall  not  be  disturbed 
again !  your  father  will  protect  him  !  I  have  your  assur- 
ance, Miss  Temple,  that  he  will,  and  I  must  believe  it." 

"You  may  have  his  own,  Mr.  Edwards,"  returned  Eliza- 
beth, "  for  here  he  comes  to  make  it." 

But  the  appearance  of  Marmaduke,  who  entered  the 
apartment,  contradicted  the  flattering  anticipations  of  his 
daughter.  His  brow  was  contracted,  and  his  manner  dis- 
turbed. Neither  Elizabeth  nor  the  youth  spoke  ;  but  the 
Judge  was  allowed  to  pace  once  or  twice  across  the  room 
without  interruption,  when  he  cried  : 

"Our  plans  are  defeated,  girl:  the  obstinacy  of  the 
Leather-Stocking  has  brought  down  the  indignation  of  the 
law  on  his  head,  and  it  is  now  out  of  my  power  to  avert  it." 

"How?  in  what  manner?"  cried  Elizabeth;  "the  fine 
is  nothing  surely " 


THE  PIONEERS.  319 

"  I  did  not — I  could  not  anticipate  that  an  old,  a  friend- 
less man  like  him,  would  dare  to  oppose  the  officers  of 
justice,"  interrupted  the  Judge;  "I  supposed  that  he 
would  submit  to  the  search  when  the  fine  could  have  been 
paid,  and  the  law  would  have  been  appeased  ;  but  now  he 
will  have  to  meet  its  rigor." 

"And  what  must  the  punishment  be,  sir?  "asked  Ed-- 
wards, struggling  to  speak  with  firmness. 

Marmaduke  turned  quickly  to  the  spot  where  the  youth 
had  withdrawn,  and  exclaimed  : 

"  You  here  !  I  did  not  observe  you.  I  know  not  what  it 
will  be,  sir  ;  it  is  not  usual  for  a  judge  to  decide  until  he 
has  heard  the  testimony,  and  the  jury  have  convicted.  Of 
one  thing,  however,  you  may  be  assured,  Mr.  Edwards  ; 
it  shall  be  whatever  the  law  demands,  notwithstanding  any 
momentary  weakness  I  may  have  exhibited,  because  the 
luckless  man  has  been  of  such  eminent  service  to  my 
daughter." 

"  No  one,  I  believe,  doubts  the  sense  of  justice  which 
Judge  Temple  entertains  ! "  returned  Edwards,  bitterly. 
"  But  let  us  converse  calmly,  sir.  Will  not  the  years,  the 
habits,  nay  the  ignorance  of  my  ojd  friend,  avail  him  any- 
thing against  this  charge  ?  " 

"  Ought  they  ?  They  may  extenuate,  but  can  they  ac- 
quit ?  Would  any  society  be  tolerable,  young  man,  where 
the  ministers  of  justice  are  to  be  opposed  by  men  armed 
with  rifles  ?  Is  it  for  this  that  I  have  tamed  the  wilder- 
ness ? " 

"  Had  you  tamed  the  beasts  that  so  lately  threatened 
the  life  of  Miss  Temple,  sir,  your  arguments  would  apply 
better." 

"  Edwards  !"  exclaimed  Elizabeth. 

"  Peace,  my  child,"  interrupted  the  father  ;  "the  youth 
is  unjust  ;  but  I  have  not  given  him  cause.  I  overlook 
thy  remark,  Oliver,  for  I  know  thee  to  be  the  friend  of 
Natty,  and  zeal  in  his  behalf  has  overcome  thy  discretion." 

"Yes,  he  is  my  friend,"  cried  Edwards,  "and  I  glory  in 
the  title.  He  is  simple,  unlettered,  even  ignorant  ;  preJHr 
diced,  perhaps,  though  I  feel  that  his  opinion  of  the 
world  is  too  true  ;  but  he  has  a  heart,  Judge  Temple,  that 
would  atone  for  a  thousand  faults  ;  he  knows  his  friends, 
and  never  deserts  them,  even  if  it  be  his  dog."  ' 

"  This  is  a  good  character,  Mr.  Edwards,"  returned 
Marmaduke,  mildly  ;  "  but  I  have  never  been  so  fortunate 


32o  THE  PIONEERS. 

as  to  secure  his  esteem,  for  to  me  he  has  been  uniformly 
repulsive  ;  yet  I  have  endured  it,  as  an  old  man's  whim. 
However,  when  he  appears  before  me,  as  his  judge,  he 
shall  find  that  his  former  conduct  shall  not  aggravate,  any 
more  than  his  recent  services  shall  extenuate,  his  crime." 

"  Crime  !  "  echoed  Edwards  :  "  is  it  a  crime  to  drive  a 
prying  miscreant  from  his  door?  Crime!  Oh,  no,  sir; 
if  there  be  a  criminal  involved  in  this  affair,  it  is  not  he." 

"And  who  may  it  be,  sir  ?"  asked  Judge  Temple,  facing 
the  agitated  youth,  his  features  settled  to  their  usual  com- 
posure. 

This  appeal  was  more  than  the  young  man  could  bear. 
Hitherto  he  had  been  deeply  agitated  by  his  emotions  ; 
but  now  the  volcano  burst  its  boundaries. 

"  Who  !  and  this  to  me  !  "  he  cried  ;  "  ask  your  own  con- 
science, Judge  Temple.  Walk  to  that  door,  sir,  and  look 
out  upon  the  valley,  that  placid  lake,  and  those  dusky 
mountains,  and  say  to  your  own  heart,  if  heart  you  have, 
whence  came  these  riches,  this  vale,  those  hills,  and  why 
am  I  their  owner  ?  I  should  think,  sir,  that  the  appear- 
ance of  Mohegan  and  the  Leather-Stocking,  stalking 
through  the  country,  impoverished  and  forlorn,  would 
wither  your  sight." 

Marmaduke  heard  this  burst  of  passion,  at  first,  with  deep 
amazement ;  but  when  the  youth  had  ended,  he  beckoned 
to  his  impatient  daughter  for  silence,  and  replied  : 

"  Oliver  Edwards,  thou  forgettest  in  whose  presence 
thou  standest.  I  have  heard,  young  man,  that  thou  claim- 
est  descent  from  the  native  owners  of  the  soil ;  but  surely 
thy  education  has  been  given  thee  to  no  effect,  if  it  lias 
not  taught  thee  the  validity  of  the  claims  that  have  trans- 
ferred the  title  to  the  whites.  These  lands  are  mine  by 
the  very  grants  of  thy  ancestry,  if  thou  art  so  descended  ; 
and  I  appeal  to  Heaven  for  a  testimony  of  the  uses  I  have 
put  them  to.  After  this  language,  we  must  separate.  I 
have  too  long  sheltered  thee  in  my  dwelling ;  but  the  time 
has  arrived  when  thou  must  quit  it.  Come  to  my  office, 
and  I  will  discharge  the  debt  I  owe  thee.  Neither  shall 
thy  present  intemperate  language  mar  thy  future  fortunes, 
if  'thou  wilt  hearken  to  the  "advice  of  one  who  is  by  many 
years  thy  senior." 

The  ungovernable  feeling  that  caused  the  violence  of  the 
youth  had  passed  away,  and  he  stood  gazing  after  the  re- 
tiring figure  of  Marmaduke,  with  a  vacancy  in  his  eye  that 


THE  PIONEERS.  321 

denoted  the  absence  of  his  mind.  At  length  he  recollected 
himself,  and,  turning  his  head  slowly  around  the  apart- 
ment, he  beheld  Elizabeth,  still  seated  on  the  sofa,  but  with 
her  head  dropped  on  her  bosom,  and  j^er  face  again  con- 
cealed by  her  hands. 

"  Miss  Temple,"  he  said — all  violence  had  left  his  man- 
ner— "  Miss  Temple — I  have  forgotten  myself — forgotten 
you.  You  have  heard  what  your  father  has  decreed,  and 
this  night  I  leave  here.  With  you,  at  least,  I  would  part 
in  amity."  . 

Elizabeth  slowly  raised  her  face,  across  which  a  momen- 
tary expression  of  sadness  stole  ;  but  as  she  left  her  seat, 
her  dark  eyes  lighted  with  their  usual  fire,  her  cheek  flushed 
to  burning,  and  her  whole  air  seemed  to  belong  to  another 
nature. 

"  I  forgive  you,  Edwards,  and  my  father  will  forgive 
you,"  she  said,  when  she  reached  the  door.  "  You  do  not 
know  us,  but  the  time  may  come  when  your  opinions  shall 
change " 

"  Of  you  !  never  !  "  interrupted  the  youth  ;  "I " 

"  I  would  speak,  sir,  and  not  listen.  There  is  something 
in  this  affair  that  I  do  not  comprehend  ;  but  tell  the 
Leather-Stocking  he  has  friends  as  well  as  judges  in  us. 
Do  not  let  the  old  man  experience  unnecessary  uneasiness 
at  this  rupture.  It  is  impossible  that  you  could  increase 
his  claims  here  ;  neither  shall  they  be  diminished  by  any- 
thing you  have  said.  Mr.  Edwards,  I  wish  you  happiness, 
and  warmer  friends." 

The  youth  would  have  spoken,  but  she  vanished  from 
the  door  so  rapidly,  that  when  he  reached  the  hall  her  form 
was  nowhere  to  be  seen.  He  paused  a  moment,  in  stupor, 
and  then,  rushing  from  the  house,  instead  of  following 
Marmaduke  to  his  "office,"  he  took  his  way  directly  for 
the  cabin  of  the  hunters. 


CHAPTER    XXXII. 

"  Who  measured  earth,  described  the  starry  spheres, 
And  traced  the  long  records  of  lunar  years." — POPE. 

RICHARD  did  not  return  from  the  exercise  of  his  official 

duties  until  late  in  the  evening  of  the  following  day.     It 

had  been  one  portion  of  nis  business  to  superintend  the 

arrest  of  part  of  a  gang  of  counterfeiters,  that  had,  even  at 

21 


322  THE  PIONEERS. 

that  early  period,  buried  themselves  in  the  woods,  to  manu- 
facture their  h^.se  coin,  which  they  afterward  circulated 
from  one  end  of  the  Union  to  the  other.  The  expedition 
had  been  completely  successful,  and  about  midnight  the 
sheriff  entered  the  village,  at  the  head  off  a  posse  of  dep- 
uties and  constables,  in  the  centre  of  whom  rode,  pinioned, 
four  of  the  malefactors.  At  the  gate  of  the  mansien-house 
they  separated,  Mr.  Jones  directing  his  assistants  to  pro- 
ceed with  their  charge  to  the  county  jail,  while  he  pursued 
his  own  way  up  the,  gravel  walk,  with  the  kind  of  self-satis- 
faction that  a  man  of  his  organization  would  feel,  who  had 
really  for  once  done  a  very  clever  thing. 

"  Holla!  Aggy!"  shouted  the  sheriff,  when  he  reached 
the  door  ;  ll  where  are  you,  you  black  dog  ?  will  you  keep 
me  here  in  the  dark  all  night  ?  Holla  !  Aggy !  Brave  ! 
Brave  !  hoy,  hoy — where  have  you  got  to  Brave  ?  Off  his 
watch  !  Everybody  is  asleep  but  myself  !  poor  I  must  keep 
my  eyes  open,  that  others  may  sleep  in  safety  Brave  ! 
Brave  !  Well,  I  will  say  this  for  the  dog,  lazy  as  he's  grown, 
that  it  is  the  first  time  I  ever  knew  him  to  let  anyone  come 
to  the  door  after  dark,  without  having  a  smell  to  know 
whether  it  was  an  honest  man  or  not.  He  could  tell  by 
his  nose,  almost  as  well  as  I  could  myself  by  looking  at 
them.  Holla  !  you  Agamemnon  !  where  are  you  ?  Oh  / 
here  comes  the  dog  at  last." 

By  this  time  the  sheriff  had  dismounted,  and  observed  a 
form,  which  he  supposed  to  be  that  of  Brave,  slowly  creep- 
ing out  of  the  kennel  ;  when,  to  his  astonishment,  it  reared 
itself  on  two  legs  instead  of  four,  and  he  was  able  to  distin- 
guish, by  the  starlight,  the  curly  head  and  dark  visage  of 
the  negro. 

"  Ha !  what  the  devil  are  you  doing  there,  you  black 
rascal  ? "  he  cried.  "  Is  it  not  hot  enough  for  your  Guinea 
blood  in  the  house  this  warm  night,  but  you  must  drive 
out  the  poor  dog,  and  sleep  in  his  straw  ? " 

By  this  time  the  boy  was  quite  awake,  and,  with  a  blub- 
bering whine,  he  attempted  to  reply  to  his  master. 

"  Oh  !  masser  Richard  !  masser  Richard  !  such  a  ting! 
such  a  ting  !  I  nebber  tink  a  could  'appen  !  neber  tink  he 
die!  Oh,  Lor-a-gor !  ain't  bury — keep  'em  till  masser 
Richard  get  back— got  a  grabe  dug " 

Here  the  feelings  of  the  negro  completely  got  the  mastery, 
and,  instead  of  making  any  intelligible  explanation  of  the 
causes  of  his  grief,  he  blubbered  aloud. 


THE  PIONEERS.  323 

"  Eh  !  what  !  buried  !  grave  !  dead  !  "  exclaimed  Rich- 
ard, with  a  tremor  in  his  voice  ;  "  nothing  serious  ?  No- 
thing has  happened  to  Benjamin,  I  hope  ?  I  know  he  has 
been  bilious,  but  I  gave  him " 

"  Oh,  worser  'an  dat !  worser  'an  dat !  "  sobbed  the  negro. 
"Oh!  de  Lor!  Miss  'Lizzy  an'  Miss  Grant — walk — 
mountain — poor  Bravy  ! — kill  a  lady — painter — Oh,  Lor? 
Lor  ! — Natty  Bumppo — tare  he  troat  open — come  a  see, 
masser  Richard — here  he  be — here  he  be." 

As  all  this  was  perfectly  inexplicable  to  the  sheriff,  he 
was  very  glad  to  wait  patiently  until  the  black  brought  a 
lantern  from  the  kitchen,  when  he  followed  Aggy  to  the 
kennel,  where  he  beheld  poor  Brave,  indeed,  lying  in  his 
blood,  stiff  and  cold,  but  decently  covered  with  the  great- 
coat of  the  negro.  He  was  on  the  point  of  demanding  an 
explanation  ;  but  the  grief  of  the  black,  who  had  fallen 
asleep  on  his  voluntary  watch,  having  burst  out  afresh  on 
his  waking,  utterly  disqualified  the  lad  from  giving  one. 
Luckily,  at  this  moment  the  principal  door  of  the  house 
opened,  and  the  coarse  features -of  Benjamin  were  thrust 
over  the  threshold,  with  a  candle  elevated  above  them, 
shedding  its  dim  rays  around  in  such  a  manner  as  to  ex- 
hibit the  lights  and  shadows  of  his  countenance.  Richard 
threw  his  bridle  to  the  black,  and,  bidding  him  look  to  the 
horse,  he  entered  the  hall. 

"What  is  the  meaning  of  the  dead  dog?"  he  cried. 
"Where  is  Miss  Temple  ?" 

Benjamin  made  one  of  his  square  gestures,  with  the 
thumb  of  his  left  hand  pointing  over  his  right  shoulder, 
as  he  answered  : 

"Turned  in." 

"Judge  Temple — where  is  he  ?" 

"In  his  berth." 

"  But  explain  ;  why  is  Brave  dead  ?  and  what  is  the 
cause  of  Aggy's  grief  ? " 

"Why,  it's  all  down,  squire,"  said  Benjamin,  pointing 
to  a  slate  that  lay  on  the  table,  by  the  side  of  a  mug  of 
toddy,  a  short  pipe,  in  which  the  tobacco  was  yet  burning, 
and  a  prayer-book. 

Among  the  other  pursuits  of  Richard,  he  had  a  passion 
to  keep  a  register  of  all  passing  events  ;  and  his  diary, 
which  was  written  in  the  manner  of  a  journal,  or  log-book, 
embraced  not  only  such  circumstances  as  affected  himself, 
but  observations  on  the  weather,  and  all  the  occurrences 


324  THE  PIONEERS. 

of  the  family,  and  frequently  of  the  village.  Since  his  ap- 
pointment to  the  office  of  sheriff,  and  his  consequent  ab- 
sences from  home,  he  had  employed  Benjamin  to  make 
memoranda  on  a  slate,  of  whatever  might  be  thought  worth 
remembering,  which,  on  his  return,  were  regularly  trans- 
ferred to  the  journal  with  proper  notations  of  the  time, 
manner,  and  other  little  particulars.  There  wras,  to  be 
sure,  one  material  objection  to  the  clerkship  of  Benjamin, 
which  the  ingenuity  of  no  one  but  Richard  could  have 
overcome.  The  steward  read  nothing  but  his  prayer-book, 
and  that  only  in  particular  parts,  and  by  the  aid  of  a  good 
deal  of  spelling,  and  some  misnomers  ;  but  he  could  not 
form  a  single  letter  with  a  pen.  This  would  have  been  an 
insuperable  bar  to  journalizing  with  most  men  ;  but  Rich- 
ard invented  a  kind  of  hieroglyphical  character,  which 
was  intended  to  note  all  the  ordinary  occurrences  of  a 
day,  such  as  how  the  wind  blew,  whether  the  sun  shone, 
or  whether  it  rained,  the  hours,  etc.  ;  and  for  the  extra- 
ordinary, after  giving  certain  elementary  lectures  on  the 
subject,  the  sheriff  was  obliged  to  trust  to  the  ingenuity  of 
the  major-domo.  The  reader  will  at  once  perceive,  that 
it  was  to  this  chronicle  that  Benjamin  pointed,  instead  of 
directly  answering  the  sheriff's  interrogatory. 

When  Mr.  Jones  had  drunk  a  glass  of  toddy,  he  brought 
forth  from  its  secret  place  his  proper  journal,  and,  seating 
himself  by  the  table,  he  prepared  to  transfer  the  contents  of 
the  slate  to  the  paper,  at  the  same  time  that  he  appeased  his 
curiosity.  Benjamin  laid  one  hand  on  the  back  of  the 
sheriff's  chair,  in  a  familiar  manner,  while  he  kept  the 
other  at  liberty  to  make  use  of  a  forefinger,  that  was  bent 
like  some  of  his  own  characters,  as  an  index  to  point  out 
his  meaning. 

The  first  thing  referred  to  by  the  sheriff  was  the  diagram 
of  a  compass,  cut  in  one  corner  of  the  slate  for  permanent 
use.  The  cardinal  points  were  plainly  marked  on  it,  and 
all  the  usual  divisions  were  indicated  in  such  a  manner 
that  no  man  who  had  ever  steered  a  ship  could  mistake 
them. 

"  Oh!  "-said  the  sheriff,  settling  himself  down  comfort- 
ably in  his  chair,  "  you'd  the  wind  southeast  I  see,  all  last 
night ;  I  thought  it  would  have  blown  up  rain." 

"Devil  the  drop,  sir,"  said  Benjamin;  "I  believe  that 
the  scuttle-butt  up  aloft  is  emptied,  for  there  hasn't  so 
much  water  fell  in  the  country  for  the  last  three  weeks  as 


THE  PIONEERS.  325 

would  float  Indian  John's  canoe,  and  that  draws  just  one 
inch  nothing,  light." 

"  Well  but  didn't  the  wind  change  here  this  morning  ? 
there  was  a  change  where  I  was." 

"To  be  sure  it  did,  squire  ;  and  haven't  I  logged  it  as  a 
shift  of  wind  ?" 

"  I  don't  see  where,  Benjamin " 

"Don't  see  !  "  interrupted  the  steward,  a  little  crustily  ; 
"an't  there  a  mark  ag'in  east  and-by-nothe-half-nothe,  with 
sum'mat  like  a  rising  sun  at  the  end  of  it,  to  show  'twas  in 
the  morning  watch  ?  " 

"  Yes,  yes,  that  is  very  legible  ;  but  where  is  the  change 
noted  ? " 

"  Where  !  why  doesn't  it  see  this  here  tea-kettle,  with  a 
mark  run  from  the  spout  straight,  ;r  mayhap  a  little 
crooked  or  so,  into  west-and-by-southe-half-southe  ?  now  I 
call  this  a  shift  of  wind,  squire.  Well,  do  you  see  this  here 
boar's  head  that  you  made  for  me,  alongside  of  the  com- 
pass— 

"  Ay,  ay — Boreas — I  see.  Why,  you've  drawn  lines  from 
its  mouth,  extending  from  one  of  your  marks  to  the  other." 

"  It's  no  fault  of  mine,  Squire  Dickens  ;  'tis  your 

d d  climate.  The  wind  has  been  at  all  them  there 

marks  this  very  day  ;  and  that's  all  round  the  compass, 
except  a  little  matter  of  an  Irishman's  hurricane  at  merid- 
ium,  which  you'll  find  marked  right  up  and  down.  Now, 
I've  known  a  sow-wester  blow  for  three  weeks,  in  the 
channel,  with  a  clean  drizzle,  in  which  you  might  wash 
your  face  and  hands  without  the  trouble  of  hauling  in 
water  from  alongside." 

"Very  well,  Benjamin,"  said  the  sheriff,  writing  in  his 
journal ;  "  I  believe  I  have  caught  the  idea.  Oh  !  here's 
a  cloud  over  the  rising  sun — so  you  had  it  hazy  in  the 
morning  ?  " 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir,"  said  Benjamin. 

"Ah  !  it's  Sunday,  and  here  are  the  marks  for  the  length 
of  the  sermon — one,  two,  three,  four — what !  did  Mr.  Grant 
preach  forty  minutes  ?" 

"  Ay,  sum'mat  like  it  ;  it  was  a  good  half-hour  by  my 
own  glass,  and  then  there  was  the  time  lost  in  turning  it, 
and  some  little  allowance  for  leeway  in  not  being  over- 
smart  about  it." 

"  Benjamin,  this  is  as  long  as  a  Presbyterian  ;  you  never 
could  have  been  ten  minutes  in  turning  the  glass  !  " 


326  THE  PIONEERS. 

"Why,  do  you  see,  Squire,  the  parson  was  very  solemn, 
and  I  just  closed  my  eyes  in  order  to  think  the  better  with 
myself,  just  the  same  as  you'd  put  in  the  dead-lights  to 
make  all  snug,  and  when  I  opened  them  ag'in  I  found  the 
congregation  were  getting  under  weigh  for  home,  so  I 
calculated  the  ten  minutes  would  cover  the  leeway  after 
the  glass  was  out.  It  was  only  some  such  matter  as  a  cat's 
nap." 

"  Oh,  ho  !  master  Benjamin,  you  were  asleep,  were  you  ? 
but  I'll  set  down  no  such  slander  against  an  orthodox  di- 
vine." Richard  wrote  twenty  nine  minutes  in  his  journal, 
and  continued —  ''Why,  what's  this  you've  got  opposite 
ten  o'clock  A.  M.  ?  A  full  moon  !  had  you  a  moon  visible 
by  day  ?  I  have  heard  of  such  portents  before  now,  but 
— eh  !  what's  this  alongside  of  it  ?  an  hour-glass  ? " 

"That  !"  said  Benjamin,  looking  coolly  over  the  sher- 
iff's shoulder,  and  rolling  the  tobacco  about  in  his  mouth 
with  a  jocular  air  ;  "why,  that's  a  small  matter  of  my  own. 
It's  no  moon,  squire,  but  only  Betty  Hollister's  face  ;  for, 
d'ye  see,  sir,  hearing  all  the  same  as  if  she  had  got  up  a 
new  cargo  of  Jamaiky  from  the  river,  I  called  in  as  I  was 
roing  to  the  church  this  morning — ten  A.  M.  was  it  ? — just 
the  time — and  tried  a  glass  ;  and  so  I  logged  it,  to  put  me 
in  mind  of  calling  to  pay  her  like  an  honest  man." 

"That  was  it,  was  it?"  said  the  sheriff,  with  some  dis- 
pleasure at  this  innovation  on  his  .memoranda  ;  "  and 
could  you  not  make  a  better  glass  than  this  ?  it  looks  like 
a  death's-head  and  an  hour-glass." 

"  Why,  as  I  liked  the  stuff,  squire,"  returned  the  steward, 
"  I  turned  in,  homeward  bound,  and  took  t'other  glass, 
which  I  set  down  at  the  bottom  of  the  first,  and  that  gives 
the  thing  the  shape  it  has.  But  as  I  was  there  again  to- 
night, and  paid  for  the  three  at  once,  your  honor  may  as 
v.-'jll  run  the  sponge  over  the  whole  business." 

"  I  will  buy  you  a  slate  for  your  own  affairs,  Benjamin," 
said  the  sheriff  ;  "  I  don't  like  to  have  the  journal  marked 
over  in  this  manner." 

"You  needn't — you  needn't,  squire  ;  for,  seeing  that  I 
was  likely  to  trade  often  with  the  woman  while  this  barrel 
lasted,  I've  opened  a  fair  account  with  Betty,  and  she  keeps 
her  marks  on  the  back  of  her  bar-door,  and  I  keeps  the 
tally  on  this  here  bit  of  a  stick." 

As  Benjamin  concluded  he  produced  a  piece  of  wood, 
on  which  five  very  large,  honest  notches  were  apparent 


THE  PION'EERS.  327 

The  sheriff  cast  his  eyes  on  this  new  ledger  for  a  moment, 
and  continued  : 

"  What  have  we  here  !  Saturday,  two  p.  M. — Why  here'? 
a  whole  family  piece  !  two  wineglasses  upside-down  !  " 

"  That's  two  women  ;  the  one  this  a-way  is  Miss  'Lizzy, 
and  t'other  is  the  parson's  young  'un." 

"  Cousin  Bess  and  Miss  Grant !  "  exclaimed  the  sheriff 
in  amazement ;  "what  have  they  to  do  with  my  journal  ?'; 

"  They'd  enough  to  do  to  get  out  of  the  jaws  of  that  there 
painter  or  panther,"  said  the  immovable  steward.  "This 
here  thingum'y,  squire,  that  maybe  looks  sum'mat  like 
a  rat  is  the  beast,  d'ye  see  ;  and  this  here  t'other  thing, 
keel  uppermost,  is  poor  old  Brave,  who  died  nobly,  all  the 
same,  as  an  admiral  fighting  for  his  king  and  country  ;  and 
that  there— 

"  Scarecrow,"  interrupted  Richard. 

"  Ay,  mayhap  it  do  look  a  little  wild  or  so,"  continued 
the  steward  ;  but  to  my  judgment,  squire,  it's  the  best  image 
I've  made,  seeing  it's  most  like  the  man  himself ;  well, 
that's  Natty  Bumppo,  who  shot  this  here  painter,  that 
killed  that  there  dog,  who  would  have  eaten  or  done  worse 
to  them  here  young  ladies." 

"And  what  the  devil  does  all  this  mean?"  cried  Rich- 
ard, impatiently. 

"  Mean  !  "  echoed  Benjamin  ;  "  it  is  as  true  as  the  Boad- 
ishey's  log  book " 

He  was  interrupted  by  the  sheriff,  who  put  a  few  direct 
questions  to  him,  that  obtained  more  intelligible  answers, 
by  which  means  he  became  possessed  of  a  tolerably-cor- 
rect idea  of  the  truth.  When  the  wonder,  and  we  must  do 
Richard  the  justice  to  say,  the  feelings  also,  that  were  cre- 
ated by  this  narrative,  had  in  some  degree  subsided,  the 
sheriff  turned  his  eyes  again  on  his  journal,  where  more 
inexplicable  hieroglyphics  met  his  view. 
'  "  What  have  we  here  ? "  he  cried  ;  "  two  men  boxing ! 
has  there  been  a  breach  of  the  peace  ?  ah,  that's  the  way, 
the  moment  my  back  is  turned " 

"  That's  the  Judge  and  young  Master  Edwards,"  inter- 
rupted the  steward,  very  cavalierly. 

"How  !  'duke  fighting  with  Oliver!  what  the  devil  has 
got  into  you  all  ?  more  things  have  happened  within  the 
last  thirty-six  hours  than  in  the  preceding  six  months." 

"  Yes,  it's  so  indeed,  squire,"  returned  the  steward  ;  "  I've 
known  a  smart  chase,  and  a  fight  at  the  tail  of  it,  where 


32$  THE  PIONEERS. 

less  has  been  logged  than  I've  got  on  that  there  slate. 
Howsomnever,  they  didn't  come  to  facers,  only  passed  a 
little  jaw  fore  and  aft." 

"  Explain  !  explain  ? "  cried  Richard  ;  "  it  was  about  the 
mines,  ha ! — ay,  ay,  I  see  it,  I  see  it  ;  here  is  a  man  with  a 
pick  on  his  shoulder.  So  you  heard  it  all,  Benjamin  ? " 

"Why,  yes,  it  was  about  their  minds,  I  believe,  squire," 
returned  the  steward ;  "  and,  by  what  I  can  learn,  they 
spoke  them  pretty  plainly  to  one  another.  Indeed,  I  may 
say  that  I  overheard  a  small  matter  of  it  myself,  seeing 
that  the  windows  was  open,  and  I  hard  by.  But  this  here 
is  no  pick,  but  an  anchor  on  a  man's  shoulder ;  and  here's 
the  other  fluke  down  his  back,  maybe  a  little  too  close, 
which  signifies  that  the  lad  has  got  under  weigh  and  left 
his  moorings." 

"  Has  Edwards  left  the  house  ?" 

"He  has." 

Richard  pursued  this  advantage  ;  and,  after  a  long  and 
close  examination,  he  succeeded  in  getting  out  of  Benja- 
min all  that  he  knew,  not  only  concerning  the  misunder- 
standing, but  of  the  attempt  to  search  the  hut,  and  Hiram's 
discomfiture.  The  sheriff  was  no  sooner  possessed  of  these 
facts,  which  Benjamin  related  with  all  possible  tenderness 
to  the  Leather-Stocking,  than,  snatching  up  his  hat,  and 
bidding  the  astonished  steward  secure  the  doors  and  go  to 
his  bed,  he  left  the  house. 

For  at  least  five  minutes  after  Richard  disappeared, 
Benjamin  stood  with  his  arms  a-kimbo,  and  his  eyes  fas- 
tened on  the  door  ;  when,  having  collected  his  astonished 
faculties,  he  prepared  to  execute  the  orders  he  had  received. 

It  has  been  already  said  that  the  "  court  of  common  pleas 
and  general  sessions  of  the  peace,"  or,  as  it  is  commonly 
called,  the  "  county  court,"  over  which  Judge  Temple  pre- 
sided, held  one  of  its  stated  sessions  on  the  following  morn- 
ing. The  attendants  of  Richard  were  officers  who  had 
come  to  the  village,  as  much  to  discharge  their  usual  du- 
ties at  this  court,  as  to  escort  the  prisoners  ;  and  the  sheriff 
knew  their  habits  too  well,  not  to  feel  confident  that  he 
should  find  most,  if  not  all  of  them,  in  the  public  room  of 
the  jail,  discussing  the  qualities  of  the  keeper's  liquors, 
Accordingly  he  held  his  way  through  the  silent  streets  of 
the  village,  directly  to  the' small  and  insecure  building  that 
contained  all  the  unfortunate  debtors,  and  some  of  the 
criminals  of  the  county,  and  where  justice  was  administered 


THE  PIONEERS.  329 

to  such  unwary  applicants  as  were  so  silly  as  to  throw 
away  two  dollars  in  order  to  obtain  one  from  their  neigh- 
bors. The  arrival  of  four  malefactors  in  the  custody  of  a 
dozen  officers,  was  an  event,  at  that  day,  in  Templeton  ; 
and,  when  the  sheriff  reached  the  jail,  he  found  every  in- 
dication that  his  subordinates  intended  to  make  a  night 
of  it. 

The  nod  of  the  sheriff  brought  two  of  his  deputies  to  the 
door,  who  in  their  turn  drew  off  six  or  seven  of  the  con- 
stables. With  this  force  Richard  led  the  way  through  the 
village,  toward  the  bank  of  the  lake,  undisturbed  by  any 
noise,  except  the  barking  of  one  or  two  curs,  who  were 
alarmed  by  the  measured  tread  of  the  party,  and  by  the  low 
murmurs  that  ran  through  their  own  numbers,  as  a  few 
cautious  questions  and  answers  were  exchanged,  relative 
to  the  object  of  their  expedition.  When  they  had  crossed 
the  little  bridge  of  hewn  logs  that  was  thrown  over  the 
Susquehanna,  they  left  the  highway,  and  struck  into  that 
field  which  had  been  thq  scene  of  the  victory  over  the 
pigeons.  From  this  they  followed  their  leader  into  the  low 
bushes  of  pines  and  chestnuts  which  had  sprung  up  along 
the  shores  of  the  lake,  where  the  plough  had  not  succeeded 
the  fall  of  the  trees,  and  soon  entered  the  forest  itself. 
Here  Richard  paused  and  collected  his  troop  around  him. 

"  I  have  required  your  assistance,  my  friends,"  he  cried, 
in  a  low  voice,  "  in  order  to  arrest  Nathaniel  Bumppo, 
commonly  called  the  Leather-Stocking.  He  has  assaulted 
a  magistrate,  and  resisted  the  execution  of  a  search-war- 
rant, by  threatening  the  life  of  a  constable  with  his  rifle. 
In  short,  my  friends,  he  has  set  an  example  of  rebellion 
to  the  laws,  and  has  become  a  kind  of  outlaw.  He  is  sus- 
pected of  other  misdemeanors  and  offences  against  private 
rights  ;  and  I  have  this  night  taken  on  myself,  by  the  vir- 
tue of  my  office  as  sheriff,  to  arrest  the  said  Bumppo,  and 
bring  him  to  the  county  jail,  that  he  may  be  present  and 
forthcoming  to  answer  to  these  heavy  charges  before  the 
court  to-morrow  morning.  In  executing  this  duty,  friends 
and  fellow-citizens,  you  are  to  use  courage  and  discretion : 
courage,  that  you  may  not  be  daunted  by  any  lawless  at- 
tempts that  this  man  may  make  with  his  rifle  and  his  dogs 
to  oppose  you  ;  and  discretion,  which  here  means  caution 
and  prudence,  that  he  may  not  escape  from  this  sudden 
attack — and  for  other  good  reasons  that  I  need  not  men- 
tion. You  will  form  yourselves  in  a  complete  circle  around 


330  THE  PIONEERS. 

his  hut,  and  at  the  word  '  advance,'  called  aloud  by  me, 
you  will  rush  forward,  and,  without  giving  the  criminal 
time  for  deliberation,  enter  his  dwelling  by  force,  and  make 
him  your  prisoner.  Spread  yourselves  for  this  purpose, 
while  I  shall  descend  to  the  shore  with  a  deputy,  to  take 
charge  of  that  point  ;  and  all  communications  must  be 
made  directly  to  me,  under  the  bank  in  front  of  the  hut, 
where  I  shall  station  myself  and  remain,  in  order  to  re- 
ceive them." 

This  speech,  which  Richard  had  been  studying  during 
his  walk,  had  the  effect  that  all  similar  performances  pro- 
duce, of  bringing  the  dangers  of  the  expedition  imme- 
diately before  the  eyes  of  his  forces.  The  men  divided, 
some  plunging  deeper  into  the  foresjt,  in  order  to  gain  their 
stations  without  giving  an  alarm,  and  others  continuing  to 
advance,  at  a  gait  that  would  allow  the  whole  party  to  go 
in  order  ;  but  ail  devising  the  best  plan  to  repulse  the  at- 
tack of  a  dogr  or  to  escape  a  rifle  bullet.  It  was  a  moment 
of  dread  expectation  and  interest. 

When  the  sheriff  thought  time  enough  had  elapsed  for 
the  different  divisions  of  his  force  to  arrive  at  their  sta- 
tions, he  raised  his  voice  in  the  silence  of  the  forest,  and 
shouted  the  watchword.  The  sounds  played  among  the 
arched  branches  of  the  trees  in  hollow  cadences  ;  but 
when  the  last  sinking  tone  was  lost  on  the  ear,  in  place 
of  the  expected  howls  of  the  dogs,  no  other  noises  were 
returned  but  the  crackling  of  torn  branches  and  dried 
sticks,  as  they  yielded  before  the  advancing  steps  of  the 
officers.  Even  this  soon  ceased,  as  if  by  a  common  con- 
sent, when  the  curiosity  and  impatience  of  the  sheriff  get- 
ting the  complete  ascendency  over  discretion,  he  rushed 
up  the  bank,  and  in  a  moment  stood  on  the  little  piece  of 
cleared  ground  in  front  of  the  spot  where  Natty  had  so 
long  lived.  To  his  amazement,  in  place  of  the  hut  he  saw 
only  its  smoldering  ruins. 

The  party  gradually  drew  together  about  the  heap  of 
ashes  and  the  ends  of  smoking  logs  ;  while  a  dim  flame  in 
the  centre  of  the  ruin,  which  still  found  fuel  to  feed  its 
lingering  life,  threw  its  pale  light,  flickering  with  the  pass- 
ing currents  of  the  air,  around  the  circle — now  showing  a 
face  with  eyes  fixed  in  astonishment,  and  then  glancing  to 
another  countenance,  leaving  the  former  shaded  in  the 
oDscurity  of  night.  Not  a  voice  was  raised  in  inquiry,  nor 
an  exclamation  made  in  astonishment.  The  transition 


THE  PIONEERS.  331 

from  excitement  to  disappointment  was  too  powerful  for 
speech  ;  and  even  Richard  lost  the  use  of  an  organ  that 
was  seldom  known  to  fail  him. 

The  whole  group  were  yet  in  the  fulness  of  their  sur- 
prise, when  a  tall  -form  stalked  from  the  gloom  into  the 
circle,  treading  down  the  hot  ashes  and  dying  embers  with 
callous  feet  ;  and,  standing  over  the  light,  lifted  his  cap, 
and  exposed  the  bare  head  and  weather-beaten  features  of 
the  Leather-Stocking.  For  a  moment  he  gazed  at  the 
dusky  figures  who  surrounded  him,  more  in  sorrow  than 
in  anger  before  he  spoke. 

"What  would  ye  with  an  old  and  helpless  man  ?"  he 
said.  "  You've  driven  God's  creaters  from  the  wilderness, 
where  His  providence  had  put  them  for  His  own  pleasure  ; 
and  you've  brought  in  the  troubles  and  divilties  of  the  law, 
where  no  man  was  ever  known  to  disturb  another.  You 
have  driven  me,  that  have  lived  forty  long  years  of  my  ap- 
pointed time  in  this  very  spot,  from  my  home  and  the 
shelter  of  my  head,  lest  you  should  put  your  wicked  feet 
and  wasty  ways  in  my  cabin.  You've  driven  me  to  burn 
these  logs,  under  which  I've  eaten  and  drunk — the  first  of 
Heaven's  gifts,  and  the  other  of  the  pure  springs — for  the 
half  of  a  hundred  years  ;  and  to  mourn  the  ashes  under 
my  feet,  as  a  man  would  weep  and  mourn  for  the  children 
of  his  body.  You've  rankled  the  heart  of  an  old  man,  that 
has  never  harmed  you  or  your'n,  with  bitter  feelings 
toward  his  kind,  at  a  time  when  his  thoughts  should  be  on 
a  better  world  ;  and  you've  driven  him  to  wish  that  the 
beasts  of  the  forest,  who  never  feast  on  the  blood  of  their 
own  families,  was  his  kindred  and  race  ;  and  now,  when 
he  has  come  to  see  the  last  brand  of  his  hut,  before  it  is 
melted  into  ashes,  you  follow  him  up,  at  midnight,  like 
hungry  hounds  on  the  track  of  a  worn-out  and  dying  deer. 
What  more  would  ye  have  ?  for  I  am  here — one  too  many. 
I  come  to  mourn,  not  to  fight ;  and,  if  it  is  God's  pleasure, 
work  your  will  on  me." 

When  the  old  man  ended  he  stood,  with  the  light  glim- 
mering around  his  thinly-cqvered  head,  looking  earnestly 
at  the  group,  which  receded  from  the  pile  with  an  involun- 
tary movement,  without  the  reach  of  the  quivering  rays, 
leaving  a  free  passage  for  his  retreat  into  the  bushes, 
where  pursuit  in  the  dark  would  have  been  fruitless 
Natty  seemed  not  to  regard  this  advantage,  but  stood  fac- 
ing each  individual  in  the  circle  in  succession,  as  if  to  see 


332  THE  PIONEERS. 

who  would  be  the  first  to  arrest  him.  After  a  pause  of  a 
few  moments  Richard  began  to  rally  his  confused  facul- 
ties, and,  advancing  apologized  for  his  duty,  and  made  him 
his  prisoner.  The  party  now  collected,  and,  preceded  by 
the  sheriff,  with  Natty  in  their  centre,  they  took  their  way 
towrard  the  village. 

During  the  walk,  divers  questions  were  put  to  the  pris- 
oner concerning  his  reasons  for  burning  the  hut,  and 
whither  Mohegan  had  retreated  ;  but  to  all  of  them  he  ob- 
served a  profound  silence,  until,  fatigued  with  their  prev- 
ious duties,  and  the  lateness  of  the  hour,  the  sheriff  and 
his  followers,  reached  the  village,  and  dispersed  to  their 
several  places  of  rest,  after  turning  the  key  of  a  jail  on  the 
aged  and  apparently  friendless  Leather-Stocking. 


CHAPTER   XXXIII. 

"  Fetch  here  the  stocks,  ho  ! 

You  stubborn  ancient  knave,  you  reverend  bragget, 
We'll  teach  you." — LEAR. 

THE  long  days  and  early  sun  of  July  allowed  time  for  a 
gathering  of  the  interested,  before  the  little  bell  of  the 
academy  announced  that  the  appointed  hour  had  arrived 
for  administering  right  to  the  wronged,  and  punishment  to 
the  guilty.  Ever  since  the  dawn  of  day,  the  highways  and 
woodpaths  that,  issuing  from  the  forests,  and  winding  along 
the  sides  of  the  mountains,  centred  in  Templeton,  had  been 
thronged  with  equestrians  and  footmen,  bound  to  the  haven 
of  justice.  T  here  was  to  be  seen  a  well-clad  yeoman, 
mounted  on  a  sleek,  switch-tailed  steed,  rambling  along  the 
highway,  with  his  red  face  elevated  in  a  manner  that  said, 
"I  have  paid  for  my  land,  and -fear  no  man  ;"  while  his 
bosom  was  swelling  with  the  pride  of  being  one  of  the 
grand  inquest  for  the  county.  At  his  side  rode  a  compan- 
ion, his  equal  in  independence  of  feeling,  perhaps,  but  his 
inferior  in  thrift,  as  in  property  and  consideration.  This 
was  a  professed  dealer  in  law-suits — a  man  whose  name 
appeared  in  every  calendar — whose  substance,  gained  in 
the  multifarious  expedients  of  a  settler's  changeable  habits, 
was  wasted  in  feeding  the  harpies  of  the  courts..  He  was 
endeavoring  to  impress  the  mind  of  the  grand  juror  with 
the  merits  of  a  cause  now  at  issue.  Along  with  these  was 


THE  PIONEERS.  333 

a  pedestrian,  who,  having  thrown  a  rifle  frock  over  his 
shirt,  and  placed  his  best  wool  hat  above  his  sunburnt  vis- 
sage,  had  issued  from  his  retreat  in  the  woods  by  a  foot- 
path, and  was  striving  to  keep  company  with  the  others, 
on  his  way  to  hear  and  to  decide  the  disputes  of  his  neigh- 
bors, as  a  petit  juror.  Fifty  similar  little  knots  of  country- 
men might  have  been  seen,  on  that  morning,  journeying 
toward  the  shire-town  on  the  same  errand. 

By  ten  o'clock  the  streets  of  the  village  were  filled  with 
busy  faces  ;  some  talking  of  their  private  concerns,  some 
listening  to  a  popular  expounder  of  political  creeds  ;  and 
others  gaping  in  at  the  open  stores,  admiring  the  finery,  or 
examining  scythes,  axes,  and  such  other  manufactures  as 
attracted  their  curiosity  or  excited  their  admiration.  A 
few  women  were  in  the  crowd,  most  carrying  infants,  and 
followed,  at  a  lounging,  listless  gait,  by  their  rustic  lords 
and  masters.  There  was  one  young  couple,  in  whom  con- 
nubial love  was  yet  fresh,  walking  at  a  respectful  distance 
from  each  other ;  while  the  swain  directed  the  timid  steps 
of  his  bride,  by  a  gallant  offering  of  a  thumb. 

At  the  first  stroke  of  the  bell,  Richard  issued  from  the 
door  of  the  "  Bold  Dragoon,"  flourishing  a  sheathed  sword, 
that  he  was  fond  of  saying  his  ancestors  had  carried  in  one 
of  Cromwell's  victories,  and  crying,  in  an  authoritative 
tone,  to  "  clear  the  way  for  the  court."  The  order  was 
obeyed  promptly,  though  not  servilely,  the  members  of 
the  crowd  nodding  familiarly  to  the  members  of  the  pro- 
cession as  it  passed.  A  party  of  constables  with  their 
staves  followed  the  sheriif,  preceding  Marmaduke,  and 
four  plain,  grave-looking  yeomen,  who  were  his  associates 
on  the  bench.  There  was  nothing  to  distinguish  these 
subordinate  judges  from  the  better  part  of  the  spectators, 
except  gravity,  which  they  affected  a  little  more  than  com- 
mon, and  that  one  of  their  number  was  attired  in  an  old- 
fashioned  military  coat,  with  skirts  that  reached  no  lower 
than  the  middle  of  his  thighs,  and  bearing  two  little  silver 
epaulets,  not  half  so  big  as  a  modern  pair  of  shoulder-knots. 
This  gentleman  was  a  colonel  of  the  militia,  in  attendance 
on  a  court-martial,  who  found  leisure  to  steal  a  moment 
from  his  military  to  attend  to  his  civil  jurisdiction  ;  but 
this  incongruity  excited  neither  notice  nor  comment. 
Three  or  four  clean-shaved  lawyers  followed,  as  meek  as  if 
they  were  lambs  going  to  the  slaughter.  One  or  two  of 
their  number  had  contrived  to  obtain  an  air  of  scholastic 


334  THE  PIONEERS. 

gravity  by  wearing  spectacles.  The  rear  was  brought  up 
by  another  posse  of  constables,  and  the  mob  followed  the 
whole  into  the  room  where  the  court  held  its  sittings. 

The  edifice  was  composed  of  a  basement  of  squared  logs, 
perforated  here  and  there  with  small  grated  windows, 
through  which  a  few  wistful  faces  were  gazing  at  the 
crowd  without.  Among  the  captives  were  the  guilty, 
downcast  countenances  of  the  counterfeiters,  and  the  sim- 
ple but  honest  features  of  the  Leather-Stocking.  The 
dungeons  were  to  be  distinguished,  externally,  from  the 
debtor's  apartments  only  by  the  size  of  the  apertures,  the 
thickness  of  the  grates,  and  by  the  heads  of  the  spikes  that 
were  driven  into  the  logs  as  a  protection  against  the  illegal 
use  of  edge-tools.  The  upper  story  was  of  framework, 
regularly  covered  with  boards,  and  contained  one  room 
decently  fitted  up  for  the  purpose  of  justice.  A  bench, 
raised  on  a  narrow  platform  to  the  height  of  a  man  above 
the  floor,  and  protected  in  front  by  a  light  railing,  ran 
along  one  of  its  sides.  In  the  centre  was  a  seat,  furnished 
with  rude  arms,  that  was  always  filled  by  the  presiding 
judge.  In  front,  on  a  level  with  the  floor  of  the  room, 
was  a  large  table  covered  with  green  baize,  and  surrounded 
by  benches  ;  and  at  either  of  its  ends  were  rows  of  seats, 
rising  one  over  the  other,  for  jury-boxes.  Each  of  these 
divisions  was  surrounded  by  a  railing.  The  remainder  of 
the  room  was  an  open  square,  appropriated  to  the  spec- 
tators. 

When  the  judges  were  seated,  the  lawyers  had  taken  pos- 
session of  the  table,  and  the  noise  of  moving  feet  had 
ceased  in  the  area,  the  proclamations  were  made  in  the 
usual  form,  the  jurors  were  sworn,  the  charge  was  given, 
and  the  court  proceeded  to  hear  the  business  before  them. 

We  shall  not  detain  the  reader  with  a  description  of  the 
captious  discussions  that  occupied  the  court  for  the  first 
two  hours.  Judge  Temple  had  impressed  on  the  jury,  in 
his  charge,  the  necessity  for  dispatch  on  their  part,  recom- 
mending to  their  notice,  from  motives  of  humanity,  the 
prisoners  in  the  jail  as  the  first  objects  of  their  attention. 
Accordingly,  after  the  period  we  have  mentioned  had 
elapsed,  the  cry  of  the  officer  to  "  clear  the  way  for  the 
grand  jury,"  announced  the  entrance  of  that  body.  The 
usual  forms  were  observed,  when  the  foreman  handed  up 
to  the  bench  two  bills,  on  both  of  which  the  Judge  ob- 
served, at  the  first  glance  of  his  eye,  the  name  of  Nathaniel 


THE  PIONEERS.  335 

Bumppo.  It  was  a  leisure  moment  with  the  court ;  some 
low  whispering  passed  between  the  bench,  and  the  sheriff, 
who  gave  a  signal  to  his  officers,  and  in  a  very  few  minutes 
the  silence  that  prevailed  was  interrupted  by  a  general 
movement  in  the  outer  crowd,  when  presently  the  Leather- 
Stocking  made  his  appearance,  ushered  into  the  criminal's 
bar  under  the  custody  of  two  constables.  The  hum  ceased, 
the  people  closed  into  the  open  space  again,  and  the  silence 
soon  became  so  deep  that  the  hard  breathing  of  the  pris- 
oner was  audible. 

Natty  was  dressed  in  his  buckskin  garments,  without 
his  coat,  in  place  of  which  he  wore  only  a  shirt  of  coarse 
linen-check,  fastened  at  his  throat  by  the  sinew  of  a  deer, 
leaving  his  red  neck  and  wTeather-beaten  face  exposed  and 
bare.  It  was  the  first  time  that  he  had  ever  crossed  the 
threshold  of  a  court  of  justice,  and  curiosity  seemed  to  be 
strongly  blended  with  his  personal  feelings.  He  raised 
his  eyes  to  the  bench,  thence  to  the  jury-boxes,  the  bar, 
and  the  crowd  without,  meeting  everywhere  looks  fastened 
on  himself.  After  surveying  his  own  person,  as  searching 
the  cause  of  this  unusual  attraction,  he  once  more  turned 
his  face  around  the  assemblage,  and  opened  his  mouth  in 
one  of  his  silent  and  remarkable  laughs. 

"  Prisoner,  remove  your  cap,"  said  Judge  Temple. 

The  order  was  either  unheard  or  unheeded. 

"  Nathaniel  Bumppo,  be  uncovered,"  repeated  the  Judge. 

Natty  started  at  the  sound  of  his  name,  and,  raising  his 
face  earnestly  toward  the  bench,  he  said  : 

"Anan  !" 

Mr.  Lippet  arose  from  his  seat  at  the  table,  and  whis- 
pered in  the  ear  of  the  prisoner  ;  when  Natty  gave  him  a 
nod  of  assent,  and  took  the  deer-skin  covering  from  his 
head. 

"  Mr.  District  Attorney,"  said  the  Judge,  "  the  prisoner 
is  ready  ;  we  wait  for  the  indictment." 

The  duties  of  public  prosecutor  were  discharged  by 
Dirck  Van  der  School,  who  adjusted  his  spectacles,  cast  a 
cautious  look  around  him  at  his  brethren  of  the  bar,  which 
he  ended  by  throwing  his  head  aside  so  as  to  catch  one 
glance  over  the  glasses,  when  he  proceeded  to  read  the  bill 
aloud.  It  was  the  usual  charge  for  an  assault  and  battery 
on  the  person  of  Hiram  Doolittle,  and  was  couched  in  the 
ancient  language  of  such  instruments,  especial  care  having 
been  taken  by  the  scribe  not  to  omit  the  name  of  a  single 


336  THE  PIONEERS. 

offensive  weapon  known  to  the  law.  When  he  had  done, 
Mr.  Van  der  School  removed  his  spectacles,  which  he 
closed  and  placed  in  his  pocket,  seemingly  for  the  pleasure 
of  again  opening  and  replacing  them  on  his  nose.  After 
this  evolution  was  repeated  once  or  twice,  he  handed  the 
bill  over  to  Mr.  Lippet,  with  a  cavalier  air,  that  said  as 
much  as  "  Pick  a  hole  in  that  if  you  can." 

Natty  listened  to  the  charge  with  great  attention,  lean- 
ing forward  toward  the  reader  with  an  earnestness  that  de- 
noted his  interest ;  and,  when  it  was  ended,  he  raised  his 
tall  body  to  the  utmost,  and  drew  a  long  sigh.  All  eyes 
were  turned  to  the  prisoner,  whose  voice  was  vainly  ex- 
pected to  break  the  stillness  of  the  room. 

"  You  have  heard  the  presentment  that  the  grand  jury 
have  made,  Nathaniel  Bumppo,"  said  the  Judge  ;  "what  do 
you  plead  to  the  charge  ? " 

The  old  man  dropped  his  head  for  a  moment  in  a  re- 
flecting attitude,  and  then,  raising  it,  he  laughed  before  he 
answered  : 

"That  I  handled  the  man  a  little  rough  or  so,  is  not  to 
be  denied  ;  but  that  there  was  occasion  to  make  use  of  all 
the  things  that  the  gentleman  has  spoken  of,  is  downright 
untrue.  I  am  not  much  of  a  wrestler  seeing  that  I'm  get- 
ting old  ;  but  I  was  out  among  the  Scotch-Irishers — let  me 
see — it  must  have  been  as  long  ago  as  the  first  year  of  the 
old  war " 

"  Mr.  Lippet,  if  you  are  retained  for  the  prisoner,"  in- 
terrupted Judge  Temple,  "  instruct  your  client  how  to 
plead  ;  if  not,  the  court  will  assign  him  counsel." 

Aroused  from  studying  the  indictment  by  this  appeal, 
the  attorney  got  up,  and  after  a  short  dialogue  with  the 
hunter  in  a  low  voice,  he  informed  the  court  that  they 
were  ready  to  proceed. 

"  Do  you  plead  guilty  or  not  guilty  ?"  said  the  Judge. 

"  I  may  say  not  guilty,  with  a  clean  conscience,"  returned 
Natty  ;  "  for  there's  no  guilt  in  doing  what's  right  ;  and  I'd 
rather  died  on  the  spot,  than  had  him  put  foot  in  the  hut 
at  that  moment." 

Richard  started  at  this  declaration,  and  bent  his  eyes 
significantly  on  Hiram,  who  returned  the  look  with  a  slight 
movement  of  his  eyebrows. 

"Proceed  to  open  the  cause,  Mr.  District  Attorney," 
continued  the  Judge.  "  Mr.  Clerk,  enter  the  plea  of  net 
guilty." 


THE  PIONEERS.  337 

After  a  short  opening  address  from  Mr.  Van  der  School, 
•Hiram  was  summoned  to  the  bar  to  give  his  testimony. 
It  was  delivered  to  the  letter,  perhaps,  but  with  all  that 
moral  coloring  which  can  be  conveyed  under  such  expres- 
sions as,  "thinking  no  harm,"  "feeling  it  my  bounden 
duty  as  a  magistrate,"  and  "  seeing  that  the  constable  was 
back'ard  in  the  business."  When  he  had  done,  and  the 
district  attorney  declined  putting  any  further  interroga- 
tories, Mr.  Lippet  arose,  with  an  air  of  keen  investigation 
and  asked  the  following  questions: 

"  Are  you  a  constable  of  this  county,  sir." 

"No,  sir,"  said  Hiram,  "I'm  only  a  justice-peace." 

"Task  you,  Mr.  Doolittle,  in  the  face  of  this  court,  put- 
ting it  to  your  conscience  and  your  knowledge  of  the  law, 
whether  you  had  any  right  to  enter  that  man's  dwelling  ?" 

*'  Hem  ! "  said  Hiram,  undergoing  a  violent  struggle  be- 
tween his  desire  for  vengeance  and  his  love  of  legal  fame  ; 
"I  do  suppose — that  in — that  is — strict  law — that  supposing 
— maybe  I  hadn't  a  real — lawful  right ;  but  as  the  case  was 
— and  Billy  was  so  back'ard — I  thought  I  might  come  for'- 
ard  in  the  business." 

"I  ask  you  again,  sir,"  continued  the  lawyer,  following 
up  his  success,  "whether  this  old,  this  friendless  old  man, 
did  or  did  not  repeatedly  forbid  your  entrance  ? " 

"  Why,  I  must  say,"  said  Hiram,  ''that  he  was  consider- 
able cross-grained  ;  not  what  I  call  clever,  seeing  that  it 
was  only  one  neighbor  wanting  to  go  into  the  house  of 
another." 

"  Oh  !  then  you  own  it  was  only  meant  for  a  neighborly 
visit  on  your  part,  and  without  the  sanction  of  law.  Re- 
member, gentleman,  the  words  of  the  witness,  'one  neigh- 
bor wanting  to  enter  the  house  of  another.'  Now,  sir,  I 
ask  you  if  Nathaniel  Bumppo  did  not  again  and  again 
order  you  not  to  enter  ? " 

"  There  was  some  words  passed  between  us,"  said  Hiram. 
"  but  I  read  the  warrant  to  him  aloud." 

"  I  repeat  my  question  ;  did  he  tell  you  not  to  enter  his 
habitation  ? " 

"  There  was  a  good  deal  passed  betwixt  us— but  I've  the 
warrant  in  my  pocket ;  maybe  the  court  would  wish  to  see 
it?" 

"Witness,"  said  Judge  Temple,  "answer  the  question 
directly  ;  did  or  did  not  the  prisoner  forbid  your  entering 
his  hut  ?" 

22 


338  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  Why,  I  some  think " 

"  Answer  without  equivocation,"  continued  the  Judge, 
sternly. 

"  He  did." 

"And  did  you  attempt  to  enter  after  this  order  ? " 

"  I  did  ;  but  the  warrant  was  in  my  hand." 

"  Proceed,  Mr.  Lippet,  with  your  examination." 

But  the  attorney  saw  that  the  impression  was  in  favor 
of  his  client,  and  waving  his  hand  with  a  supercilious  man- 
ner, as  if  unwilling  to  insult  the  understanding  of  the  jury 
with  any  further  defence,  he  replied  : 

"  No,  sir ;  I  leave  it  for  your  honor  to  charge  ;  I  rest 
my  case  here." 

"  Mr.  District  Attorney,"  said  the  Judge,  "  have  you 
anything  to  say  ?  " 

Mr.  Van  der  School  removed  his  spectacles,  folded  them 
and,  replacing  them  once  more  on  his  nose,  eyed  the  other 
bill  which  he  held  in  his  hand,  and  then  said,  looking  at 
the  bar  over  the  top  of  his  glasses : 

"  I  shall  rest  the  prosecution  here,  if  the  court  please." 

Judge  Temple  arose  and  begun  the  charge. 

"  Gentlemen  of  the  jury,"  he  said,  "  you  have  heard  the 
testimony,  and  I  shall  detain  you  but  a  moment.  If  an 
officer  meet  with  resistance  in  the  execution  of  a  process, 
he  has  an  undoubted  right  to  call  any  citizen  to  his  assist- 
ance ;  and  the  acts  of  such  assistant  come  within  the  pro- 
tection of  the  law.  I  shall  leave  you  to  judge,  gentlemen, 
from  the  testimony,  how  far  the  witness  in  this  prosecu- 
tion can  be  so  considered,  feeling  less  reluctance  to  submit 
the  case-thus  informally  to  your  decision,  because  there  is 
yet  another  indictment  to  be  tried,  which  involves  heavier 
charges  against  the  unfortunate  prisoner." 

The  tone  of  Marmaduke  was  mild  and  insinuating,  and, 
as  his  sentiments  were  given  with  such  apparent  impar- 
tiality, they  did  not  fail  of  carrying  due  weight  with  the 
jury.  The  grave-looking  yeomen  who  composed  this 
tribunal,  laid  their  heads  together  for  a  few  minutes,  with- 
out leaving  the  box,  when  the  foreman  arose,  and,  after 
the  forms  of  the  court  were  duly  observed,  he  pronounced 
the  prisoner  to  be 

"Not  guilty." 

"  You  are  acquitted  of  this  charge,  Nathaniel  Bumppo,* 
said  the  Judge. 

"  Anan  !  "  said  Natty. 


THE  PIONEERS.  339 

"You  are  found  not  guilty  of  striking  and  assaulting  Mr. 
Doolittle." 

"  No,  no,  I'll  not  deny  but  that  I  took  him  a  little  roughly 
by  the  shoulders,"  said  Natty,  looking  about  him  with  great 
simplicity,  "  and  that  I " 

"  You  are  acquitted,"  interrupted  the  Judge,  "and  there 
is  nothing  further  to  be  said  or  done  in  the  matter." 

A  look  of  joy  lighted  up  the  features  of  the  old  man, 
who  now  comprehended  the  case,  and,  placing  his  cap 
eagerly  on  his  head  again,  he  threw  up  the  bar  of  his  little 
prison,  and  said,  feelingly  : 

"  I  must  say  this  for  you,  Judge  Temple,  that  the  law 
has  not  been  so  hard  on  me  as  I  dreaded.  I  hope  God 
will  bless  you  for  the  kind  things  you've  done  to  me  this 
day." 

But  the  staff  of  the  constable  was  opposed  to  his  egress, 
and  Mr.  Lippet  whispered  a  few  words  in  his  ear,  when 
the  aged  hunter  sank  back  into  his  place,  and,  removing 
his  cap,  stroked  down  the  remnants  of  his  gray  and  sandy 
locks,  with  an  air  of  mortification  mingled  with  submis- 
sion. 

"  Mr.  District  Attorney,"  said  Judge  Temple,  effecting 
to  busy  himself  with  his  minutes,  "  proceed  with  the  second 
indictment." 

Mr.  Van  der  School  took  great  care  that  no  part  of  the 
presentment,  which  he  now  read,  should  be  lost  on  his 
auditors.  It  accused  the  prisoner  of  resisting  the  execu- 
tion of  a  search-warrant,  by  force  of  arms,  and  particular- 
ized in  the  vague  language  of  the  law,  among  a  variety  of 
other  weapons,  the  use  of  the  rifle.  This  was  indeed  a  more 
serious  charge  than  an  ordinary  assault  and  battery,  arid  a 
corresponding  degree  of  interest  was  manifested  by  the 
spectators  in  its  result.  The  prisoner  was  duly  arraigned, 
and  his  plea  again  demanded.  .  Mr.  Lippet  had  antici- 
pated the  answers  of  Natty,  and  in  a  whisper  advised  him 
how  to  plead.  But  the  feelings  of  the  old  hunter  were 
awakened  by  some  of  the  expressions  in  the  indictment, 
and,  forgetful  of  his  caution,  he  exclaimed  : 

"  'Tis  a  wicked  untruth  ;  I  crave  no  man's  blood.  Them 
thieves,  the  Iroquois,  won't  say  it  to  my  face  that  I  ever 
thirsted  after  man's  blood.  I  have  fou't  as  soldier  that 
feared  his  Maker  and  his  officer,  but  I  never  pulled  trigger 
on  any  but  a  warrior  that  was  up  and  awake.  No  man 
can  say  that  I  ever  struck  even  a  Mingo  in  his  blanket. 


340  SHE  PIONEERS. 

I  believe  there's  some  who  thinks  there's  no  God  in  a 
wilderness ! " 

"Attend  to  your  plea,  Bumppo,"  said  the  Judge  ;  "you 
hear  that  you  are  accused  of  using  your  rifle  against  an 
officer  of  justice  ?  are  you  guilty  or  not  guilty  ? " 

By  this  time  the  -irritated  feelings  of  Natty  had  found 
vent ;  and  he  rested  on  the  bar  for  a  moment,  in  a  musing 
posture,  when  he  lifted  his  face,  with  his  silent  laugh,  and, 
pointing  to  where  the  wood-chopper  stood,  he  said  : 

"Would  Billy  Kirby  be  standing  there,  d'ye  think,  if  I 
had  used  the  rifle?" 

"Then  you  deny  it/'  said  Mr.  Lippet :  "you  plead  not 
guilty  ?" 

"  Sartain,"  said  Natty  ;  "  Billy  knows  that  I  never  fired 
at  all.  Billy,  do  you  remember  the  turkey  last  winter  ? 
ah  !  me  !  that  was  better  than  common  firing  ;  but  I  can't 
shoot  as  I  used  to  could." 

"Enter  the  plea  of  not  guilty,"  said  Judge  Temple, 
strongly  affected  by  the  simplicity  of  the  prisoner. 

Hiram  was  again  sworn,  and  his  testimony  given  on  the 
second  charge.  He  had  discovered  his  former  error,  and 
proceeded  more  cautiously  than  before.  He  related  very 
distinctly,  and,  for  the  man,  with  amazing  terseness,  the 
suspicion  against  the  hunter,  the  complaint,  the  issuing  of 
the  warrant,  and  the  swearing  in  of  Kirby  ;  all  of  which, 
he  affirmed,  were  done  in  due  form  of  law.  He  then  added 
the  manner  in  which  the  constable  had  been  received  ;  and 
stated,  distinctly,  that  Natty  had  pointed  the  rifle  at  Kirby, 
and  threatened  his  life  if  he  attempted  to  execute  his  duty. 
All  this  was  confirmed  by  Jotham,  who  was  observed  to 
adhere  closely  to  the  story  of  the  magistrate.  Mr.  Lippet 
conducted  an  artful  cross-examination  of  these  two  wit- 
nesses, but,  after  consuming  much  time,  was  compelled 
to  relinquish  the  attempt  to  obtain  any  advantage,  in 
despair. 

At  length  the  District  Attorney  called  the  wood-chopper 
to  the  bar.  Billy  gave  an  extremely  confused  account  of 
the  whole  affair,  although  he  evidently  aimed  at  the  truth, 
until  Mr.  Van  der  School  aided  him,  by  asking  some  di< 
rect  questions  : 

"It  appears  from  examining  the  papers,  that  you  de- 
manded admission  into  the  hut  legally;  so  you  were  .put 
in  bodily  fear  by  his  rifle  and  threats  ?" 

*'  I  didn't  mind  them  that,  man,"  said   Billy,  snapping 


THE  PIONEERS.  34I 

his  fingers  ;  I  should  be  a  poor  stick  to  mind  old  Leather- 
Stocking." 

"  But  I  understood  you  to  say  (referring  to  your  pre- 
vious words  (as  delivered  here  in  court)  in  the  commence- 
ment of  your  testimony)  that  you  thought  he  meant  to 
shoot  you  ?" 

"To  be  sure  I  ,did  ;  and  so  would  you,  too,  squire,  if  you 
had  seen  a  chap  dropping  a  muzzle  that  never  misses,  and 
and  cocking  an  eye  that  has  a  natural  squint  by  long  prac- 
tice. I  thought  there  would  be  a  dust  on't,  and  my  back 
was  up  at  once  ;  but  Leather-Stocking  gi'n  up  the  skill, 
and  so  the  matter  ended." 

"Ah!  Billy,"  said  Natty,  shaking  his  head,  "'twas  a 
lucky  thought  in  me  to  throw  out  the  hide,  or  there  might 
have  been  blood  spilt ;  and  I'm  sure,  if  it  had  been  your'n, 
I  should  have  mourned  it  sorely  the  little  while  I  have  to 
stay." 

"Well,  Leather-Stocking,"  returned  Billy,  facing  the 
prisoner  with  a  freedom  and  familiarity  that  utterly  disre- 
garded the  presence  of  the  court,  "  as  you  are  on  the  sub- 
ject, it  may  be  that  you've  no " 

"Go  on  with  your  examination,  Mr.  District  Attorney." 

That  gentleman  eyed  the  familiarity  between  his  wit- 
ness and  the  prisoner  with  manifest  disgust,  and  indicated 
to  the  court  that  he. was  done. 

"Then  you  didn't  feel  frightened,  Mr.  Kirby  ? "  said  the 
counsel  for  the  prisoner. 

"  Me  !  no."  said  Billy,  casting  his  eyes  over  his  own 
huge  frame  with  evident  self-satisfaction  ;  "  I'm  not  to  be 
skeared  so  easy." 

"  You  look  like  a  hardy  man  ;  where  were  you  born,  sir  ?" 

"  Varmount  State  ;  'tis  a  mountaynious  place,  but  there's 
a  stiff  soil,  and  it's  pretty  much  wooded  with  beach  and 
maple." 

"  I  have  always  heard  so,"  said  Mr.  Lippet,  soothingly. 
"  You  have  been  used  to  the  rifle  yourself  in  that  country/' 

"I  pull  the  second  best  trigger  in  this  county.  I  knock 
under  to  Natty  Bumppo  there,  sin'  he  shot  the  pigeon." 

Leather- Stocking  raised  his  head,  and  laughed  again, 
when  he  abruptly  thrust  out  a  wrinkled  hand,  and  said  : 

"  You're  young  yet,  Billy,  and  haven't  seen  the  matches 
that  I  have  ;  but  here's  my  hand  ;  I  bear  no  malice  to  you, 
I  don't." 

Mr.  Lippet  allowed  this  conciliatory  offering  to  be  ac- 


342  THE  PIOArEERS. 

cepted,  and  judiciously  paused,  while  the  spirit  of  peace 
was  exercising  its  influence  over  the  two  ;  but  the  Judge 
interposed  his  authority. 

"  This  is  an  improper  place  for  such  dialogues,"  he  said  ; 
"proceed  with  your  examination  of  this  witness,  Mr.  Lip- 
pet,  or  I  shall  order  the  next." 

The  attorney  started,  as  if  unconscious  of  any  impro 
priety,  and  continued  : 

"  So  you  settled  the  matter  with  Natty  amicably  on  the 
spot,  did  you  ?  " 

"  He  gi'n  me  the  skin,  and  I  didn't  want  to  quarrel  with 
an  old  man  ;  for  my  part,  I  see  no  such  mighty  matter  in 
shooting  a  buck  !  " 

"And  you  parted  friends?  and  you  would  never  have 
thought  of  bringing  the  business  up  before  a  court,  hadn't 
you  been  subpoenaed  ?" 

"  I  don't  think  I  should  ;  he  gi'n  the  skin,  and  I  didn't 
feel  a  hard  thought,  though  Squire  Doolittle  got  some 
affronted." 

"  I  have  done,  sir,"  said  Mr.  Lippet,  probably  relying  on 
the  charge  of  the  Judge,  as  he  again  seated  himself,  with 
the  air  of  a  man  who  felt  that  his  success  was  certain. 

When  Mr.  Van  der  School  arose  to  address  the  jury, 
he  commenced  by  saying  : 

"Gentlemen  of  the  jury,  I  should  have  interrupted  the 
leading  questions  put  by  the  prisoner's  counsel  (by  leading 
questions  I  mean  telling  him  what  to  say),  did  I  riot  feel 
confident  that  the  law  of  the  land  was  superior  to  any 
advantages  (I  mean  legal  advantages)  which  he  might  ob- 
tain by  his  art.  The  counsel  for  the  prisoner,  gentlemen, 
has  endeavored  to  persuade  you,  in  opposition  to  your 
own  good  sense,  to  believe  that  pointing  a  rifle  at  a  con- 
stable (elected  or  deputed)  is  a  very  innocent  affair  ;  and 
that  society  (I  mean  the  commonwealth,  gentlemen)  shall 
not  be  endangered  thereby.  But  let  me  claim  your  atten* 
tion,  while  we  look  over  the  particulars  of  this  heinous 
offence."  Here  Mr.  Van  der  School  favored  the  jury  with 
an  abridgment  of  the  testimony,  recounted  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  utterly  to  confuse  the  faculties  of  his  worthy  listen* 
ers.  After  this  exhibition  he  closed  as  follows:  "And 
now,  gentlemen,  having  thus  made  plain  to  your  senses 
the  crime  of  which  this  unfortunate  man  has  been  guilty 
.(unfortunate  both  on  account  of  his  ignorance  and  his 
guilt),  I  shall  leave  you  to  your  own  consciences  ;  not  in 


THE  PIONEERS.  343 

the  least  doubting  that  you  will  see  the  importance  (not* 
withstanding  the  prisoner's  counsel  (doubtless  relying  on 
your  former  verdict)  wishes  to  appear  so  confident  of  suc- 
cess) of  punishing  the  offender,  and  asserting  the  dignity 
of  the  laws." 

It  was  now  the  duty  of  the  Judge  to  deliver  his  charge. 
It  consisted  of  a  short,  comprehensive  summary  of  the 
testimony,  laying  bare  the  artifice  of  the  prisoner's  coun- 
sel, and  placing  the  facts  in  so  obvious  a  light  that  they 
could  not  well  be  misunderstood.  "Living as  we  do,  gen- 
tlemen," he  concluded,  "on  the  skirts  of  society,  it  be- 
comes doubly  necessary  to  protect  the  ministers  of  the  law. 
If  you  believe  the  witnesses,  in  their  construction  of  the 
acts  of  the  prisoner,  it  is  your  duty  to  convict  him  ;  but  if 
you  believe  that  the  old  man,  who  this  day  appears  before 
you,  meant  not  to  harm  the  constable,  but  was  acting  more 
under  the  influence  of  habit  than  by  the  instigations  of 
malice,  it  will  be  your  duty  to  judge  him,  but  to  do  it  with 
lenity." 

As  before,  the  jury  did  not  leave  their  box  ;  but,  after  a 
consultation  of  some  little  time,  their  foreman  arose,  and 
pronounced  the  prisoner  : 

"Guilty." 

There  was  but  little  surprise  manifested  in  the  court- 
room 3t  this  verdict,  as  the  testimony,  the  greater  part  of 
which  we  have  omitted,  was  too  clear  and  direct  to  be 
passed  over.  The  judges  seemed  to  have  anticipated  this 
sentiment,  fora  consultation  was  passing  among  them  also, 
during  the  deliberation  of  the  jury,  and  the  preparatory 
movements  of  the  "bench"  announced  the  coming  sen- 
tence. 

"Nathaniel  Bumppo,"  commenced  the  judge,  making 
the  customary  pause. 

The  old  hunter,  who  had  been  musing  again,  with  his 
head  on  the  bar,  raised  himself,  and  cried,  with  a  prompt, 
military  tone  : 

"  Here." 

The  Judge  waved'his  hand  for  silence,  and  proceeded  : 

"  In  forming  their  sentence,  the  court  have  been  gov- 
erned as  much  by  the  consideration  of  your  ignorance  of 
the  laws  as  by  a  strict  sense  of  the  importance  of  punish- 
ing such  outrages  as  this  of  which  you  have  been  found 
guilty.  They  have  therefore  passed  over  the  obvious  pun- 
ishment of  whipping  on  the  bare  back,  in  mercy  to  your 


344  THE  PIONEERS. 

years  ;  but,  as  the  dignity  of  the  law  requires  an  open  ex 
hibition  of  the  consequences  of  your  crime,  it  is  ordered, 
that  you  be  conveyed  from  this  room  to  the  public  stocks, 
where  you  are  to  be  confined  for  one  hour  ;  that  you  pay 
a  fine  to  the  State  of  one  hundred  dollars  ;  and  that  you 
be  imprisoned  in  the  jail  of  this  county  for  one  calendar 
month,  and,  furthermore,  that  your  imprisonment  do  not 
cease  until  the  said  fine  shall  be  paid.  I  feel  it  my  duty, 
Nathaniel  Bumppo— 

"And  where  should  I  get  the  money?"  interrupted 
the  Leather-Stocking,  eagerly  ;  "where  should  I  get  the 
money  ?  you'll  take  away  the  bounty  on  the  painters,  be- 
cause I  cut  the  throat  of  a  deer  ;  and  how  is  an  old  man 
to  find  so  much  gold  or  silver  in  the  woods  ?  No?  no, 
Judge  ;  think  better  of  it,  and  don't  talk  of  shutting  me  up 
in  a  jail  for  the  little  time  I  have  to  stay." 

"  If  you  have  anything  to  urge  against  the  passing  of 
the  sentence,  the  court  will  yet  hear  you,"  said  the  Judge, 
mildly. 

"  I  have  enough  to  say  ag'in  it,"  cried  Natty,  grasping  the 
bar  on  which  his  fingers  were  working  with  a  convulsed 
motion.  "  Where  am  I  to  get  the  money  ?  Let  me  out 
into  the  woods  and  hills,  where  I've  been  used  to  breathe 
the  clear  air,  and  though  I'm  threescore  and  ten,  if  you've 
left  game  enough  in  the  country,  I'll  travel  night  and  day 
but  I'll  make  you  up  the  sum  afore  the  season  is  over. 
Yes,  yes — you  see  the  reason  of  the  thing,  and  the  wicked- 
ness of  shutting  up  an  old  man  that  has  spent  his  days,  as 
one  may  say,  where  he  could  always  look  into  the  windows 
of  heaven." 

"  I  must  be  governed  by  the  law " 

"  Talk  not  to  me  of  law,  Marmaduke  Temple,"  inter- 
rupted the  hunter.  "Did  the  beast  of  the  forest  mind 
your  laws,  when  it  was  thirsty  and  hungering  for  the  blood 
of  your  own  child  ?  She  was  kneeling  to  her  God  for  a 
greater  favor  than  I  ask,  and  he  heard  her  ;  and  if  you 
now  say  no  to  my  prayers,  do  you  think  he  will  be  deaf  ? " 

"  My  private  feelings  must  not  enter  into " 

"  Hear  me,  Marmaduke  Temple,"  interrupted  the  old 
man,  with  melancholy  earnestness,  "  and  hear  reason.  I've 
travelled  these  mountains  when  you  was  no  judge,  but  an 
infant  in  your  mother's  arms ;  and  I  feel  as  if  I  had  a  right 
and  a  privilege  to  travel  them  ag'in  afore  I  die.  Have 
you  forgot  the  time  that  you  come  on  to  thfc  lake-shore, 


THE  PIONEERS.  345 

when  there  wasn't  even  a  jail  to  lodge  in  ;  and  didn't  I 
give  you  my  own  bear-skin  to  sleep  on,  and  the  fat  of  a 
noble  buck  to  satisfy  the  cravings  of  your  hunger  ?  Yes, 
yes — you  thought  it  no  sin  then  to  kill  a  deer  !  And  this 
I  did,  though  I  had  no  reason  to  love  you,  for  you  had 
never  done  anything  but  harm  to  them  that  loved  and 
sheltered  me.  And  now,  will  you  shut  me  up  in  your 
dungeons  to  pay  me  for  my  kindness  ?  A  hundred  dol- 
lars !  Where  should  I  get  the  money  ?  No,  no — there's 
them  that  says  hard  things  of  you,  Marmaduke  Temple, 
but  you  ain't  so  bad  as  to  wish  to  see  an  old  man  die  in  a 
prison,  because  he  stood  up  for  the  right.  Come,  friend, 
let  me  pass  ;  it's  long  sin'  I've  been  used  to  such  crowds, 
and  I  crave  to  be  in  the  woods  ag'in.  Don't  fear  me, 
Judge — I  bid  you  not  to  fear  me  ;  for  if  there's  beaver 
enough  left  on  the  streams,  or  the  buckskins  will  sell  for 
a  shilling  apiece,  you  shall  have  the  last  penny  of  the  fine. 
Where  are  ye,  pups  ?  come  away,  dogs,  come  away  !  we 
have  a  grievous  toil  to  do  for  our  years,  but  it  shall  be 
done— yes,  yes,  I've  promised  it,  and  it  shall  be  done  ! " 

It  is  unnecessary  to  say  that  the  movement  of  the 
Leather-Stocking  was  again  intercepted  by  the  constable  ; 
but,  before  he  had  time  to  speak,  a  bustling  in  the  crowd, 
and  a  loud  hem,  drew  all  eyes  to  another  part  of  the  room. 

Benjamin  had  succeeded  in  edging  his  way  through  the 
people,  and  was  now  seen  balancing  his  short  body,  with 
one  foot  in  a  window  and  the  other  on  a  railing  of  the 
jury-box.  To  the  amazement  of  the  whole  court,  the 
steward  was  evidently  preparing  to  speak.  After  a  good 
deal  of  difficulty,  he  succeeded  in  drawing  from  his  pocket 
a  small  bag,  and  then  found  utterance. 

"  If-so-be,"  he  said,  "  that  your  honor  is  agreeable  to 
trust  the  poor  fellow  out  on  another  cruise  among  the 
beasts,  here's  a  small  matter  that  will  help  to  bring  down 
the  risk,  seeing  that  there's  just  thirty-five  of  your  Span- 
iards it  it  ;  and  I  wish,  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart,  that 
they  was  raal  British  guineas,  for  the  sake  of  the  old  boy. 
But  'tis  as  it  is  ;  and  if  Squire  Dickens  will  just  be  so  good 
as  to  overhaul  this  small  bit  of  an  account,  and  take  enough 
from  the  bag  to  settle  the  same,  he's  welcome  to  hold  on 
upon  the  rest,  till  such  time  as  the  Leather-Stocking  can 
grapple  with  them  said  beaver,  or,  for  that  matter,  forever, 
and  no  thanks  asked." 

AJ  Benjamin  concluded,  he  thrust  out  the  wooden  regis- 


346  THE  PIONEERS. 

ter  of  liis  arrears  to  the  "  Bold  Dragoon  "  with  one  hand, 
while  he  offered  his  bag  of  dollars  with  the  other.  Aston- 
ishment at  this  singular  interruption  produced  a  profound 
stillness  in  the  room,  which  was  only  interrupted  by  the 
sheriff,  who  struck  his  sword  pn  the  table,  and  cried  : 

"  Silence  !  " 

"  There  must  be  an  end  to  this,"  said  the  Judge,  strug- 
gling to  overcome  his  feelings.  "  Constable, "lead  the 
prisoner  to  the  stocks.  Mr.  Clerk,  what  stands  next  on 
the  calendar  ? " 

Natty  seemed  to  yield  to  his  destiny,  for  he  sank  his 
head  on  his  chest,  and  followed  the  officer  from  the  court- 
room in  silence.  The  crowd  moved  back  for  the  passage 
of  the  prisoner,  and  when  his  tall  form  was  seen  descend- 
ing from  the  outer  door,  a  rush  of  the  people  to  the  scene 
of  his  disgrace  followed. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

"  Ha  !  ha !  look  !  he  wears  cruel  garters  !  " — LEAR. 

THE  punishments  of  the  common  law  were  still  known, 
at  the  time  of  our  tale,  to  the  people  of  New  York  ;  and 
the  whipping-post,  and  its  companion,  the  stocks,  were 
not  yet  supplanted  by  the  more  merciful  expedients  of  the 
public  prison.  Immediately  in  front  of  the  jail  those  relics 
of  the  older  times  were  situated,  as  a  lesson  of  precaution- 
ary justice  to  the  evil-doers  of  the  settlement. 

Natty  followed  the  constables  to  this  spot,  bowing  his 
head  in  submission  to  a  power  that  he  was  unable  to  op- 
pose, and  surrounded  by  the  crowd  that  formed  a  circle 
about  his  person,  exhibiting  in  their  countenances  strong 
curiosity.  A  constable  raised  the  upper  part  of  the  stocks, 
and  pointed  with  his  finger  to  the  holes  where  the  old  man 
was  to  place  his  feet.  Without  making  the  least  objection 
to  the  punishment,  the  Leather-Stocking  quietly  seated 
himself  on  the  ground,  and  suffered  his  limbs  to  be  laid  in 
the  openings,  without  even  a  murmur  ;  though  he  cast  one 
glance  about  him,  in  quest  of  that  sympathy  that  human 
nature  always  seems  to  require  under  suffering.  If  he 
met  no  direct  manifestations  of  pity,  neither  did  he  see  any 
unfeeling  exultation,  or  hear  a  single  reproachful  epithet. 


THE  PIONEERS.  347 

The  character  of  the  mob,  if  it  could  be  called  by  such  a 
name,  was  that  of  attentive  subordination. 

The  constable  was  in  the  act  of  lowering  the  upper 
plank,  when  Benjamin,  who  had  pressed  close  to  the  side 
of  the  prisoner,  said,  in  his  hoarse  tone,  as  if  seeking  for 
some  cause  to  create  a  quarrel  : 

"  Where  away,  master  constable,  is  the  use  of  clapping 
a  man  in  them  here  bilboes  ?  It  neither  stops  his  grog 
nor  hurts  his  back  ;  what  for  is  it  that  you  do  the  thing  ? " 

"  'Tis  the  sentence  of  the  court,  Mr.  Penguillium,  and 
there's  law  for  it,  I  s'pose." 

"Ay,  ay,  I.  know  that  there's  law  for  the  thing;  but 
where  away  do  you  find  the  use  I  say  ?  it  does  no  harm, 
and  it  only  keeps  a  man  by  the  heels  for  the  small  matter 
of  two  glasses." 

"  Is  it  no  harm,  Benny  Pump,"  said  Natty,  raising  his 
eyes  with  a  piteous  look  in  the  face  of  the  steward — "  is  it 
no  harm  to  show  off  a  man  in  his  seventy-first  year,  like  a 
tame  bear,  for  the  settlers  to  look  on  ?  Is  it  no  harm  to 
put  an  old  soldier,  that  has  served  through  the  war  of  'fif- 
ty-six, and  seen  the  inimy  in  the  'seventy-six  business,  into 
a  place  like  this,  where  the  boys  can  point  at  him  and  say, 
I  have  known  the  time  when  he  was  a  spectacle  for  the 
county  ?  Is  it  no  harm  to  bring  down  the  pride  of  an 
honest  man  to  be  the  equal  of  the  beasts  of  the  forest  ?" 

Benjamin  stared  about  him  fiercely,  and  could  he  have 
found  a  single  face  that  expressed  contumely,  he  would 
have  been  prompt  to  quarrel  with  its  owner  ;  but  meeting 
everywhere  with  looks  of  sobriety,  and  occasionally  of 
commiseration,  lie  very  deliberately  seated  himself  by  the 
side  of  the  hunter,  and,  placing  his  legs  in  the  two  vacant 
holes  of  the  stocks,  he  said  : 

"  Now  lower  away,  master  constable,  lower  away,  I  tell 
ye  !  If-so-be  there's  such  a  thing  hereabouts,  as  a  man 
that  wants  to  see  a  bear,  let  him  look  and  be  d — d,  and  he 
shall  find  two  of  them,  and  mayhap  one  of  the  same  that 
can  bite  as  well  as  growl." 

"  But  I  have  no  orders  to  put  you  in  the  stocks,  Mr. 
Pump,"  cried  the  constable  ;  "  you  must  get  up  and  let  me 
do  my  duty." 

"  You've  my  orders,  and  what  do  you  need  better  to 
meddle  with  my  own  feet  ?  so  lower  away,  will  ye,  and  let 
me  see  the  man  that  chooses  to  open  his  mouth  with  a  grin 
on  it." 


348  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  There  can't  be  any  harm  in  locking  up  a  creater  that 
will  enter  the  pound,"  said  the  constable,  laughing,  and 
closing  the  stocks  on  them  both. 

It  was  fortunate  that  this  act  was  executed  with  de- 
cision, for  the  whole  of  the  spectators,  when  they  saw 
Benjamin  assume  the  position  he  took,  felt  an  inclination 
for  merriment,  which  few  thought  it  worth  while  to  sup- 
press. The  steward  struggled  violently  for  his  liberty 
again,  with  an  evident  intention  of  making  battle  on  those 
who  stood  nearest  to  him  ;  but  the  key  was  already  turned, 
and  all  his  efforts  were  vain. 

"  Hark  ye,  master  constable,"  he  cried,  ''just  clear  away 
your  bilboes  for  the  small  matter  of  a  log-glass,  will  ye,  and 
let  me  show  some  of  them  there  chaps  who  it  is  they  are 
so  merry  about." 

"  No,  no,  you  would  go  in,  and  you  can't  come  out, "re- 
turned the  officer,  "  until  the  time  has  expired  that  the 
Judge  directed  for  the  keeping-  of  the  prisoner." 

Benjamin,  finding  that  his  threats  and  his  struggles  were 
useless,  had  good  sense  enough  to  learn  patience  from  the 
resigned  manner  of  his  companion,  and  soon  settled  himself 
down  by  the  side  of  Natty,  with  a  contemptuousness  ex- 
pressed in  his  hard  features,  that  showed  he  had  substituted 
disgust  for  rage.  When  the  violence  of  the  steward's  feel- 
ings had  in  some  measure  subsided,  he  turned  to  his  fellow- 
sufferer,  and,  with  a  motive  that  might  have  vindicated  a 
worse  effusion,  he  attempted  the  charitable  office  of  con- 
solation. 

"  Taking  it  by  and  large,  Master  Bump-ho,  'tis  but  a 
small  matter  after  all,"  he  said.  "  Now,  I've  known  very 
good  sort  of  men,  aboard  of  the  Boadishey,  laid  by  the 
heels,  for  nothing,  mayhap,  but  forgetting  that  they'd  drunk 
their  allowance  already,  when  a  glass  of  grog  has  come  in 
their  way.  This  is  nothing  more  than  riding  with  two 
anchors  ahead,  waiting  for  a  turn  in  the  tide,  or  a  shift  of 
wind,  d'ye  see,  with  a  soft  bottom  and  plenty  of  room  for 
the  sweep  of  your  hawse.  Now  I've  seen  many  a  man,  for 
over-shooting  his  reckoning,  as  I  told  ye,  moored  head  and 
starn,  where  he  couldn't  so  much  as  heave  his  broadside 
round,  and  mayhap  a  stopper  clapt  on  his  tongue  too,  in 
the  shape  of  a  pump-bolt  lashed  athwartship  his  jaws,  all 
the  same  as  an  outrigger  alongside  of  a  taffrel-rail." 

The  hunter  appeared  to  appreciate  the  kind  intentions 
of  the  other,  though  he  could  not  understand  his  eloquence ; 


THE  PIONEERS, 


349 


and,  raising  his  humbled  countenance,  he  attempted  a  smile, 
as  he  said 

"  Anan  !  " 

"  'Tis  nothing  I  say,  but  a  small  matter  of  a  squall  that 
will  soon  blow  over,"  continued  Benjamin.  "  To  you  that 
has  such  a  length  of  keel,  it  must  be  all  the  same  as  no- 
thing ;  tho'f,  seeing  that  I  am  little  short  in  my  lower  tim- 
bers, they've  triced  my  heels  up  in  such  a  way  as  to  give 
me  a  bit  of  a  cant.  But  what  cares  I,  Master  Bump-ho,  if 
the  ship  strains  a  little  at  her  anchor  ;  it's  only  for  a  dog- 
watch, and  dam'me  but  she'll  sail  with  you  then  on  that 
cruise  after  them  said  beaver.  I'm  not  much  used  to  small 
arms,  seeing  that  I  was  stationed  at  the  ammunition-boxes, 
being  sum'mat  too  low-rigged  to  see  over  the  hammock- 
cloths  ;  but  I  can  carry  the  game,  d'ye  see,  and  mayhap 
make  out  to  lend  a  hand  with  the  traps  ;  and  if-so-be  you're 
any  way  so  handy  with  them  as  ye  be  with  your  boat-hook, 
'twill  be  but  a  short  cruise  after  all.  I've  squared  the  yards 
with  Squire  Dickens  this  morning,  and  I  shall  send  him 
word  that  he  needn't  bear  my  name  on  the  books  again  till 
such  time  as  the  cruise  is  over." 

"You're  used  to  dwell  with  men,  Benny,"  said  Leather- 
Stocking,  mournfully,  "  and  the  ways  of  the  woods  would 
be  hard  on  you,  if— 

a  Not  a  bit — not  a  bit,"  cried  the  steward  ;  "I'm  none  of 
your  fair-weather  chaps,  Master  Bump-ho,  as  sails  only  in 
smooth  water.  When  I  find  a  friend,  I  sticks  by  him,  d'ye 
see.  Now,  there's  no  better  man  a-going  than  Squire 
Dickens,  and  I  love  him  about  the  same  as  I  loves  Mistress 
Hollister's  new  keg  of  Jamaiky."  The  steward  paused, 
and  turning  his  uncouth  visage  on  the  hunter,  he  surveyed 
him  with  a  roguish  leer  of  his  eye,  and  gradually  suffered 
the  muscles  of  his  hard  features  to  relax,  until  his  face  was 
illuminated"  by  the  display  of  his  white  teeth,  when  he 
dropped  his  voice,  and  added — "I  say,  Master  Leather- 
Stocking,  'tis  fresher  and  livelier  than  any  Hollands  you'll 
get  in  Garnsey.  But  we'll  send  a  hand  over  and  ask  the 
woman  for  a  taste,  for  I'm  so  jamb'd  in  these  here  bilboes, 
that  I  begin  to  want  sum'mat  to  lighten  my  upper  works." 

Natty  sighed,  and  gazed  about  him  on  the  crowd,  that 
already  began  to  disperse,  and  which  had  now  diminished 
greatly,  as  its  members  scattered  in  their  various  pursuits. 
He  looked  wistfully  at  Benjamin,  but  did  not  reply  ;  a 
deeply-seated  anxiety  seeming  to  absorb  every  other  sen- 


350  THE  PIONEERS. 

sation,  and  to  throw  a  melancholy  gloom  over  his  wrinkled 
features,  which  were  working  with  the  movements  of  his 
mind. 

The  steward  was  about  to  act  on  the  old  principle,  that 
silence  gives  consent,  when  Hiram  Doolittle,  attended  by 
Jotham,  stalked  out  of  the  crowd,  across  the  open  space, 
and  approached  the  stocks.  The  magistrate  passed  by  the 
end  where  Benjamin  was  seated,  and  posted  himself,  at  a 
safe  distance  from  the  steward,  in  front  of  the  Leather- 
Stocking.  Hiram  stood,  for  a  moment,  cowering  before 
the  keen  looks  that  Natty  fastened  on  him,  and  suffering 
under  an  embarrassment  that  was  quite  new  ;  when  having 
in  some  degree  recovered  himself,  he  looked  at  the  heavens, 
and  then  at  the  smoky  atmosphere,  as  if  it  were  only  an 
ordinary  meeting  with  a  friend,  and  said  in  his  formal, 
hesitating  way : 

"  Quite  a  scurcity  of  rain,  lately  ;  I  some  think  we  shall 
have  a  long  drought  on't." 

Benjamin  was  occupied  in  untying  his  bag  of  dollars, 
and  did  not  observe  the  approach  of  the  magistrate,  while 
Natty  turned  his  face,  in  which  every  muscle  was  working, 
away  from  him  in  disgust,  without  answering.  Rather  en- 
couraged than  daunted  by  this  exhibition  of  dislike,  Hi- 
ram, after  a  short  pause,  continued  : 

"  The  clouds  look  as  if  they'd  no  water  in  them,  and  the 
earth  is  dreadfully  parched.  To  my  judgment,  there'll  be 
short  crops  this  season,  if  the  rain  doesn't  fall  quite  speed- 
ily." 

The  air  with  which  Mr.  Doolittle  delivered  this  prophet- 
ical opinion  was  peculiar  to  his  species.  It  was  a  Jesuitical, 
cold,  unfeeling,  and  selfish  manner,  that  seemed  to  say,  "  I 
have  kept  within  the  law,"  to  the  man  he  had  so  cruelly 
injured.  It  quite  overcame  the  restraint  that  the  old  hun- 
ger had  been  laboring  to  impose  on  himself,  and  he  burst 
out  in  a  warm  glow  of  indignation. 

"Why  should  the  rain  fall  from  the  clouds,"  he  cried, 
•*  when  you  force  the  tears  from  the  eyes  of  the  old,  the 
sick,  and  the  poor  !  Away  with  ye — away  with  ye  !  you 
may  be  formed  in  the  image  of  the  Maker,  but  Satan  dwells 
in  your  heart.  Away  with  ye,  I  say !  I  am  mournful,  and 
the  sight  of  ye  brings  bitter  thoughts." 

Benjamin  ceased  thumbing  his  money,  and  raised  his 
head  at  the  instant  that  Hiram,  who  was  throwp  off  his 
guard  by  the  invectives  of  the  hunter,  unluckily  trusted 


THE  PIONEERS.  35 1 

his  person  within  reach  of  the  steward,  who  grasped  one 
of  his  legs,  with  a  hand  that  had  the  grip  of  a  vice,  and 
whirled  the  magistrate  from  his  feet,  before  he  had  either 
time  to  collect  his  senses  or  to  exercise  the  strength  he 
did  really  possess.  Benjamin  wanted  neither  proportions 
nor  manhood  in  his  head,  shoulders,  and  arms,  though  all 
the  rest  of  his  frame  appeared  to  be  originally  intended  for 
a  very  different  sort  of  a  man.  He  exerted  his  physical 
powers  on  the  present  occasion,  with  much  discretion  ; 
and,  as  he  had  taken  his  antagonist  at  a  great  disadvantage, 
the  struggle  resulted,  very  soon,  in  Benjamin  getting  the 
magistrate  fixed  in  a  posture  somewhat  similar  to  his  own, 
and  manfully  placed  face  to  face. 

"You're  a  ship's  cousin,  I  tell  ye,  Master  Doo-but-little," 
roared  the  steward  ;  "  some  such  matter  as  a  ship's  cousin, 
sir.  I  know  you,  [  do,  with  your  fair-weather  speeches 
to  Squire  Dickens,  to  his  face,  and  then  you  go  and  sarve 
out  your  grumbling  to  all  the  old  women  in  the  town,  do 
ye  ?  An't  it  enough  for  any  Christian,  let  him  harbor 
never  so  much  malice,  to  get  an  honest  old  fellow  laid  by 
the  heels  in  this  fashion,  without  carrying  sail  so  hard  on 
the  poor  dog,  as  if  you  would  run  him  down  as  he  lay  at 
his  anchors  ?  But  I've  logged  many  a  hard  thing  against 
your  name,  master,  and  now  the  time's  come  to  foot  up 
the  day's  work,  dy'e  see  ;  so  square  yourself,  you  lubber, 
square  yourself,  and  we'll  soon  know  who's  the  better  man." 

"  Jotham  !  "  cried  the  frightened  magistrate — "  Jotham  ! 
call  in  the  constables.  Mr.  Penguillium,  I  command  the 
peace — I  order  you  to  keep  the  peace." 

"  There's  been  more  peace  than  love  atwixt  us,  master," 
cried  the  steward,  making  some  very  unequivocal  demon- 
strations toward  hostility  ;  "  so  mind  yourself  !  square  your* 
self,  I  say  !  do  you  smell  this  here  bit  of  a  sledge-hammer  ?  " 

"  Lay  hands  on  me  if  you  dare  ! "  exclaimed  Hiram,  as 
well  as  he  could,  under  the  grasp  which  the  steward  held 
on  his  throttle — "  lay  hands  on  me  if  you  dare  !  " 

"  If  you  call  this  laying,  master,  you  are  welcome  to  the 
eggs,"  roared  the  steward. 

It  becomes  our  disagreeable  duty  to  record  here,  that 
the  acts  of  Benjamin  now  become  violent ;  for  he  darted 
his  sledge-hammer  violently  on  the  anvil  of  Mr.  Doolittle's 
countenance,  and  the  place  became  in  an  instant  a  scene 
of  tumult  and  confusion.  The  crowd  rushed  in  a  dense 
circle  around  the  spot,  while  some  ran  to  the  court-room 


352  THE  PIONEERS. 

to  give  the  alarm,  and  one  or  two  of  the  more  juvenile 
part  of  the  multitude  had  a  desperate  trial  of  speed  to  see 
who  should  be  the  happy  man  to  communicate  the  critical 
situation  of  the  magistrate  to  his  wife. 

Benjamin  worked  away,  with  great  industry  and  a  good 
deal  of  skill,  at  his  occupation,  using  one  hand  to  raise 
up  his  antagonist,  while  he  knocked  him  over  with  the 
other  ;  for  he  \vould  have  been  disgraced  in  his  own  esti- 
mation, had  he  struck  a  blow  on  a  fallen  adversary.  By 
this  considerate  arrangement  he  had  found  means  to  ham- 
mer the  visage  of  Hiram  out  of  all  shape,  by  the  time 
Richard  succeeded  in  forcing  his  way  through  the  throng 
to  the  point  of  combat.  The  sheriff  afterward  declared 
that,  independently  of  his  mortification  as  preserver  of  the 
peace  of  the  county,  at  this  interruption  to  its  harmony, 
he  was  never  so  grieved  in  his  life  as  when  he  saw  this 
breach  of  unity  between  his  favorites.  Hiram  had  in  some 
degree  become  necessary  to  his  vanity,  and  Benjamin, 
strange  as  it  may  appear,  he  really  loved.  This  attach- 
ment was  exhibited  in  the  first  words  that  he  uttered. 

"  Squire  Doolittle  !  Squire  Doolittle  !  I  am  ashamed  to 
see 'a  man  of  your  character  and  office  forget  himself  so 
much  as  to  disturb  the  peace,  insult  the  court,  and  beat 
poor  Benjamin  in  this  manner  !" 

At  the  sound  of  Mr.  Jones's  voice,  the  steward  ceased  his 
employment,  and  Hiram  had  an  opportunity  of  raising  his 
discomfited  visage  toward  the  mediator.  Emboldened  by 
the  sight  of  the  sheriff,  Mr.  Doolittle  again  had  recourse  to 
his  lungs. 

"  I'll  have  law  on  you  for  this,"  he  cried  desperately  ; 
"  I'll  have  the  law  on  you  for  this.  I  call  on  you,  Mr. 
Sheriff,  to  seize  this  man,  and  I  demand  that  you  take  his 
body  into  custody." 

By  this  time  Richard  was  master  of  the  true  state  of  the 
case,  and,  turning. to  the  steward,  he  said,  reproachfully  : 

"  Benjamin,  how  came  you  in  the  stocks  ?  I  always 
thought  you  were  mild  and  docile  as  a  lamb.  It  was  for 
your  docility  that  I  most  esteemed  you.  Benjamin  !  Ben- 
jamin !  you  have  not  only  disgraced  yourself,  but  your 
friends,  by  this  shameless  conduct.  Bless  me  !  bless  me  ! 
Mr.  Doolittle,  he  seems  to  have  knocked  your  face  all  of 
one  side." 

Hiram  by  this  time  had  got  on  his  feet  again,  and  with- 
out the  reach  of  the  steward,  when  be  broke  forth  in  violent 


THE  PIONEERS.  353 

appeals  for  vengeance.  The  offence  was  too  apparent  to 
be  passed  over,  and  the  sheriff,  mindful  of  the  impartiality 
exhibited  by  his  cousin  in  the  recent  trial  of  the  Leather- 
Stocking,  came  to  the  painful  conclusion  that  it  was  nec- 
essary to  commit  his  major-domo  to  prison.  As  the  time 
of  Natty's  punishment  was  expired,  and  Benjamin  found 
that  they  were  to  be  confined,  for  that  night  at  least,  in 
the  same  apartment,  he  made  no  very  strong  objections 
to  the  measure,  nor  spoke  of  bail,  though,  as  the  sheriff 
preceded  the  party  of  constables  that  conducted  them  to 
the  jail,  he  uttered  the  following  remonstrance  : 

"  As  to  being  berthed  writh  Master  Bump-ho  for  a  night 
or  so,  it's  but  little  I  think  of  it,  Squire  Dickens,  seeing 
that  I  calls  him  an  honest  man,  and  one  as  has  a  handy  way 
with  boat-books  and  rifles  ;  but  as  for  owning  that  a  man 
desarves  anything  worse  than  a  double  allowance,  for 
knocking  that  carpenter's  face  a-one-side,  as  you  call  it, 
I'll  maintain  it's  ag'n  reason  and  Christianity.  If  there's 
a  bloodsucker  in  this  'ere  county,  it's  that  very  chap.  Ay  ! 
I  know  him  !  and  if  he  hasn't  got  all  the  same  as  dead 
wood  in  his  headworks,  he  knows  sum'mat  of  me.  Where's 
the  mighty  harm,  squire,  that  you  take  it  so  much  to 
heart  ?  It's  all  the  same  as  any  other  battle,  d'ye  see,  sir, 
being  broadside  to  broadside,  only  that  it  was  fout  at  anchor, 
which  was  what  we  did  in  Port  Praya  roads,  when  Suff'ring 
came  in  among  us  ;  and  a  suff'ring  time  he  had  of  it  before 
he  got  out  again." 

Richard  thought  it  unworthy  of  him  to  make  any  reply 
to  this  speech,  but  when  his  prisoners  were  safely  lodged 
in  an  outer  dungeon,  ordering  the  bolts  to  be  drawn  and 
the  key  turned,  he  withdrew. 

Benjamin  held  frequent  and  friendly  dialogues  with 
different  people,  through  the  iron  gratings,  during  the 
afternoon  ;  but  his  companion  paced  their  narrow  limits, 
in  his  moccasins,  with  quick,  impatient  treads,  his  face 
hanging  on  his  breast  in  dejection,  or  when  lifted,  at  mo- 
ments, to  the  idlers  at  the  window,  lighted,- perhaps,  for 
an  instant,  with  the  childish  aspect  of  aged  forgetfulness, 
which  would  vanish  directly  in  an  expression  of  deep  and 
obvious  anxiety. 

At  the  close  of  the  day,  Edward  was  seen  at  the  window, 
in  earnest  dialogue  with  his  friend  ;  and  after  he  departed 
it  was  thought  that  he  had  communicated  words  of  corn- 
fort  to  the  hunter,  who  threw  himself  on  his  pallet  and 
23 


354 


THE  PIONEERS. 


was  soon  in  a  deep  sleep.  The  curious  spectators  had 
exhausted  the  conversation  of  the  steward,  who  had  drunk 
good  fellowship  with  half  of  his  acquaintance,  and,  as 
Natty  was  no  longer  in  motion,  by  eight  o'clock,  •  Billy 
Kirby,  who  was  the  last  lounger  at  the  window,  retired  into 
the  "Templeton  Coffee-house,"  when  Natty  rose  and  hung 
a  blanket  before  the  opening,  and  the  prisoners  apparently 
retired  for  the  night. 


CHAPTER   XXXV. 

"  And  to  avoid  the  foe's  pursuit, 
With  spurring  put  their  cattle  to't  ; 
And  till  all  four  were  out  of  wind, 
And  danger  too,  ne'er  looked  behind." — HUDIBRAS. 

As  the  shades  of  evening  approached,  the  jurors,  wit- 
nesses, and  other  attendants  on  the  court,  began  to  dis- 
perse, and  before  nine  o'clock  the  village  was  quiet,  and 
its  streets  nearly  deserted.  At  that  hour  Judge  Temple 
and  his  daughter,  followed  at  a  short  distance  by  Louisa 
Grant,  walked  slowly  down  the  avenue,  under  the  slight 
shadows  of  the  young  poplars,  holding  the  following  dis- 
course : 

"  You  can  best  soothe  his  wounded  spirit,  my  child,"  said 
Marmaduke ;  "  but  it  will  be  dangerous  to  touch  on  the 
'nature  of  his  offence  ;  the  sanctity  of  the  laws  must  be  re- 
spected." 

"  Surely,  sir,"  cried  the  impatient  Elizabeth,  "  those 
laws  that  condemn  a  man  like  the  Leather-Stocking  to  so 
severe  a  punishment,  for  an  offence  that  even  I  must  think 
very  venial,  cannot  be  perfect  in  themselves." 

"  Thou  talkest  of  what  thou  dost  not  understand,  Eliza- 
beth," returned  her  father.  "  Society  cannot  exist  without 
wholesome  restraints.  Those  restraints  cannot  be  inflicted 
without  security  and  respect  to  the  persons  of  those  who 
administer  them  ;  and  it  would  sound  ill  indeed  to  report, 
that  a  judge  had  extended  favor  to  a  convicted  criminal, 
because  he  had  saved  the  life  of  his  child." 

"  I  see — I  see  the  difficulty  of  your  situation,  dear  sir," 
cried  the  daughter  ;  "  but,  in  appreciating  the  offence  of 
poor  Natty,  I  cannot  separate  the  minister  of  the  law  from 
the  man." 


THE  PIONEERS.  355 

"  There  thou  talkest  as  a  woman,  child  ;  it  is  not  for  an 
assault  on  Hiram  Doolittle,  but  for  threaten  ing  the  life  of  a 
constable,  who  was  in  the  performance  of 

"  It  is  immaterial  whether  it  be  one  or  the  other,"  inter- 
rupted Miss  Temple,  with  a  logic  that  contained  more  feel- 
ing than  reason  ;  "  I  know  Natty  to  be  inirocent,  and  think- 
ing so  I  must  think  all  wrong  who  oppress  him." 

"  His  judge  among  the  number  !  thy  father,  Elizabeth  ?  " 

"  Nay,  nay,  nay  ;  do  not  put  such  questions  to  me  ;  give 
me  my  commission,  father,  and  let  me  proceed  to  execute 
it." 

The  Judge  paused  a  moment,  smiling  fondly  on  his  child, 
and  then  dropped  his  hand  affectionately  on  her  shoulder, 
as  he  answered  : 

"  Thou  hast  reason,  Bess,  and  much  of  it,  too,  but  thy 
heart  lies  too  near  thy  head.  But  listen  ;  in  this  pocket" 
book  are  two  hundred  dollars.  Go  to  the  prison — there 
are  none  in  this  place  to  harm  thee — give  this  note  to  the 
jailer,  and,  when  thou  seest  Bumppo,  say  what  thou  wilt 
to  the  poor  old  man  ;  give  scope  to  the  feelings  of  thy 
warm  heart  ;  but  try  to  remember,  Elizabeth,  that  the 
laws  alone  remove  us  from  the  condition  of  the  savages  ; 
that  he  has  been  criminal,  and  that  his  judge  was  thy 
father." 

Miss  Temple  made  no  reply,  but  she  pressed  the  hand 
that  held  the  pocket-book  to  her  bosom,  and,  taking  her 
friend  by  the  arm,  they  issued  together  from  the  enclosure 
into  the  principal  street  of  the  village. 

As  they  pursued  their  walk  in  silence,  under  the  row  of 
houses,  where  the  deeper  gloom  of  the  evening  effectually 
concealed  their  persons,  no  sound  reached  them,  excepting 
the  slow  tread  of  a  yoke  of  oxen,  with  the  rattling  of  a 
cart,  that  were  moving  along  the  street  in  the  same  direc- 
tion with  themselves.  The  figure  of  the  teamster  was  just 
discernible  by  the  dim  light,  lounging  by  the  side  of  his 
cattle  with  a  listless  air,  as  if  fatigued  by  the  toil  of  the 
day.  At  the  corner,  where  the  jail  stood,  the  progress  of 
the  ladies  was  impeded,  for  a  moment,  by  the  oxen,  who 
were  turned  up  to  the  side  of  the  building,  and  given  a 
lock  of  hay,  which  they  had  carried  on  their  necks,  as  a  re- 
ward for  their  patient  labor.  The  whole  of  this  was  so 
natural,  and  so  common,  that  Elizabeth  saw  nothing  to  in- 
duce a  second  glance  at  the  team,  until-she  heard  the  team- 
ster speaking  to  his  cattle  in  a  low  voice  : 


356  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  Mind  yourself,  Brindle  ;  will  you,  sir  !  will  you  !  " 

The  language  itself  was  so  unusual  to  oxen,  with  which 
all  who  dwell  in  a  new  country  are  familiar  ;  but  there  was 
something  in  the  voice  also,  that  startled  Miss  Temple. 
On  turning  the  corner,  she  necessarily  approached  the 
man,  and  her  look  was  enabled  to  detect  the  person  of 
Oliver  Edwards,  concealed  under  the  coarse  garb  of  a 
teamster.  Their  eyes  met  at  the  same  instant,  and,  not- 
withstanding the  gloom,  and  the  enveloping  cloak  of  Eliz- 
abeth, the  recognition  was  mutual. 

"  Miss  Temple  !  "  "  Mr.  Edwards  ! "  were  exclaimed  simul- 
taneously, though  a  feeling  that  seemed  common  to  both 
rendered  the  words  nearly  inaudible. 

"  Is  it  possible* !  "  exclaimed  Edwards,  after  the  moment 
of  doubt  had  passed  ;  "  do  I  see  you  so  nigh  the  jail !  but 
you  are  going  to  the  rectory  ;  I  beg  pardon,  Miss  Grant, 
I  believe  ;  I  did  not  recognize  you  at  first." 

The  sigh  which  Louisa  uttered  was  so  faint,  that  it  was 
only  heard  by  Elizabeth,  who  replied  quickly  : 

"We  are  going  not  only  to  the  jail,  Mr.  Edwards,  but 
into  it.  We  wish  to  show  the  Leather-Stocking  that  we 
do  not  forget  his  services,  and  that  at  the  same  time  we 
must  be  just,  we  are  also  grateful.  I  suppose  you  are  on  a 
similar  errand  ;  but  let  me  beg  that  you  will  give  us  leave 
to  precede  you  ten  minutes.  Good-night,  sir ;  I — I — am 
quite  sorry,  Mr.  Edwards,  to  see  you  reduced  to  such  labor  ; 
I  am  sure  my  father  would " 

"I  shall  wait  your  pleasure,  madam,"  interrupted  the 
youth  coldly.  "  May  I  beg  that  you  will  not  mention  my 
being  here  ? " 

"  Certainly,"  said  Elizabeth,  returning  his  bow  by  a 
slight  inclination  of  her  head,  and  urging  the  tardy  Louisa 
forward.  As  they  entered  the  jailer's  house,  however, 
Miss  Grant  found  leisure  to  whisper  : 

"  Would  it  not  be  well  to  offer  part  of  your  money  to 
Oliver  ?  half  of  it  will  pay  the  fine  of  Bumppo  ;  and  he  is 
BO  unused  to  hardships  !  I  am  sure  my  father  will  sub- 
scribe much  of  his  little  pittance,  to  place  him  in  a  station 
that  is  more  worthy  of  him." 

The  involuntary  smile  that  passed  over  the  features  of 
Elizabeth  was  blended  with  an  expression  of  deep  and 
heartfelt  pity.  She  did  not  reply,  however,  and  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  jailer  soon  recalled  the  thoughts  of  both 
fo  the  object  of  their  visit. 


THE  PIONEERS.  357 

The  rescue  of  the  ladies,  and  their  consequent  interest 
in  his  prisoner,  together  with  the  informal  manners  that 
prevailed  in  the  country,  all  united  to  prevent  any  surprise 
on  the  part  of  the  jailer,  at  their  request  for  admission  to 
Bumppo.  The  note  of  Judge  Temple,  however,  would 
have  silenced  all  objections,  if  he  had  felt  them,  and  he  led 
the  way  without  hesitation  to  the  apartment  that  held  the 
prisoners.  The  instant  the  key  was  put  into  the  lock,  the 
hoarse  voice  of  Benjamin  was  heard,  demanding  : 

"  Yo  !  hoy  !  who  comes  there  ? " 

"Some  visitors  that  you'll  be  glad  to  see,"  returned  the 
jailer.  "What  have  you  done  to  the  lock,  that  it  won't 
turn?" 

"  Handsomely,  handsomely,  master,"  cried  the  steward  ; 
"  I  have  just  drove  a  nail  into  a  berth  alongside  of  this 
here  bolt,  as  a  stopper,  d'ye  see,  so  that  Master  Doo-but- 
little  can't  be  running  in  and  breezing  up  another  fight 
atwixt  us  ;  for,  to  my  account,  there'll  be  but  a  ban-yan 
with  me  soon,  seeing  that  they'll  mulct  me  of  my  Span- 
iards, all  the  same  as  if  I'd  over-flogged  the  lubber.  Throw 
your  ship  into  the  wind,  and  lay  by  for  a  small  matter,  will 
ye  ?  and  I'll  soon  clear  a  passage." 

The  sounds  of  hammering  gave  an  assurance  that  the 
steward  was  in  earnest,  and  in  a  short  time  the  lock 
yielded,  when  the  door  was  opened. 

Benjamin  had  evidently  been  anticipating  the  seizure  of 
his  money,  for  he  had  made  frequent  demands  on  the 
favorite  cask  at  the  "  Bold  Dragoon,"  during  the  afternoon 
and  evening,  and  was  now  in  that  state  which  by  marine 
imagery  is  called  "  half-seas-over."  It  was  no  easy  thing 
to  destroy  the  balance  of  the  old  tar  by  the  effects  of  liquor, 
for,  as  he  expressed  it  himself,  uhe  was  too  low-rigged  not 
to  carry  sail  in  all  weathers  ; "  but  he  was  precisely  in 
that  condition  which  is  so  expressively  termed  "  muddy." 
When  he  perceived  who  the  visitors  were,  he  retreated  to 
the  side  of  the  room  where  his  pallet  lay,  and,  regardless 
of  the  presence  of  his  young  mistress,  seated  himself  on 
it  with  an  air  of  great  sobriety,  placing  his  back  firmly 
against  the  wall. 

"  If  you  undertake  to  spoil  my  locks  in  this  manner, 
Mr.  Pump,"  said  the  jailer,  "  I  shall  put  a  stopper,  as  you 
call  it,  on  your  legs,  and  tie  you  down  to  your  bed." 

"What  for  should  ye,  master ?"  grumbled  Benjamin; 
"  I've  rode  out  one  squall  to-day  anchored  by  the  heeU 


35?  THE  PIONEERS. 

and  I  wants  no  more  of  them.  Where's  the  harm  of  doing 
all  the  same  as  yourself  ?  Leave  that  there  door  free  out- 
board, and  you'll  find  no  locking  inboard,  I'll  promise  ye." 

"I  must  shut  up  for  the  night  at  nine,"  said  the  jailer 
"and  its  now  forty-two  minutes  past  eight."  He  placed 
the  little  candle  on  a  rough  pine  table,  and  withdrew. 

"  Leather-Stocking  !"  said  Elizabeth,  when  the  key  of 
the  door  was  turned  on  them  again,  "my  good  friend, 
Leather-Stocking  !  I  have  come  on  a  message  of  gratitude. 
Had  you  submitted  to  the  search,  worthy  old  man,  the 
death  of  the  deer  would  have  been  a  trifle,  and  all  would 
have  been  well " 

"Submit  to  the  sarch  !"  interrupted  Natty,  raising  his 
face  from  resting  on  his  knees,  without  rising  from  the 
corner  where  he  had  seated  himself  ;  "  d'ye  think  gal,  I 
would  let  such  a  varmint  into  my  hut  ?  No,  no — I  wouldn't 
have  opened  the  door  to  your  own  sweet  countenance  then. 
But  they  are  welcome  to  search  among  the  coals  and  ashes 
now  ;  they'll  find  only  some  such  heap  as  is  to  be  seen  at 
every  pot-ashery  in  the  mountains." 

The  old  man  dropped  his  face  again  on  one  hand,  and 
seemed  to  be  lost  in  melancholy. 

"The  hut  can  be  rebuilt,  and  made  better  than  before," 
returned  Miss  Temple  ;  "and  it  shall  be  my  office  to  see 
it  done,  when  your  imprisonment  is  ended." 

"  Can  ye  raise  the  dead,  child  ?"  said  Natty,  in  a  sorrow- 
ful voice:  "can  ye  go  into  the  place  where  you've  laid 
your  fathers,  and  mothers,  and  children,  and  gathered  to- 
gether their  ashes,  and  make  the  same  men  and  women 
of  them  as  afore  ?  You  do  not  know  what  'tis  to  lay  your 
head  for  more  than  forty  years  under  the  cover  of  the 
same  logs,  and  to  look  at  the  same  things  for  the  better 
part  of  a  man's  life.  You  are  young  yet,  child,  but  you 
are  one  of  the  most  precious  of  God's  creatures.  I  had 
hoped  for  ye  that  it  might  come  to  pass,  but  it's  all  over 
now  ;  this,  put  to  that,  will  drive  the  tiling  quite  out  of 
his  mind  forever." 

Miss  Temple  must  have  understood  the  meaning  of  the 
old  man  better  than  the  other  listeners  ;  for  while  Louisa 
stood  innocently  by  her  side,  commiserating  the  griefs  of 
the-  hunter,  she  bent  her  head  aside,  so  as  to  conceal  her 
features.  The  action  and  the  feeling  that  caused  it  lasted 
but  a  moment. 

"  Other  logs,  and  better,  though,  can  be  had,  and  shaH 


THE  PIONEERS.  359 

De  found  for  you,  my  old  defender,"  she  continued.  "  Your 
confinement  will  soon  be  over,  and,  before  that  time  arrives, 
I  shall  have  a  house  prepared  for  you,  where  you  may  spend 
the  close  of  your  long  and  harmless  life  in  ease  and  plenty." 

"  Ease  and  plenty  !  house  ! "  repeated  Natty,  slowly. 
"  You  mean  well,  you  mean  well,  and  I  quite  mourn  that 
it  cannot  be  ;  but  he  has  seen  me  a  sight  and  a  laughing- 
stock for " 

"  Damn  your  stocks,"  said  Benjamin,  flourishing  his 
bottle  with  one  hand,  from  which  he  had  been  taking  hasty 
and  repeated  draughts,  while  he  made  gestures  of  disdain 
with  the  other  ;  "  who  cares  for  his  bilboes  ?  there's  a  leg 
that's  been  stuck  up  on  end  like  a  jibboom  for  an  hour, 
d'ye  see,  and  what's  it  the  worst  for't,  ha  ?  canst  tell  me, 
what's  it  the  worser,  ha  ? " 

"  I  believe  you  forget,  Mr.  Pump,  in  whose  presence  you 
are,"  said  Elizabeth. 

"  Forget  you,  Miss  Lizzy,"  returned  the  steward  ;  "  if  I 
do,  dam'me  ;  you  are  not  to  be  forgot,  like  Goody  Pretty- 
bones,  up  at  the  big  house  there.  I  say,  old  sharp  shooter, 
she  may  have  pretty  bones,  but  I  can't  say  so  much  for  her 
flesh,  d'ye  see,  for  she  looks  somewhat  like  an  atomy  with 
another  man's  jacket  on.  Now  for  the  skin  of  her  face,  it's 
all  the  same  as  a  new  top-sail  with  a  taut  bolt-rope,  being 
snug  at  the  leeches,  but  all  in  a  bight,  about  the  inner 
cloths." 

"  Peace — I  command  you  to  be  silent,  sir  !"  said  Eliza- 
beth. 

"  Ay,  ay,  ma'am,"  returned  the  steward.  "  You  didn't 
say  I  shouldn't  drink,  though." 

"  We  will  not  speak  of  what  is  to  become  of  others,"  said 
Miss  Temple,  turning  again  to  the  hunter — "  but  of  your 
own  fortunes,  Natty.  It  shall  be  my  care  to  see  that  you 
pass  the  rest  of  your  days  in  ease  and  plenty." 

"  Ease  and  plenty  !  "  again  repeated  the  Leather-Stock- 
ing ;  "  what  ease  can  there  be  to  an  old  man,  who  must 
walk  a  mile  across  the  open  fields,  before  be  can  find  a 
shade  to  hide  him  from  a  scorching  sun  !  or  what  plenty  is 
there  where  you  hunt  a  day,  and  not  start  a  buck,  or  see 
anything  bigger  than  a  mink,  or  maybe  a  stray  fox !  Ah  ! 
I  shall  have  a  hard  time  after  them  very  beavers,  for  this 
fine.  I  must  go  low  toward  the  Pennsylvania  line  in  search 
of  the  creatures,  maybe  a  hundred  mile  ;  for  they  are  not 
to  be  got  here-away.  No,  no — your  betterments  and 


56o  THE  PIONEERS. 

ings  have  druv  the  knowing  things  out  of  the  country 
and  instead  of  beaver-dams,  which  is  the  nater  of  the  ani- 
mal, and  according  to  Providence,  you  turn  back  the  waters 
over  the  low  grounds  with  your  mill-dams,  as  if  'twas  in 
man  to  stay  the  drops  from  going  where  He  wills  them  to 
go — Benny,  unless  you  stop  your  hand  from  going  so  often 
to  your  mouth,  you  won't  be  ready  to  start  when  the  time 
comes." 

"  Hark'ee,  Master  Bump-ho,"  said  the  steward  ;  "  don't 
you  fear  for  Ben.  When  the  watch  is  called,  set  me  on  my 
legs,  and  give  me  the  bearings  and  the  distance  of  where 
you  want  me  to  steer,  and  I'll  carry  sail  with  the  best  of 
you,  I  will." 

"  The  time  has  come  now,"  said  the  hunter,  listening  ; 
"  I  hear  the  horns  of  the  oxen  rubbing  ag'in  the  side  of 
the  jail." 

"  Well,  say  the  word,  and  then  heave  ahead,  shipmate," 
said  Benjamin. 

"You  won't  betray  us,  gal  ?"  said  Natty,  looking  simply 
into  the  face  of  Elizabeth — "you  won't  betray  an  old  man, 
who  craves  to  breathe  the  clear  air  of  heaven  ?  I  mean  no 
harm  ;  and  if  the  law  says  that  I  must  pay  the  hundred 
dollars,  I'll  take  the  season  through,  but  it  shall  be  forth- 
coming ;  and  this  good  man  will  help  me." 

"You  catch  them,"  said  Benjamin,  with  a  sweeping  ges- 
ture of  his  arm,  "and  if  they  get  away  again,  call  me  a 
slink,  that's  all." 

"  But  what  mean  you  ?"  cried  the  wondering  Elizabeth. 
"  Here  you  must  stay  for  thirty  days  ;  but  I  have  the  money 
for  your  fine  in  this  purse.  Take  it ;  pay  it  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  summon  patience  for  your  month.  I  will  come 
often  to  see  you,  with  my  friend  ;  we  will  make  up  your 
clothes  with  our  own  hands  ;  indeed,  indeed,  you  shall  be 
comfortable." 

"  Would  ye,  children  ?"  said  Natty,  advancing  across  the 
rloor  with  an  air  of  kindness,  and  taking  the  hand  of 
Elizabeth.  "  would  ye  be  so  kearful  of  an  old  man,  and 
just  for  shooting  a  beast  which  cost  him  nothing?  Such 
things  doesn't  run  in  the  blood,  I  believe,  for  you  seem 
not  to  forget  a  favor.  Your  little  fingers  couldn't  do  muck 
on  a  buckskin,  nor  be  you  used  to  push  such  a  thread  as 
sinews.  But  if  he  hasn't  got  past  hearing,  he  shall  hear  it 
and  know  it,  that  he  may  see,  like  me,  there  is  some  wh<? 
know  how  to  remember  a  kindness," 


THE  PIONEERS.  361 

"Tell  him  nothing,"  cried  Elizabeth,  earnestly  ;  "if  yoai 
love  me,  if  you  regard  my  feelings,  tell  him  nothing.  It 
is  of  yourself  only  I  would  talk,  and  for  yourself  only  I 
act.  I  grieve,  Leather-Stocking,  that  the  law  requires 
that  you  should  be  detained  here  so  long ;  but,  after  all, 
it  will  be  only  a  short  month,  and " 

"A  month  ?"  exclaimed  Natty,  opening  his  mouth  with 
his  usual  laugh,  "  not  a  day,  nor  a  night,  nor  an  hour,  gal 
Judge  Temple  may  sintence,  but  he  can't  keep  without  a 
better  dungeon  than  this.  I  was  taken  once  by  the  French, 
and  they  put  sixty-two  of  us  in  a  block-house,  nigh  hand 
to  old  Frontinac  ;  but  'twas  easy  to  cut  through  a  pine  log 
to  them  that  was  used  to  timber."  The  hunter  paused,  and 
looked  cautiously  around  the  room,  when,  laughing  again, 
he  shoved  the  steward  gently  from  his  post,  and  removing 
the  bedclothes,  discovered  a  hole  recently  cut  in  the  logs 
with  a  mallet  and  chisel.  "  It's  only  a  kick,  and  the  out- 
side piece  is  off,  and  then " 

"  Off  !  ay,  off !  "  cried  Benjamin,  rising  from  his  stupor  ; 
"well,  here's  off.  Ay  !  ay!  you  catch  'em,  and  I'll  hold 
on  to  them  said  beaver-hats." 

"I  fear  this  lad  will  trouble  me  much,"  said  Natty; 
"'twill  be  a  hard  pull  for  the  mountain,  should  they  take 
the  scent  soon,  and  he  is  not  in  a  state  of  mind  to  run." 

"  Run  !  "  echoed  the  steward  ;  "  no,  sheer  alongside,  and 
let's  have  a  fight  of  it." 

"  Peace  i  "  ordered  Elizabeth. 

"Ay,  ay,  ma'am." 

"You  will  not  leave  us,  surely,  Leather-Stocking,"  con- 
tinued Miss  Temple  ;  "  I  beseech  you,  reflect  that  you  will 
be  driven  to  the  woods  entirely,  and  that  you  are  fast  get- 
ting old.  Be  patient  for  a  little  time,  when  you  can  go 
abroad  openly,  and  with  honor." 

"  Is  there  beaver  to  be  catched  here,  gal  ? " 

"  If  not,  here  is  money  to  discharge  the  fine,  and  in  * 
month  you  are  free.  See,  here  it  is  in  gold." 

"Gold!"  said  Natty,  with  a  kind  of  childish  curiosity: 
"it's  long  sin'  I've  seen  a  gold-piece.  We  used  to  get 
the  broad  joes,  in  the  old  war,  as  plenty  as  the  bears  be 
now.  I  remember  there  was  a  man  in  Dieskau's  army, 
that  was  killed,  who  had  a  dozen  of  the  shining  things 
sewed  up  in  his  shirt.  I  didn't  handle  them  myself,  but 
I  seen  them  cut  out  with  my  own  eyes  ;  thev  was  biggei 
and  brighter  than  them  be," 


362  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  These  are  English  guineas,  and  are  yours,"  said  Eliza 
beth  ;  "  an  earnest  of  what  shall  be  done  for  you." 

"  Me  !  why  should  you  give  me  this  treasure ! "  said 
Natty,  looking  earnestly  at  the  maiden. 

"  Why  !  have  you  not  saved  my  life  ?  did  you  not  rescue 
me  from  the  jaws  of  the  beast  ?"  exclaimed  Elizabeth,  veiling 
her  eyes,  as  if  to  hide  some  hideous  object  from  her  view. 

The  hunter  took  the  money,  and  continued  turning  it  ID 
his  hand  for  some  time,  piece  by  piece,  talking  aloud  dur- 
ing the  operation. 

"There's  a  rifle,  they  say,  out  on  the  Cherry  Valley,  that 
will  carry  a  hundred  rods  and  kill.  I've  seen  good  guns  in 
my  day,  but  none  quite  equal  to  that.  A  hundred  rods 
with  any  sartainty  is  great  shooting  !  Well,  well — I'm  old, 
and  the  gun  I  have  will  answer  my  time.  Here,  child,  take 
back  your  gold.  But  the  hour  has  come  ;  I  hear  him  talk- 
ing to  the  cattle,  and  I  must  be  going.  You  won't  tell  of 
us,  gal — you  won't  tell  of  us,  will  ye  ? " 

"  Tell  of  you  ! "  echoed  Elizabeth.  "  But  take  the  money, 
old  man;  take  the  mone.y,  even  if  you  go  into  the  mountains." 

"  No,  no,"  said  Natty,  shaking  his  head  kindly  ;  "I  would 
not  rob  you  so  for  twenty  rifles.  But  there's  one  thing  you 
can  do  for  me,  if  ye  will,  that  no  other  is  at  hand  to  do." 

"Name  it — name  it." 

"  Why,  it's  only  to  buy  a  canister  of  powder — 'twill  cost 
two  silver  dollars.  Benny  Pump  has  the  money  ready,  but 
we  daren't  come  into  the  town  to  get  it.  Nobody  has  it 
but  the  Frenchman.  'Tis  of  the  best,  and  just  suits  a  rifle. 
Will  you  get  it  for  me,  gal  ? — say,  will  you  get  it  for  me  ?  " 

"  Will  I  ?  I  will  bring  it  to  you,  Leather-Stocking, 
though  I  toil  a  day  in  quest  of  you  through  the  woods. 
£ut  where  shall  I  find  you,  and  how  ?  " 

^  Where  ?"  said  Natty,  musing  a  moment — "  to-morrow 
on  the  Vision  ;  on  the  very  top  of  the  Vision,  I'll  meet  yous 
ehild,  just  as  the  sun  gets  over  our  heads.  See  that  it's  the 
fine  grain  ;  you'll  know  it  by  the  gloss  and  the  price." 

«'  fwill  do  It,"  said  Elizabeth,  firmly. 

Natty  now  seated  himself,  and  placing,  his  feet  in  the 
hole,  with  a  slight  eifprt  he  opened  a  passage  through  into 
the  street.  The  ladies  heard  the  rustling  of  hay,  and  well 
understood  the  reason  why  Edwards  was  in  the  capacity  oi 
a  teamster. 

"  jCome,  Benny,"  said  the  hunter  :  "'twill  be  no.  darkej 
to-night,  'for  the  moon  will  rise  in  an  hour," 


THE  PIONEERS.  363 

"  Stay !  "  exclaimed  Elizabeth  ;  "  it  should  not  be  said 
that  you  escaped  in  the  presence  of  the  daughter  of  Judge 
Temple.  Return,  Leather-Stocking,  and  let  us  retire,  be- 
fore you  execute  your  plan." 

Natty  was  about  to  reply,  when  the  approaching  foot- 
steps of  the  jailer  announced  the  necessity  of  his  immediate 
return.  He  had  barely  time  to  regain  his  feet,  and  to  con- 
ceal the  hole  with  the  bedclothes,  across  which  Benjamin 
very  opportunely  fell,  before  the  key  was  turned,  and  the 
door  of  the  apartment  opened. 

"  Isn't  Miss  Temple  ready  to  go  ?  "  said  the  civil  jailer  ; 
"it's  the  usual  hour  for  locking  up." 

"I  follow  you,  sir,"  returned  Elizabeth;  "good-night, 
Leather-Stocking. " 

"  It's  a  fine  grain,  gal,  and  I  think  'twill  carry  lead  fur- 
ther than  common.  I  am  getting  old,  and  can't  follow  up 
the  game  with  the  step  I  used  to  could." 

Miss  Temple  waved  her  hand  for  silence,  and  preceded 
Louisa  and  the  keeper  from  the  apartment.  The  man 
turned  the  key  once,  and  observed  that  he  would  return 
and  secure  his  prisoners,  when  he  had  lighted  the  ladies  to 
the  street.  Accordingly,  they  parted  at  the  door  of  the 
building,  when  the  jailer  retired  to  his  dungeons,  and 
the  ladies  walked,  with  throbbing  hearts,  toward  the 
corner. 

"  Now  the  Leather-Stocking  refuses  the  money,"  whis- 
pered Louisa,  "  it  can  all  be  given  to  Mr.  Edwards,  and 
that  added  to " 

"  Listen  !  "  said  Elizabeth  ;  "  I  hear  the  rustling  of  the 
hay  ;  they  are  escaping  at  this  moment.  Oh  !  they  will  be 
detected  instantly  ! " 

By  this  time  they  were  at  the  corner,  where  Edwards 
and  Natty  were  in  the  act  of  drawing  the  almost  helpless 
body  of  Benjamin  through  the  aperture.  The  oxen  had 
started  back  from  their  hay,  and  were  standing  with  their 
heads  down  the  street,  leaving  room  for  the  party  to 
act  in. 

"  Throw  the  hay  into  the  cart,"  said  Edwards,  "  or  they 
will  suspect  how  it  has  been  done.  Quick,  that  they  may 
not  see  it." 

Natty  had  just  returned  from  executing  this  order,  when 
the  light  of  the  keeper's  candle  shone  through  the  hole, 
and  instantly  his  voice  was  heard  in  the  jail,  exclaiming 
for  his  prisoners. 


^64  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  What  is  to  be  done  now  ?  "  said  Edwards — "  this 
drunken  fellow  will  cause  our  detection,  and  we  have  not 
a  moment  to  spare." 

"  Who's  drunk,  ye  lubber  ?  "  muttered  the  steward. 

"A  break -jail  !  a  break-jail!"  shouted  five  or  six  voices 
from  within. 

"We  must  leave  him,"  said  Edwards. 

"  'Twouldn't  be  kind,  lad,"  returned  Natty  ;  "  he  took 
half  the  disgrace  of  the  stocks  on  himself  to-day,  and  the 
creater  has  feeling." 

At  this  moment  two  or  three  men  were  heard  issuing 
from  the  door  of  the  "  Bold  Dragoon,"  and  among  them 
the  voice  of  Billy  Kirby. 

"  There's  no  moon  yet,"  cried  the  wood-chopper  ;  "  but 
it's  a  clear  night.  Come,  who's  for  home  ?  Hark  !  what 
a  rumpus  they're  kicking  up  in  the  jail — here's  go  and  see 
what  it's  about." 

"We  shall  be  lost,"  said  Edwards,  "if  we  don't  drop 
this  man." 

At  that  instant  Elizabeth  moved  close  to  him,  and  said 
rapidly,  in  a  low  voice  : 

"Lay  him  in  the  cart,  and  start  the  oxen  ;  no  one  will 
look  there." 

"There's  a  woman's  quickness  in  the  thought,"  said  the 
youth. 

The  proposition  was  no  sooner  made  than  executed. 
The  steward  was  seated  on  the  hay,  and  enjoined  to  hold 
his  peace  and  apply  the  goad  that  was  placed  in  his  hand, 
while  the  oxen  were  urged  on.  So  soon  as  this  arrange- 
ment was  completed,  Edwards  and  the  hunter  stole  along 
the  houses  for  a  short  distance,  when  they  disappeared 
through  an  opening  that  led  into  the  rear  of  the  buildings. 
The  oxen  were  in  brisk  motion,  and  presently  the  cries  of 
pursuit  were  heard  in  the  street.  The  ladies  quickened 
their  pace,  with  a  wish  to  escape  the  crowd  of  constables 
and  idlers  that  were  approaching,  some  execrating,  and 
some  laughing  at  the  exploit  of  the  prisoners.  In  the 
confusion,  the  voice  of  Kirby  was  plainly  distinguishable 
above  all  the  others,  shouting  and  swearing  that,  he  would 
have  the  fugitives,  threatening  to  bring  back  Natty  in  one 
pocket,  and  Benjamin  in  the  other. 

"  Spread  yourselves,  men,"  he  cried,  as  he  passed  the 
ladies,  his  heavy  feet  sounding  along  the  street  like  the 
tread  of  a  dozen  ;  "  spread  yourselves  ;  to  the  mountains  ' 


THE  PIONEERS.  365 

they'll  be  in  the  mountains  in  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  and 
then  look  out  for  a  long  rifle." 

His  cries  were  echoed  from  twenty  mouths,  for  not  only 
the  jail,  but  the  taverns  had  sent  forth  their  numbers, 
some  earnest  in  the  pursuit,  and  others  joining  it  as  in 
s;./ort. 

As  Elizabeth  turned  in  at  her  father's  gate  she  saw  the 
?70od -chopper  stop  at  the  cart,  when  she  gave  Benjamin 
«p  for  lost.  While  they  were  hurrying  up  the  walk,  two 
figures,  stealing  cautiously  but  quickly  under  the  shades  of 
the  trees,  met  the  eyes  of  the  ladies,  and  in  a  moment  Ed- 
wards and  the  hunter  crossed  their  path. 

"  Miss  Temple,  I  may  never  see  you  again,"  exclaimed 
the  youth  ;  "  let  me  thank  you  for  all  your  kindness  ;  you 
do  not,  cannot  know  my  motives." 

"  Fly  !  fly  ! "  cried  Elizabeth  ;  "  the  village  is  alarmed. 
Do  not  be  found  conversing  with  me  at  such  a  moment,  and 
in  these  grounds." 

"  Nay,  I  must  speak,  though  detection  were  certain." 

"  Your  retreat  to  the  bridge  is  already  cut  off  ;  before  you 
can  gain  the  wood  your  pursuers  will  be  there.  If " 

"  If  what  ?"  cried  the  youth.  "Your  advice  has  saved 
me  once  already  ;  I  will  follow  it  to  death." 

"The  street  is  now  silent  and  vacant,"  said  Elizabeth, 
after  a  pause  ;  "  cross  it,  and  you  will' find  my  father's  boat 
in  the  lake.  It  would  be  easy  to  land  from  it  where  you 
please  in  the  hills." 

"  But  Judge  Temple  might  complain  of  the  trespass." 

"  His  daughter  shall  be  accountable,  sir." 

The  youth  uttered  something  in  a  low  voice,  that  was 
heard  only  by  Elizabeth,  and  turned  to  execute  what  she 
had  suggested.  As  they  were  separating,  Natty  approached 
the  females,  and  said  : 

"You'll  remember  the  canister  of  powder,  children. 
Them  beavers  must  be  had,  and  I  and  the  pups  be  getting 
3ld  ;  we  want  the  best  of  ammunition." 

"  Come,  Natty,"  said  Edwards,  impatiently. 

"  Coming,  lad,  coming.  God.  bless  you,  young  ones, 
both  of  ye,  for  ye  mean  well  and  kindly  to  the  old  man." 

The  ladies  paused  until  they  had  lost  sight  of  the  retreat^ 
ing  figures,  when  they  immediately  entered  the  mansion- 
house. 

While  this  scene  was  passing  in  the  walk,  Kirby  had 
overtaken  the  cart,  which  was  his  own,  and  had  been  driven 


366  THE  PIONEERS. 

by  Edwards,  without  asking  the  owner,  from  the  place 
where  the  patient  oxen  usually  stood  at  evening,  waiting 
the  pleasure  of  their  master. 

"Woa — come  hither,  Golden,"  he  cried;  "why,  how 
come  you  off  the  end  of  the  bridge,  where  I  left  you,  dum- 
mies ?  " 

"Heave  ahead,"  muttered  Benjamin,  giving  a  random 
blow  with  his  lash,  that  alighted  on  the  shoulder  of  the 
other. 

"  Who  the  devil  be  you  ?  "  cried  Billy,  turning  round  in 
surprise,  but  unable  to  distinguish,  in  the  dark,  the  hard 
visage  that  was  just  peering  over  the  cart-rails. 

"Who  be  I  ?  why  I'm  helmsman  aboard  of  his  here  craft, 
d'ye  see,  and  a  straight  wake  I'm  making  of  it.  Ay,  ay  ! 
I've  got  the  bridge  right  ahead,  and  the  bilboes  dead  aft ; 
I  calls  that  good  steerage,  boy.  Heave  ahead." 

"  Lay  your  lash  in  the  right  spot,  Mr.  Benny  Pump," 
said  the  wood-chopper,  "  or  I'll  put  you  in  the  palm  of  my 
hand  and  box  your  ears.  Where  be  you  going  with  my 
team  ? " 

"  Team  ! " 

"  Ay,  my  cart  and  oxen." 

"  Why,  you  must  know,  Master  Kirby,  that  the  Leather- 
Stocking  and  I — that's  Benny  Pump — you  knows  Ben  ? — 
well,  Benny  and  I — no,  me  and  Benny  ;  dam'me  if  I  know 
how  'tis  ;  but  some  of  us  are  bound  after  a  cargo  of  beaver- 
skins,  d'ye  see,  so  we've  pressed  the  cart  to  ship  them  'ome 
in.  I  say,  Master  Kirby,  what  a  lubberly  oar  you  pull — 
you  handle  an  oar,  boy,  pretty  much  as  a  cow  would  a 
musket,  or  a  lady  would  a  marling-spike." 

Billy  had  discovered  the  state  of  the  steward's  mind,  and 
he  walked  for  some  time  alongside  of  the  cart,  musing  with 
himself,  when  he  took  the  goad  from  Benjamin  (who  fell 
back  on  the  hay  and  was  soon  asleep)  and  drove  his  cattle 
down  the  street,  over  the  bridge,  and  up  the  mountain,  to 
ward  a  clearing  in  which  he  was  to  work  the  next  day, 
without  any  other  interruption  than  a  few  hasty  questions 
from  parties  of  the  constables. 

Elizabeth  stood  for  an  hour  at  the  window  of  her  room, 
and  saw  the  torches  of  the  pursuers  gliding  along  the  side 
of  the  mountain,  and  heard  their  shouts  and  alarms  ;  but, 
at  the  end  of  that  time,  the  last  party  returned,  wearied  and 
disappointed,  and  the  village  became  as  still  as  when  sne 
issued  from  the  gate  on  her  mission  to  the  jail. 


THE  PIONEERS.  367 


CHAPTER   XXXVI. 

"And  I  could  weep  " — th'  Oneida  chief 

His  descant  wildly  thus  begun — 
"But  that  I  may  not  stain  with  grief 

The  death-song  of  my  father's  son." 

— GERTRUDE  OF  WYOMING. 

IT  was  yet  early  on  the  following  morning,  when  Eliza- 
beth and  Louisa  met  by  appointment,  and  proceeded  to  the 
store  of  Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  in  order  to  redeem  the  pledge 
the  former  had  given  to  the  Leather-Stocking.  The  peo- 
ple were  again  assembling  for  the  business  of  the  day,  but 
the  hour  was  too  soon  for  a  crowd,  and  the  ladies  found 
the  place  in. possession  of  its  polite  owner,  Billy  Kirby,  one 
female  customer,  and  the  boy  who  did  the  duty  of  helper 
or  clerk. 

Monsieur  Le  Quoi  was  perusing  a  packet  of  letters  with 
manifest  delight,  while  the  wood-chopper,  with  one  hand 
thrust  in  his  bosom,  and  the  other  in  the  folds  of  his  jacket, 
holding  an  axe  under  his  right  arm,  stood  sympathizing  in 
the  Frenchman's  pleasure  with  good-natured  interest.  The 
freedom  of  manners  that  prevailed  in  the  new  settlements 
commonly  levelled  all  difference  in  rank,  and  with  it,  fre- 
quently, all  considerations  of  education  and  intelligence. 
At  the  time  the  ladies  entered  the  store,  they  were  unseen 
by  the  owner,  who  was  saying  to  Kirby  : 

"  Ah !  ha  !  Monsieur  Beel,  dis  lettair  mak  me  de  most 
happi  of  mans.  Ah  !  ma  chere  France  !  I  vill  see  you 
again." 

"  I  rejoice,  monsieur,  at  anything  that  contributes  to 
your  happiness,"  said  Elizabeth,  "  but  hope  we  are  not  go- 
ing to  lose  you  entirely." 

The  complaisant  shopkeeper  changed  the  language  to 
French,  and  recounted  rapidly  to  Elizabeth  his  hopes  of 
being  permitted  to  return  to  his  own  country.  Habit  had, 
however,  so  far  altered  the  manners  of  this  pliable  person- 
age, that  he  continued  to  serve  the  wood-chopper,  who  was 
in  quest  of  some  tobacco,  while  he  related  to  his  more  gen- 
tle visitor  the  happy  change  that  had  taken  place  in  the 
dispositions  of  his  own  countrymen. 

The  amount  of  it  all  was,  that  Mr.  Le  Quoi,  who  had  fled 
from  his  own  country  more  through  terror  than  because  he 


368  THE  PIONEERS. 

was  offensive  to  the  ruling  powers  in  France,  had  succeed- 
ed  at  length  in  getting  an  assurance  that  his  return  to  the 
West  Indies  would  be  unnoticed  ;  and  the  Frenchman, 
who  had  sunk  into  the  character  of  a  country  shopkeeper 
with  so  much  grace,  was  about  to  emerge  again  from  his 
obscurity  into  his  proper  level  in  society. 

We  need  not  repeat  the  civil  things  that  passed  between 
ihe  parties  on  this  occasion,  nor  recount  the  endless  repeti" 
lions  of  sorrow  that  the  delighted  Frenchman  expressed 
at  being  compelled  to  quit  the  society  of  Miss  Temple.  Eliz' 
abeth  took  an  opportunity,  during  this  expenditure  of  po- 
lite expressions,  to  purchase  the  powder  privately  of  the 
boy,  who  bore  the  generic  apellation  of  Jonathan.  Before 
they  parted,  however,  Mr.  Le  Quoi,  who  seemed  to  think 
that  he  had  not  said  enough,  solicited  the  honor  of  a  private 
interview  with  the  heiress,  with  a  gravity  in  his  air  that  an- 
nounced the  importance  of  the  subject.  After  conceding 
the  favor,  and  appointing  a  more  favorable  time  for  the 
meeting,  Elizabeth  succeeded  in  getting  out  of  the  store, 
into  which  the  countrymen  now  began  to  enter,  as  usual, 
where  they  met  with  the  same  attention  and  bienseance  as 
formerly. 

Elizabeth  and  Louisa  pursued  their  walk  as  far  as  the 
bridge  in  profound  silence  ;  but  when  they  reached  that 
place  the  latter  stopped,  and  appeared  anxious  to  utter 
something  that  her  diffidence  suppressed. 

"  Are  you  ill,  Louisa  ?  "  exclaimed  Miss  Temple  ;  "  had 
we  not  better  return,  and  seek  another  opportunity  to  meet 
the  old  man  ?" 

"  Not  ill,  but  terrified.  Oh  i  I  never,  never  can  go  on 
that  hill  again  with  you  only.  I  am  not  equal  to  it,  in- 
deed I  am  not." 

This  was  an  unexpected  declaration  to  Elizabeth,  who, 
although  she  experienced  no  idle  apprehension  of  a  danger 
.;hat  no  longer  existed,  felt  most  sensitively  all  the  delicacy 
of  maiden  modesty.  She  stood  for  some  time,  deeply  re- 
flecting within  herself  ;  but,  sensible  it  was  a  time  for  action 
instead  of  reflection,  she  struggled  to  shake  off  her  hesita* 
tion,  and  replied,  firmly  : 

"  Well,  then  it  must  be  done  by  me  alone.  There  is  no 
other  than  yourself  to  be  trusted,  or  poor  old  Leather- 
Stocking  will  be  discovered.  Wait  for  me  in  the  edge  of 
these  woods,  that  at  least  I  may  not  be  seen  strolling  in  the 
hills  by  myself  just  now.  One  would  not  wish  to 


THE  PIONEERS.  369 

remarks,  Louisa — if — if You  will  wait  for  me,  dear 

girl?" 

"  A  year,  in  sight  of  the  village,  Miss  Temple,"  returned 
the  agitated  Louisa,  "  but  do  not,  do  not  ask  me  to  go  on 
that  hill." 

Elizabeth  found  that  her  companion  was  really  unable  to 
proceed,  and  they  completed  their  arrangement  by  posting 
Louisa  out  of  the  observation  of  the  people  who  -occasion- 
ally passed,  but  nigh  the  road,  and  in  plain  view  of  the 
whole  valley.  Miss  Temple  then  proceeded  alone.  She 
ascended  the  road  which  has  been  so  often  mentioned  in 
our  narrative,  with  an  elastic  and  firm  step,  fearful  that  the 
delay  in  the  store  of  Mr.  Le  Quoi,  and  the  time  necessary 
for  reaching  the  summit,  would  prevent  her  being  punctual 
to  the  appointment.  Whenever  she  passed  an  opening  in 
the  bushes,  she  would  pause  for  breath,  or,  perhaps,  drawn 
from  her  pursuit  by  the  picture  at  her  feet,  would  linger  a 
moment  to  gaze  at  the  beauties  of  the  valley.  The  long 
drought  had,  however,  changed  its  coat  of  verdure  to  a  hue 
of  brown,  and,  though  the  same  localities  were  there,  the 
view  wanted  the  lively  and  cheering  aspect  of  early  sum- 
mer. Even  the  heavens  seemed  to  share  in  the  dried  ap- 
pearance of  the  earth,  for  the  sun  was  concealed  by  a  hazi- 
ness in  the  atmosphere,  which  looked  like  a  thin  smoke 
without  a  particle  of  moisture,  if  such  a  thing  were  possi- 
ble. The  blue  sky  was  scarcely  to  be  seen,  though  now 
and  then  there  was  a  faint  lighting  up  in  spots,  through 
which  masses  of  rolling  vapor  could  be  discerned  gathering 
around  the  horizon,  as  if  nature  were  struggling  to  collect 
her  floods  for  the  relief  of  man.  The  very  atmosphere 
that  Elizabeth  inhaled  was  hot  and  dry,  and  by  the  time  she 
reached  the  point  where  the  course  led  her  from  the  high- 
way she  experienced  a  sensation  like  suffocation.  But,  dis- 
regarding her  feelings  she  hastened  to  execute  her  mission, 
dwelling  on  nothing  but  the  disappointment,  and  even  the 
helplessness,  the  hunter  would  experience  without  her  aid, 

On  the  summit  of  the  mountain  which  Judge  Temple 
had  named  the  "  Vision,"  a  little  spot  had  been  cleared,  in 
order  that  a  better  view  might  be  obtained  of  the  village 
and  the  valley.  At  this  point  Elizabeth  understood  the 
hunter  she  was  to  meet  him  ;  and  thither  she  urged  her 
way,  as  expeditiously  as  the  difficulty  of  the  ascent,  and 
the  impediment  of  a  forest,  in  a  state  of  nature,  would  ad- 
mit.  Numberless  were  the  fragments  of  rocks,  trunks  c»J 
24 


370  THE  PIONEERS. 

fallen  trees,  and  branches,  with  which  she  had  to  contend  \ 
but  every  difficulty  vanished  before  her  resolution,  and  by 
her  own  watch,  she  stood  on  the  desired  spot  several  min- 
utes before  the  appointed  hour. 

After  resting  a  moment  on  the  end  of  a  log,  Miss  Temple 
cast  a  glance  about  her  in  quest  of  her  old  friend,  but  he 
was  evidently  not  in  the  clearing  ;  she  arose  and  walked 
around  its  skirts,  examining  every  place  where  she  thought 
it  probable  Natty  might  deem  it  prudent  to  conceal  him- 
self. Her  search  was  fruitless  ;  and,  after  exhausting  not 
only  herself,  but  her  conjectures,  in  efforts  to  discover  or 
imagine  his  situation,  she  ventured  to  trust  her  voice  in 
that  solitary  place. 

''Natty !  Leather-Stocking  !  old  man  !  "  she  called  aloud, 
in  every  direction  ;  but  no  answer  was  given,  excepting 
the  reverberations  of  her  own  clear  tones,  as  they  were 
echoed  in  the  parched  forest. 

Elizabeth  approached  the  brow  of  the  mountain,  where 
a  faint  cry,  like  the  noise  produced  by  striking  the  hand 
against  the  mouth,  at  the  same  time  that  the  breath  is 
strongly  exhaled,  was  heard  answering  to  her  own  voice. 
Not  doubting  in  the  least  that  it  was  the  Leather-Stocking 
lying  in  wait  for  her,  and  who  gave  that  signal  to  indicate 
the  place  where  he  was  to  be  found,  Elizabeth  descended 
for  near  a  hundred  feet,  until  she  gained  a  little  natural 
terrace,  thinly  scattered  with  trees,  that  grew  in  the  fis- 
sures of  the  rocks,  which  were  covered  by  a  scanty  soil. 
She  had  advanced  to  the  edge  of  this  platform,  and  was 
gazing  over  the  perpendicular  precipice  that  formed  its 
face,  when  a  rustling  among  the  dry  leaves  near  her  drew 
her  eyes  in  another  direction.  Our  heroine  certainly  was 
startled  by  the  object  that  she  then  saw,  but  a  moment 
restored  her  self-possession,  and  she  advanced  firmly,  and 
with  some  interest  in  her  manner,  to  the  spot. 

Mohegan  was  seated  on  the  trunk  of  a  fallen  oak,  with 
his  tawny  visage  turned  toward  her,  and  his  eyes  fixed  on 
her  face  with  an  expression  of  wildness  and  fire,  that  would 
have  terrified  a  less  resolute  female.  His  blanket  had 
fallen  from  his  shoulders,  and  was  lying  infolds  around 
him,  leaving  his  breast,  arms,  and  most  of  his  body  bare 
The  medallion  of  Washington  reposed  on  his  chest,  a  badge 
of  distinction  that  Elizabeth  well  knew  he  only  produced 
on  great  and  solemn  occasions.  But  the  whole  appearance 
of  the  aged  chief  was  more  studied  than  common,  and  in 


TtfE  PIONEERS.  371 

some  particulars  it  was  terrific.  The  long  black  hair  was 
plaited  on  his  head,  falling  away,  so  as  to  expose  his  high 
forehead  and  piercing  eyes.  In  the  enormous  incisions  of 
his  ears  were  entwined  ornaments  of  silver,  beads,  and 
porcupine's  quills,  mingled  in  a  rude  taste,  and  after  the 
Indian  fashions.  A  large  drop,  composed  of  similar  ma- 
terials, was  suspended  from  the  cartilage  of  his  nose,  and, 
falling  below  his  lips,  rested  on  his  chin.  Streaks  of  red 
paint'crossed  his  wrinkled  brow,  and  were  traced  down  his 
cheeks,  with  such  variations  in  the  lines  as  caprice  or  cus- 
tom suggested.  His  body  was  also  colored  in  the  same 
manner  ;  the  whole  exhibiting  an  Indian  warrior  prepared 
for  some  event  of  more  than  usual  moment. 

"John!  how  fare  you,  worthy  John?"  said  Elizabeth, 
as  she  approached  him  ;  "you  have  long  been  a  stranger 
in  the  village.  You  promised  me  a  willow  basket,  and  I 
have  long  had  a  shirt  of  calico  in  readiness  for  you." 

The  Indian  looked  steadily  at  her  for  some  time  without 
answering,  and  then,  shaking  his  head,  he  replied,  in  his 
ow,  guttural  tones  : 

"  John's  hand  can  make  baskets  no  more — he  wants  no 
shirt.'* 

"  But  if  he  should,  he  will  know  where  to  come  for  it," 
returned  Miss  Temple.  "  Indeed,  old  John,  I  feel  as  if 
you  had  a  natural  right  to  order  what  you  will  from  us." 

"  Daughter,"  said  the  Indian,  "  listen  :  Six  times  ten  hot 
summers  have  passed  since  John  was  young ;  tall  like  a 
pine  ;  straight  like  the  bullet  of  Hawk-eye  ;  strong  as  a 
buffalo  ;  spry  as  the  cat  of  the  mountain.  He  was  strong, 
and  a  warrior  like  the  Young  Eagle.  If  his  tribe  wanted 
to  track  the  Maquas  for  many  suns,  the  eye  of  Chingach- 
gook  found  the  print  of  their  moccasins.  If  the  people 
feasted  and  were  glad,  as  they  counted  the  scalps  of  their 
enemies,  it  was  on  his  pole  they  hung.  If  the  squaws  cried 
because  there  was  no  meat  for  their  children,  he  was  the 
first  in  the  chase.  His  bullet  was  swifter  than  the  deer. 
Daughter,  then  Chingachgook  struck  his  tomahawk  into 
the  trees  ;  it  was  to  tell  the  lazy  ones  where  to  find  him  and 
the  Mingoes — but  he  made  no  baskets." 

"  Those  times  have  gone  by,  old  warrior,"  returned  Eliz- 
abeth ;  "  since  then  your  people  have  disappeared,  and,  ID 
place  of  chasing  your  enemies,  you  have  learned  to  fear 
God  and  to  live  at  peace." 

"Stand  here,   daughter,   where  you  can  see  the  great 


372  THE  PIONEERS. 

spring,  the  wigwams  of  your  father,  and  the  land  on  the 
crooked  river.  John  was  young  when  his  tribe  gave  away 
the  country,  in  council,  from  where  the  blue  mountain 
stands  above  the  water,  to  where  the  Susquehanna  is  hid 
by  the  trees.  All  this,  and  all  that  grew  in  it,  and  all  that 
walked  over  it,  and  all  that  fed  there,  they  gave  to  the  Fire- 
eater — for  they  loved  him.  He  was  strong,  and  they  were 
women,  and  he  helped  them.  No  Delaware  would  kill  a 
d?er  that  ran  in  his  woods,  nor  stop  a  bird  that  flew  over 
his  land  ;  for  it  was  his.  Has  John  lived  in  peace  ? 
Daughter,  since  John  was  young,  he  has  seen  the  white 
man  from  Frontinac  come  down  on  his  white  brothers  at 
Albany  and  fight.  Did  they  fear  God  ?  He  has  seen  his 
English  and  his  American  fathers  burying  their  tomahawks 
in  each  other's  brains,  for  this  very  land.  Did  they  fear 
God,  and  live  in  peace  ?  He  has  seen  the  land  pass  away 
from  the  Fire-eater,  and  his  children,  and  the  child  of  his 
child,  and  a  new  chief  set  over  the  country.  Did  they  live 
in  peace  who  did  this  ?  did  they  fear  God  ? " 

"  Such  is  the  custom  of  the  whites,  John.  Do  not  the 
Delawares  fight,  and  exchange  their  lands  for  powder,  and 
blankets,  and  merchandise  ?  " 

The  Indian  turned  his  dark  eyes  on  his  companion,  and 
kept  them  there  with  a  scrutiny  that  alarmed  her  a  little. 

"  Where  are  the  blankets  and  merchandise  that  bought 
the  right  of  the  Fire-eater  ? "  he  replied,  in  a  more  animated 
voice  ;  "  are  they  with  him  in  his  wigwam  ?  Did  they  say 
to  him,  Brother,  sell  us  your  land,  and  take  this  gold,  this 
silver,  these  blankets,  these  rifles,  or  even  this  rum  ?  No  ; 
they  tore  it  from  him,  as  a  scalp  is  torn  from  an  enemy  : 
and  they  that  did  it  looked  not  behind  them,  to  see  whether 
he  lived  or  died.  Do  such  men  live  in  peace  and  fear  the 
Great  Spirit  ? " 

"  But  you  hardly  understand  the  circumstances,"  said 
Elizabeth,  more  embarrassed  than  she  would  own,  even  to 
herself.  "  If  you  knew  our  laws  and  customs  better,  you 
would  judge  differently  of  our  acts.  Do  not  believe  evii 
of  my  father,  old  Mohegan,  for  he  is  just  and  good." 

"The  brother  of  Miquon  is  good,  and  he  will  do  right. 
I  have  said  it  to  Hawk-eye — I  have  said  it  to  the  Young 
Eagle  that  the  brother  of  Miquon  would  do  justice." 

"Wham  call  you  the  Young  Eagle  ?"  said  Elizabeth,  avert- 
ing her  face  from  the  gaze  of  the  Indian,  as  she  asked  the 
question  ;  "  whence  comes  he,  and  what  are  his  rights  ? " 


THE  PIONEERS.  373 

•'  Has  my  daughter  lived  so  long  with  him  to  ask  this 
question  ?  "  returned  the  Indian,  warily.  "  Old  age  freezes 
up  the  blood,  as  the  frosts  cover  the  great  spring  in  winter  ; 
but  youth  keeps  the  streams  of  the  blood  open  like  a  sun 
in  the  time"  of  blossoms.  The  Young  Eagle  has  eyes  ;  had 
he  no  tongue  ?  " 

The  loveliness  to  which  the  old  warrior  alluded  was  in 
no  degree  diminished  by  his  allegorical  speech  ;  for  the 
blushes  of  the  maiden  who  listened  covered  her  burning 
cheeks  till  her  dark  eyes  seemed  to  glow  with  their  reflec- 
tion ;  but,  after  struggling  a  moment  with  shame,  she 
laughed,  as  if  unwilling  to  undertsand  him  seriously,  and 
replied  in  pleasantry  : 

"  Not  to  make  me  the  mistress  of  his  secret.  He  is  too 
much  of  a  Delaware  to  tell  his  secret  thoughts  to  a  woman/* 

"  Daughter,  the  Great  Spirit  made  your  father  with  a 
white  skin,  and  he  made  mine  with  a  red  ;  but  he  colored 
both  their  hearts  with  blood.  When  young,  it  is  swift  and 
warm  ;  but  when  old,  it  is  still  and  cold.  Is  there  differ- 
ence below  the  skin  ?  No.  Once  John  had  a  woman. 
She  was  the  mother  of  so  many  sons  " — he  raised  his  hand 
with  three  fingers  elevated — "  and  she  had  daughters  that 
would  have  made  the  young  Delawares  happy.  She  was 
kind,  daughter,  and  what  I  said  she  did.  You  have  differ- 
ent fashions  ;  but  do  you  think  John  did  not  love  the  wife 
of  his  youth — the  mother  of  his  children  ?  " 

"  And  what  has  become  of  your  family,  John — your  wife 
and  your  children  ?  "  asked  Elizabeth,  touched  by  the  In- 
dian's manner. 

"  Where  is  the  ice  that  covered  the  great  spring  ?  It  is 
melted,  and  gone  with  the  waters.  John  has  lived  till  all 
his  people  have  left  him  for  the  land  of  spirits  ;  his  time 
has  come,  and  he  is  ready." 

Mohegan  dropped  his  head  in  his  blanket,  and  sat  in  si- 
lence. Miss  Temple  knew  not  what  to  say.  She  wished  to 
draw  the  thoughts  of  the  old  warrior  from  his  gloomy  rec- 
ollections, but  there  was  a  dignity  in  his  sorrow,  and  in  his 
fortitude,  that  repressed  her  efforts  to  speak.  After  along 
pause,  however,  she  renewed  the  discourse  by  asking  : 

"  Where  is  the  Leather-Stocking,  John  ?  I  have  brought 
this  canister  of  powder  at  his  request  ;  but  he  is  nowhere  to 
be  seen.  Will  you  take  charge  of  it,  and  see  it  delivered  ? " 

The  Indian  raised  his  head  slowly,  and  looked  earnestly 
at  the  gift,  which  she  put  into  his  hand. 


374  THE  PIONEERS. 

"  This  is  the  great  enemy  of  my  nation.  Without  this, 
when  could  the  white  man  drive  the  Delawares  ?  Daughter, 
the  Great  Spirit  gave  your  fathers  to  know  how  to  make 
guns  and  powder,  that  they  might  sweep  the  Indians  from 
the  land.  There  will  soon  be  no  red-skin  in  the  country; 
When  John  has  gone,  the  last  will  leave  these  hills,  and  his 
family  will  be  dead."  The  aged  warrior  stretched  his  body 
forward,  leaning  an  elbow  on  his  knee,  and  appeared  to  be 
taking  a  parting  look  at  the  objects  of  the  vale,  which  were 
still  visible  through  the  misty  atmosphere,  though  the  air 
seemed  to  thicken  at  each  moment  around  Miss  Temple, 
who  became  conscious  of  an  increased  difficulty  of  respira- 
tion. The  eye  of  Mohegan  changed  gradually  from  its 
sorrowful  expression  to  a  look  of  wildness  that  might  be 
supposed  to  border  on  the  inspiration  of  a  prophet,  as  he 
continued — "  But  he  will  go  on  to  the  country  where  his 
fathers  have  met.  The  game  shall  be  plenty  as  the  fish  in 
the  lakes.  No  woman  shall  cry  for  meat ;  no  Mingo  can 
ever  come.  The  chase  shall  be  for  children  ;  and  all  just 
red  men  shall  live  together  as  brothers." 

"John  !  this  is  not  the  heaven  of  a  Christian,"  cried  Miss 
Temple  ;  "you  deal  now  in  the  superstition  of  your  fore- 
fathers." 

"Fathers!  sons!"  said  Mohegan,  with  firmness — "all 
gone — all  gone ! — I  have  no  son  but  the  Young  Eagle,  and 
he  has  the  blood  of  a  white  man." 

"Tell  me,  John,"  said  Elizabeth,  willing  to  draw  his 
thoughts  to  other  subjects,  and  at  the  same  time  yielding 
to  her  own  powerful  interest  in  the  youth  ;  "who  is  this 
Mr.  Edwards  ?  why  are  you  so  fond  of  him,  and  whence 
does  he  come  ? " 

The  Indian  started  at  the  question,  which  evidently  re- 
called his  recollection  to  earth.  Taking  her  hand,  he  drew 
Miss  Temple  to  a  seat  beside  him,  and  pointed  to  the  coun- 
try beneath  them. 

"  See,  daughter,"  he  said,  directing  her  looks  toward  the 
north  ;  "  as  far  as  your  young  eyes  can  see,  it  was  the  land 
of  his " 

But  immense  volumes  of  smoke  at  that  moment  rolled 
over  their  heads,  and,  whirling  in  the  eddies  formed  by  the 
mountains,  interposed  a  barrier  to  their  sight,  while  he 
was  speaking.  Startled  by  this  circumstance,  Miss  Temple 
sprang  to  her  feet,  and,  turning  her  eyes  toward  the  sum- 
mit of  the  mountain,  she  beheld  it  covered  by  a  similai 


THE  PIONEERS.  375 

Canopy,  while  a  roaring  sound  was  heard  in  the  forest 
above  her  like  the  rushing  of  winds. 

"What  means  it,  John!"  she  exclaimed  .  "we  are  en- 
veloped in  smoke,  and  I  feel  a  heat  like  the  glow  of  a  fur- 
nace." 

Before  the  Indian  could  reply,  a  voice  was  heard  crying 
in  the  woods : 

"John  !  where  are  you,  old  Mohegan  ?  the  woods  are  on 
fire,  and  you  have  but  a  minute  for  escape." 

The  chief  put  his  hand  before  his  mouth, 'and,  making  it 
play  on  his  lips,  produced  the  kind  of  noise  that  had  at- 
tracted Elizabeth  to  the  place,  when  a  quick  and  hurried 
step  was  heard  dashing  through  the  dried  underbrush  and 
bushes,  and  presently  Edwards  rushed  to  his  side,  with 
horror  in  every  feature. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

"Love  rules  the  court,  the  camp,  the  grove." 

— LAY  OF  THE  LAST  MINSTREL. 

"  IT  would  have  been  sad,  indeed,  to  lose  you  in  such  a 
manner,  my  old  friend,"  said  Oliver,  catching  his  breath 
for  utterance.  "  Up  and  away  !  even  now  we  may  be  too 
late  ;  the  flames  are  circling  round  the  point  of  the  rock 
below,  and,  unless  we  can  pass  there,  our  only  chance 
must  be  over  the  precipice.  Away  !  away  !  shake  off  your 
apathy,  John  ;  now  is  the  time  of  need." 

Mohegan  pointed  toward  Elizabeth,  who,  forgetting  her 
danger,  had  sunk  back  to  a  projection  of  the  rock  as  soon 
as  she  recognized  the  sounds  of  Edwards's  voice,  and  said 
with  something  like  awakened  animation  : 

"Save  her — leave  John  to  die." 

"Her!  whom  mean  you?"  cried  the  youth,  turning 
quickly  to  the  place  the  other  indicated  ;  but  when  he  saw 
the  figure  of  Elizabeth  bending  toward  him  in  an  attitude 
that  powerfully  spoke  terror,  blended  with  reluctance  to 
meet  him  in  such  a  place,  the  shock  deprived  him  of 
speech. 

"  Miss  Temple  !  "  he  cried,  when  he  found  words  ;  "  you 
here  !  is  such  a  death  reserved  for  you  ! " 

"  No,  no,  no — no  death,  I  hope,  for  any  of  us,  Mr.  Ed- 
wards," she  replied,  endeavoring  to  speak  calmly  ;  "  there 


376  THE  PIONEERS. 

is  smoke,  but  no  fire  to  harm  us.  Let  us  endeavor  to  re- 
tire." 

"  Take  my  arm,"  said  Edwards  ;  "  there  must  be  an 
opening  in  some  direction  for  your  retreat.  Are  you 
equal  to  the  effort?" 

"  Certainly.  You  surely  magnify  the  danger,  Mr.  Ed- 
wards. Lead  me  out  the  way  you  came." 

"  I  will — I  will,"  cried  the  youth,  with  a  kind  of  hyster- 
ical utterance.  "  No,  no — there  is  no  danger — I  have 
alarmed  you  unnecessarily." 

"  But  shall  we  leave  the  Indian — can  we  leave  him,  as 
he  says,  to  die  ?  " 

An  expression  of  painful  emotion  crossed  the  face  of  the 
young  man  ;  he  stopped,  and  cast  a  longing  look  at  Mohe- 
gan,  but,  dragging  his  companion  after  him,  even  against 
her  will,  he  pursued  his  way  with  enormous  strides  toward 
the  pass  by  which  he  had  just  entered  the  circle  of  flame. 

"  Do  not  regard  him,"  he  said,  in  those  tones  that  de- 
note a  desperate  calmness  ;  "he  is  used  to  the  woods,  and 
such  scenes  ;  and  he  will  escape  up  the  mountain — over 
the  rock — or  he  can  remain  where  he  is  in  safety." 

"  You  thought  not  so  this  moment,  Edwards  !  Do  not 
leave  hini  there  to  meet  with  such  a  death,"  cried  Eliza- 
beth, fixing  a  look  on  the  countenance  of  her  conductor 
that  seemed  to  distrust  his  sanity. 

"An  Indian  burn  !  who  ever  heard  of  an  Indian  dying 
by  fire  ?  an  Indian  cannot  burn  ;  the  idea  is  ridiculous. 
Hasten,  hasten,  Miss  Temple,  or  the  smoke  may  incom- 
mode you." 

"Edwards!  your  look,  your  eye,  terrifies  me  !  tell  me 
the  danger  ;  is  it  greater  than  it  seems  ?  I  am  equal  to 
any  trial." 

"  If  we  reach  the  point  of  yon  rock  before  that  sheet  of 
fire,  we  are  safe,  Miss  Temple,"  exclaimed  the  young  man 
in  a  voice  that  burst  without  the  bounds  of  his  forced  com- 
posure. "  Fly  !  the  struggle  is  for  life  !  " 

The  place  of  the  interview  between  Miss  Temple  and 
the  Indian  has  already  been  described  as  one  of  those 
platforms  of  rock,  which  form  a  sort  of  terrace  in  the 
mountains  of  that  country,  and  the  face  of  it,  we  have  said, 
was  both  high  and  perpendicular.  Its  shape  was  nearly  a 
natural  arc,  the  ends  of  which  blended  with  the  mountain, 
at  points  where  its  sides  were  less  abrupt  in  their  descent. 
It  was  round  one  of  these  terminations  of  the  sweeD  of  the 


THE  PIONEERS. 


377 


rock  that  Edwards  had  ascended,  and  it  was  toward  the 
same  place  that  he  urged  Elizabeth  to  a  desperate  exertion 
of  speed. 

Immense  clouds  of  white  smoke  had  been  pouring  over 
the  summit  of  the  mountain,  and  had  concealed  the  ap- 
proach and  ravages  of  the  element  ;  but  a  crackling  sound 
drew  the  eyes  of  Miss  Temple,  as  she  Hew  over  the  ground 
supported  by  the  young  man,  toward  the  outline  of  smoke 
where  she  already  perceived  the  waving  flames  shooting 
forward  from  the  vapor,  now  flaring  high  in  the  air,  and 
then  bending  to  the  earth,  seeming  to  light  into  combus- 
tion every  stick  and  shrub  on  which  they  breathed.  The 
sight  aroused  them  to  redoubled  efforts  ;  but,  unfortunate- 
ly, a  collection  of  the  tops  of  trees,  old  and  dried,  lay  di- 
rectly across  their  course  ;  and  at  the  very  moment  when 
both  had  thought  their  safety  insured,  the  warm  current 
of  the  air  swept  a  forked  tongue  of  flame  across  the  pile, 
which  lighted  at  the  touch  ;  and  when  they  reached  the 
spot,  the  flying  pair  were  opposed  by  the  surly  roaring  of 
a  body  of  fire,  as  if  a  furnace  were  glowing  in  their  path. 
They  recoiled  from  the  heat,  and  stood  on  a  point  of  the 
rock,  gazing  in  a  stupor  at  the  flames  which  were  spread- 
ing rapidly  down  the  mountain,  whose  side,  too,  became  a 
sheet  of  living  fire.  It  was  dangerous  for  one  clad  in  the 
light  and  airy  dress  of  Elizabeth  to  approach  even  the 
vicinity  of  the  raging  element  ;  and  those  flowing  robes, 
that  gave  such  softness  and  grace  to  her  form,  seemed  now 
to  be  formed  for  the  instruments  of  her  destruction. 

The  villagers  were  accustomed  to  resort  to  that  hill,  in 
quest  of  timber  and  fuel  ;  in  procuring  which,  it  was  their 
usage  to  take  only  the  bodies  of  the  trees,  leaving  the  tops 
and  branches  to  decay  under  the  operations  of  the  weather. 
Much  of  the  hill  was,  consequently,  covered  with  such 
light  fuel,  which,  having  been  scorched  under  the  sun  for 
the  last  two  months,  was  ignited  with  a  touch.  Indeed,  in 
some  cases,  there  did  not  appear  to  be  any  contact  between 
the  fire  and  these  piles,  but  the  flames  seemed  to  dart  from 
heap  to  heap,  as  the  fabulous  fire  of  the  temple  is  repre- 
sented to  reillumine  its  neglected  lamp. 

There  was  beauty  as  well  as  terror  in  the  sight,  and 
Edwards  and  Elizabeth  stood  viewing  the  progress  of  the 
desolation,  with  a  strange  mixture  of  horror  and  interest. 
The  former,  however,  shortly  roused  himself  to  new  exer- 
tions, and,  drawing  his  companion  after  him,  they  skirted 


378  THE  PIONEERS. 

the  edge  of  the  smoke,  the  young  man  penetrating  fre- 
quently into  its  dense  volumes  in  search  of  a  passage,  but 
in  every  instance  without  success.  In  this  manner  they 
proceeded  in  a  semicircle  around  the  upper  part  of  the 
terrace,  until  arriving  at  the  verge  of  the  precipice  oppo- 
site to  the  point  where  Edwards  had  ascended,  the  horrid 
conviction  burst  on  both,  at  the  same  instant,  that  they 
were  completely  encircled  by  fire.  So  long  as  a  single 
pass  up  or  down  the  mountain  was  unexplored,  there  was 
hope  ;  but  when  retreat  seemed  to  be  absolutely  impracti- 
cable, the  horror  of  their  situation  broke  upon  Elizabeth 
as  powerfully  as  if  she  had  hitherto  considered  the  danger 
light. 

"  This  mountain  is  doomed  to  be  fatal  to  me  ! "  she 
whispered  ;  "  we  shall  find  our  graves  on  it  !  " 

"  Say  not  so,  Miss  Temple  ;  there  is  yet  hope,"  returned 
the  youth,  in  the  same  tone,  while  the  vacant  expression 
of  his  eye  contradicted  his  words;  "let  us  return  to  the 
point  of  the  rock — there  is — there  must  be — some  place 
about  it  where  we  can  descend." 

"Lead  me  there,"  exclaimed  Elizabeth;  "let  us  lea^e 
no  effort  untried."  She  did  not  wait  for  his  compliance, 
but  turning,  retraced  her  steps  to  the  brow  of  the  precipice, 
murmuring  to  herself,  in  suppressed,  hysterical  sobs, 
"  My  father  !  my  poor,  my  distracted  father  !  " 

Edwards  was  by  her  side  in  an  instant,  and  with  aching 
eyes  he  examined  every  fissure  in  the  crags  in  quest  of 
some  opening  that  might  offer  facilities  for  flight.  But 
the  smooth,  even  surface  of  the  rocks  afforded  hardly  a 
resting-place  for  a  foot,  much  less  those  continued  pro- 
jections which  would  have  been  necessary  for  a  descent  of 
nearly  a  hundred  feet.  Edwards  was  not  slow  in  feeling 
the  conviction  that  this  hope  was  also  futile,  and,  with  a 
kind  of  feverish  despair  that  still  urged  him  to  action,  he 
turned  to  some  new  expedient. 

"There  is  nothing  left,  Miss  Temple,"  he  said,  "but  to 
lower  you  from  this  place  to  the  rock  beneath.  If  Natty 
were  here,  or  even  that  Indian  could  be  roused,  their  in- 
genuity  and  long  practice  would  easily  devise  methods  to 
do  it  ;  but  I  am  a  child  at  this  moment  in  everything  but 
daring.  Where  shall  I  find  means  ?  This  dress  of  mine 
is  so  light,  and  there  is  so  little  of  it — then  the  blanket  of 
Mohegan  ;  we  must  try — we  must  try — anything  is  bette;' 
than  to  sec  you  a  victim  to  such  a  death !  * 


THE  PIONEERS.  379 

'•'And  what  will  become  of  you  ?  "  said  Elizabeth.  "  In- 
deed, indeed,  neither  you  nor  John  must  be  sacrificed  to 
my  safety." 

He  heard  her  not,  for  he  was  already  by  the  side  of 
Mohegan,  who  yielded  his  blanket  without  a  question,  re- 
taining his  seat  with  Indian  dignity  and  composure,  though 
his  own  situation  was  even  more  critical  than  that  of  the 
others.  The  blanket  was  cut  into  shreds,  and  the  fragments 
fastened  together  ;  the  loose  linen  jacket  of  the  youth  and 
the  light  muslin  shawl  of  Elizabeth  were  attached  to  them, 
and  the  whole  thrown  over  the  rocks  with  the  rapidity  of 
lightning  ;  but  the  united  pieces  did  not  reach  half-way 
to  the  bottom. 

"  It  will  not  do — it  will  not  do  !"  cried  Elizabeth  ;  "for 
me  there  is  no  hope  !  The  fire  comes  slowly,  but  certainly. 
See,  it  destroys  the  very  earth  before  it  ! "  " 

Had  the  flames  spread  on  that  rock  with  half  the  quick- 
ness with  which  they  leaped  from  bush  to  tree  in  other 
parts  of  the  mountain,  our  painful  task  would  have  soon 
ended  ;  for  they  would  have  consumed  already  the  captives 
they  inclosed.  But  the  peculiarity  of  their  situation  af- 
forded Elizabeth  and  her  companion  the  respite  of  which 
they  had  availed  themselves  to  make  the  efforts  we  have 
recorded. 

The  thin  covering  of  earth  on  the  rock  supported  but  a 
scanty  and  faded  herbage,  and  most  of  the  trees  that  had 
found  root  in  the  fissures  had  already  died,  during  the 
intense  heats  of  preceding  summers.  Those  which  still 
retained  the  appearance  of  life  bore  a  few  dry  and  with- 
ered leaves,  while  the  others  were  merely  the  wrecks  of 
pines,  oaks,  and  maples.  No  better  materials  to  feed  the 
fire  could  be  found,  had  there  been  a  communication  with 
the  flames  ;  but  the  ground  was  destitute  of  the  brush  that 
led  the  destructive  element,  like  a  torrent,  over  the  remain- 
der of  the  hill.  As  auxiliary  to  this  scarcity  of  fuel,  one 
of  the  large  springs  which  abound  in  that  country  gushed 
out  of  the  side  of  the  ascent  above,  and,  after  creeping 
sluggishly  along  the  level  land,  saturating  the  mossy  cov- 
ering of  the  rock  with  moisture,  it  swept  around  the  base 
of  the  little  cone  that  formed  the  pinnacle  of  the  mountain, 
and,  entering  the  canopy  of  smoke  near  one  of  the  termina- 
tions of  the  terrace,  found  its  way  to  the  lake,  not  by  dash- 
ing from  rock  to  rock,  but  by  the  secret  channels  of  the 
earth.  It  would  rise  to  the  surface,  here  and  there,  *n  the 


380  THE  PIONEERS. 

wet  seasons,  but  in  the  droughts  of  summer  it  was  to  be 
traced  only  by  the  bogs  and  moss  that  announced  the 
proximity  of  water.  When  the  fire  reached  this  barrier, 
it  was  compelled  to  pause,  until  a  concentration  of  its 
heat  could  overcome  the  moisture,  like  an  army  awaiting 
the  operations  of  a  battering  train,  to  open  its  way  to 
desolation. 

That  fatal  moment  seemed  now  to  have  arrived,  for  the 
Mssing  steams  of  the  spring  appeared  to  be  nearly  exhausted, 
and  the  moss  of  the  rocks  was  already  curling  under  the 
intense  heat,  while  fragments  of  bark,  that  yet  clung  to  the 
dead  trees,  began  to  separate  from  their  trunks,  and  fall  to 
the  ground  in  crumbling  masses.  The  air  seemed  quiver- 
ing with  rays  of  heat,  which  might  be  seen  playing  along 
the  parched  stems  of  the  trees.  There  were  moments  when 
dark  clouds  of  smoke  would  sweep  along  the  little  terrace  ; 
and,  as  the  eye  lost  its  power,  the  other  senses  contributed 
to  give  effect  to  the  fearful  horror  of  the  scene.  At  such 
moments,  the  roaring  of  the  flames,  the  crackling  of  the 
furious  element,  with  the  tearing  of  falling  branches,  and 
occasionally  the  thundering  echoes  of  some  falling  tree, 
united  to  alarm  the  victims.  Of  the  three,  however,  the 
youth  appeared  much  thermost  agitated.  Elizabeth  having 
relinquished  entirely  the  idea  of  escape,  was  fast  obtaining 
that  resigned  composure  with  which  the  most  delicate  of 
her  sex  are  sometimes  known  to  meet  unavoidable  evils  ; 
while  Mohegan,  who  was  much  nearer  to  the  danger,  main- 
tained his  seat  with  the  invincible  resignation  of  an  Indian 
warrior.  Once  or  twice  the  eye  of  the  aged  chief,  which 
was  ordinarily  fixed  in  the  direction  of  the  distant  hills, 
turned  toward  the  young  pair,  who  seemed  doomed  to  so 
early  a  death,  with  a  slight  indication  of  pity  crossing  his 
composed  features,  but  it  would  immediately  revert  again 
to  its  former  gaze,  as  if  already  looking  into  the  womb  of 
futurity.  Much  of  the  time  he  was  chanting  a  kind  of  low 
dirg^  in  the  Delaware  tongue,  using  the  deep  and  remark- 
able guttural  tones  of  his  people. 

"At  such  a  moment,  Mr.  Edwards,  all  earthly  distinc- 
tions end,"  whispered  Elizabeth  ;  "  persuade  John  to  move 
nearer  to  us — let  us  die  together." 

"  I  cannot — he  will  not  stir,"  returned  the  youth,  in  the 
same  horridly  still  tones.  "  He  considers  this  as  the 
happiest  moment  of  his  life.  He  is  past  seventy,  and  has 
been  decaying  rapidly  for  some  time  ;  he  received  some 


THE  PIONEERS.  381 

injury  in  chasing  that  unlucky  deer,  too,  on  the  lake.  Oh  ! 
Miss  Temple,  that  was  an  unlucky  chase,  indeed  !  it  has 
led,  I  fear,  to  this  awful  scene." 

The  smile  of  Elizabeth  was  celestial.  "  Why  name  such 
a  trifle  now  ? — at  this  moment  the  heart  is  dead  to  all  earth- 
ly emotions  !  " 

"  If  anything  could  reconcile  a  man  to  this  death,"  cried 
the  youth,  "  it  would  be  to  meet  it  in  such  company  !" 

"  Talk  not  so,  Edwards  ;  talk  not  so,"  interrupted  Miss 
Temple.  "  I  am  unworthy  of  it,  and  it  is  unjust  to  your- 
self. We  must  die  ;  yes — yes — we  must  die — it  is  the  will  of 
God,  and  let  us  endeavor  to  submit  like  his  own  children." 

"  Die  !  "  the  youth  rather  shrieked  than  exclaimed,  "no — 
no — no — there  must  yet  be  hope — you,  at  least,  must  not, 
shall  not  die." 

"  In  what  way  can  we  escape  ?  "  asked  Elizabeth,  pointing 
with  a  look  of  heavenly  composure  toward  the  fire.  "  Ob- 
serve !  the  flame  is  crossing  the  barrier  of  wet  ground — it 
comes  slowly,  Edwards,  but  surely.  Ah !  see  !  the  tree  ! 
the  tree  is  already  lighted  !  " 

Her  words  were  too  true.  The  heat  of  the  conflagration 
had  at  length  overcome  the  resistance  of  the  spring,  and 
the  fire  was  slowly  stealing  along  the  half-dried  moss  ; 
while  a  dead  pine  kindled  with  the  touch  of  a  forked  flame, 
that,  for  a  moment,  wreathed  around  the  stem  of  the  tree, 
as  it  whirled,  in  one  of  its  evolutions,  under  the  influence 
of  the  air.  The  effect  was  instantaneous.  The  flames 
danced  along  the  parched  trunk  of  the  pine  like  lightning 
quivering  on  a  chain,  and  immediately  a  column  of  living 
fire  was  raging  on  the  terrace.  It  soon  spread  from  tree 
to  tree,  and  the  scene  was  evidently  drawing  to  a  close. 
The  log  on  which  Mohegan  was  seated  lighted  at  its  fur- 
ther end,  and  the  Indian  appeared  to  be  surrounded  by 
lire.  Still  he  was  unmoved.  As  his  body  was  unprotected, 
his  sufferings  must  have  been  great  ;  but  his  fortitude  was 
superior  to  all.  His  voice  could  yet  be  heard  even  in  the 
midst  of  these  horrors.  Elizabeth  turned  her  head  from 
the  sight,  and  faced  the  valley.  Furious  eddies  of  wind 
were  created  by  the  heat,  and,  just  at  the  moment,  the  can- 
opy  of  fiery  smoke  that  overhung  the  valley  was  cleared 
away,  leaving  a  distinct  view  of  the  peaceful  village  be- 
neath them. 

"  My  father  !— my  father  !  "  shrieked  Elizabeth.  "  Oh  J 
this — surely  might  have  been  spared  me — but  I  submit" 


382  THE  PIONEERS. 

The  distance  was  not  so  great  but  the  figure  of  Judge 
Temple  could  be  seen,  standing  in  his  own  grounds,  and 
apparently  contemplating,  in  perfect  unconsciousness  of 
the  danger  of  his  child,  the  mountain  in  flames.  This  sight 
was  still  more  painful  than  the  approaching  danger;  and 
Elizabeth  again  faced  the  hill. 

"  My  intemperate  warmth  has  done  this  !  "  cried  Ed- 
wards, in  the  accents  of  despair.  "  If  I  had  possessed  but 
a  moiety  of  your  heavenly  resignation,  Miss  Temple,  all 
might  yet  have  been  well." 

"  Name  it  not — name  it  not,"  she  said.  "  It  is  now  of  no 
avail.  We  must  die,  Edwards,  we  must  die — let  us  do  so 
as.  Christians.  But — no — you  may  yet  escape,  perhaps. 
Your  dress  is  not  so  fatal  as  mine.  Fly  !  Leave  me.  An 
opening  may  yet  be  found  for -you,  possibly — certainly  it 
is  worth  the  effort.  Fly  !  leave  me — but  stay  !  You  will 
see  my  father !  my  poor,  my  bereaved  father  !  Say  to  him, 
then,  Edwards,  say  to  him,  all  that  can  appease  hisanguish. 
Tell  him  that  I  died  happy  and  collected  ;  that  I  have  gone 
to  my  beloved  mother  ;  that  the  hours  of  this  life  are 
nothing  when  balanced  in  the  scales  of  eternity.  Say  how 
we  shall  meet  again.  And  say,"  she  continued,  dropping 
her  voice,  that  had  risen  with  her  feelings,  as  if  conscious 
of  her  worldly  weakness,  "  how  dear,  how  very  dear,  was  my 
love  for  him  ;  that  it  was  near,  too  near,  to  my  love  for 
God." 

The  youth  listened  to  her  touching  accents,  but  moved 
not.  In  a  moment  he  found  utterance,  and  replied  : 

"  And  is  it  me  that  you  command  to  leave  you  !  to  leave 
you  on  the  edge  of  the  grave?  Oh!  Miss  Temple,  how 
little  have  you  known  me  ! "  he  cried,  dropping  on  his 
knees  at  her  feet,  and  gathering  her  flowing  robe  in  his 
arms  as  if  to  shield  her  from  the  flames.  "  I  have  been 
driven  to  the  woods  in  despair,  but  your  society  has  tamed 
the  lion  within  me.  If  I  have  wasted  my  time  in  degrada- 
tion, 'twas  you  that  charmed  me  to  it.  If  I  have  forgotten 
my  name  and  family,  your  form  supplied  the  place  of 
memory.  If  I  have  forgotten  my  wrongs,  'twas  you  that 
taught  me  charity.  No — no— dearest  Elizabeth,  I  may  die 
with  you,  but  I  can  never  leave  you  ! " 

Elizabeth  moved  not,  nor  answered.  It  was  plain  that 
her  thoughts  had  been  raised  from  the  earth.  The  recol- 
lection of  her  father,  and  her  regrets  at  their  separatiqn, 
had  been  mellowed  by  a  holy  sentiment,  that  lifted  her 


THE  PIONEERS.  383 

above  the  level  of  earthly  things,  and  she  was  fast  losing 
the  weakness  of  her  sex  in  the  near  view  of  eternity.  But 
as  she  listened  to  these  words  she  became  once  moie 
woman.  She  struggled  against  these  feelings,  and  smiled, 
as  she  thought  she  was  shaking  off  the  last  lingering  feel- 
ing of  nature,  when  the  world,  and  all  its  seductions, 
rushed  again  to  her  heart,  with  the  sounds  of  a  human 
voice,  crying  in  piercing  tones  : 

"  Gal  !  where  be  ye,  gal  !  gladden  the  heart  of  an  old 
man,  if  ye  yet  belong  to  'arth  !  " 

"  List !  ""said  Elizabeth  ;  "  'tis  the  Leather-Stocking  ;  he 
seeks  me !  " 

"  'Tis  Natty!"  shouted  Edwards,  "and  we  may  yet  be 
saved  !" 

A  wide  and  circling  flame  glared  on  their  eyes  for  a  mo- 
ment, even  above  the  fire  of  the  woods,  and  a  loud  report 
followed. 

"  'Tis  the  canister  !  'tis  the  powder,"  cried  the  same  voice, 
evidently  approaching  them.  "  'Tis  the  canister,  and  the 
precious  child  is  lost !  " 

At  the  next  instant  Natty  rushed  through  the  steams  of 
the  spring,  and  appeared  on  the  terrace,  without  his  deer- 
skin cap,  his  hair  burnt  to  his  head,  his  shirt,  of  country 
check,  black  and  filled  with  holes,  and  his  red  features  of 
a  deeper  color  than  ever,  by  the  heat  he  had  encountered. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

' '  Even  from  the  land  of  shadows,  now 
My  father's  awful  ghost  appears." 

— GERTRUDE  OF  WYOMING. 

FOR  an  hour  after  Louisa  Grant  was  left  by  Miss  Tem- 
ple, in  the  situation  already  mentioned,  she  continued  in 
feverish  anxiety,  awaiting  the  return  of  her  friend.  But, 
as  the  time  passed  by  without  the  reappearance  of  Eliza- 
beth, the  terror  of  Louisa  gradually  increased,  until  her 
alarmed  fancy  had  conjured  every  species  of  danger  that 
appertained  to  the  woods,  excepting  the  one  that  really 
existed.  The  heavens*  had  become  obscured  by  degrees, 
and  vast  volumes  of  smoke  were  pouring  over  the  valley ; 
but  the  thoughts  of  Louisa  were  still  recurring  to  beasts, 
without  dreaming  of  the  real  cause  for  apprehension. 


384  THE  PIONEERS. 

She  was  stationed  in  the  edge  of  the  low  pines  and  chest- 
nuts  that  succeed  the  first  or  large  growth  of  the  forest, 
and  directly  above  the  angle  where  the  highway  turned 
from  the  straight  course  to  the  village,  and  ascended  the 
mountain,  laterally.  Consequently,  she  commanded  a 
view,  not  only  of  the  valley,  but  of  the  road  beneath  her. 
The  few  travellers  that  passed,  she  observed,  were  engaged 
in  earnest  conversation,  and  frequently  raised  their  eyes  to 
the  hill,  and  at  length  she  saw  the  people  leaving  the 
court-house,  and  gazing  upward  also.  While  under  the 
influence  of  the  alarm  excited  by  such  unusual  movements, 
reluctant  to  go,  and  yet  fearful  to  remain,  Louisa  was 
startled  by  the  low,  cracking,  but  cautious  treads  of  some 
one  approaching  through  the  bushes.  She  was  on  the  eve 
of  flight,  when  Natty  emerged  from  the  cover,  and  stood  at 
her  side.  The  old  man  laughed  as  he  shook  her  kindly 
by  a  hand  that  was  passive  with  fear. 

"  I  am  glad  to  meet  you  here,  child,"  he  said  ;  "  for  the 
back  of  the  mountain  is  a-fire,  and  it  would  .be  dangerous 
to  go  up  it  now,  till  it  has  been  burnt  over  once,  and  the 
dead  wood  is  gone.  There's  a  foolish  man,  the  comrade 
of  t<hat  varmint  who  has  given  me  all  this  trouble,  digging 
for  ore  on  the  east  side.  I  told  him  that  the  kearless  fel 
lows,  who  thought  to  catch  a  practys'd  hunter  in  the  woods 
after  dark,  had  thrown  the  lighted  pine-knots  in  the  brush, 
and  that  'twould  kindle  like  tow,  and  warned  him  to  leave 
the  hill.  But  he  was  set  upon  his  business,  and  nothing 
short  of  Providence  could  move  him.  If  he  isn't  burnt  and 
buried  in  a  grave  of  his  own  digging,  he's  made  of  sala- 
manders. Why,  what  ails  the  child  !  you  look  as  skeary 
as  if  you'd  see'd  more  painters  !  I  wish  there  were  more 
to  be  found  !  they'd  count  up  faster  than  the  beaver.  But 
where's  the  good  child  with  a  bad  father  ?  did  she  forget 
her  promise  to  the  old  man  ?" 

"  The  hill !  the  hill !  "  shrieked  Louisa  ;  "  she  seeks  you 
on  the  hill  with  the  powder  !  " 

Natty  recoiled  several  feet  at  this  unexpected  intelli- 
gence. 

"  The  Lord  of  Heaven  have  mercy  on  her !  She's  on 
the  Vision,  and  that's  a  sheet  of  fire  ag'in  this.  Child,  if 
ye  love  the  dear  one,  and  hope  to  find  a  friend  when  ye 
need  it  most,  to  the  village,  and  give  the  alarm.  The  men 
are  used  to  fighting  fire,  and  there  may  be  a  chance  left 
Fly  !  1  bid  ye  fly  !  nor  stop  even  for  breath." 


THE  PIONEERS.  385 

The  Leather-Stocking  had  no  sooner  uttered  this  injunc- 
tion, than  he  disappeared  in  the  bushes,  and,  when  last 
seen  by  Louisa,  was  rushing  up  the  mountain,  with  a  speed 
that  none  but  those  who  were  accustomed  to  the  toil  could 
attain. 

"Have  I  found  ye  !"  the  old  man  exclaimed,  when  he 
burst  out  of  the  smoke  ;  "  God  be  praised  that  I  have 
found  ye  ;  but  follow— there's  no  time  for  talking." 

"My  dress!"  said  Elizabeth;  "it  would  be  fatal  to 
trust  myself  nearer  to  the  flames  in  it." 

"  I  bethought  me  of  your  flimsy  things,"  cried  Natty, 
throwing  loose  the  folds  of  a  covering  buckskin  that  he 
carried  on  his  arm,  and  wrapping  her  form  in  it,  in  such 
a  manner  as  to  envelop  her  whole  person;  "now  follow, 
for  it's  a  matter  of  life  and  death  to  us  all." 

"But  John!  what  will  become  of  John  ?"  cried  Edwards : 
"  can  we  leave  the  old  warrior  here  to  perish  ?  " 

The  eyes  of  Natty  followed  the  direction  of  Edwards's  fin- 
ger, where  he  beheld  the  Indian  still  seated  as  before,  with 
the  very  earth  under  his  feet  consuming  with  fire.  With- 
out delay  the  hunter  approached  the  spot,  and  spoke  in 
Delaware  : 

*  Up  and  away,  Chingachgook  !  will  ye  stay  here  to  burn, 
likd  a  Mingo  at  the  stake  ?  The  Moravians  have  teached 
ye  better,  I  hope  ;  the  Lord  preserve  me  if  the  powder 
hasn't  flashed  atween  his  legs,  and  the  skin  of  his  back  is 
roasting.  Will  ye  come,  I  say  ;  will  ye  follow  me  ?  " 

"Why  should  Mohegan  go?"  returned  the  Indian, 
gloomily.  "  He  has  seen  the  days  of  "an  eagle,  and  his  eye 
grows  dim.  He  looks  on  the  valley ;  he  looks  on  the 
water  ;  he  looks  in  the  hunting-grounds — but  he  sees  no 
Delawares.  Every  one  has  a  white  skin.  My  fathers  say, 
from  the  far-off  land,  Come.  My  women,  my  young  war- 
riors, my  tribe,  say,  Come.  The  Great  Spirit  says;  Come. 
Let  Mohegan  die." 

"  But  you  forget  your  "friend,"  cried  Edwards. 

"'Tis  useless  to  talk  to  an  Indian  with  the  death-fit  on 
him,  lad,"  interrupted  Natty,  who  seized  the  strips  of  the 
blanket,  and  with  wonderful  dexterity  strapped  the  passive 
chieftain  to  his  own  back  ;  when  he  turned,  and  with  a 
strength  that  seemed  to  bid  defiance,  not  only  to  his  years, 
but  to  his  load,  he  led  the  way  to  the  point  whence  he  had 
issued.  As  they  crossed  the  little  terrace  of  rock,  one  of 
the  dead  trees,  that  had  been  tottering  for  several  minutes, 

25 


• 


386  THE  PIONEERS. 

fell  on  the  spot  where  they  had  stood,  and  filled  the  air 
with  its  cinders. 

Such  an  event  quickened  the  steps  of  the  party,  who  fol- 
lowed the  Leather-Stocking  with  the  urgency  required  by 
the  occasion. 

"Tread  on  the  soft  ground,"  he  cried,  when  they  were 
in  a  gloom  where  sight  availed  them  but  little,  "and 
keep  in  the  white  smoke  ;  keep  the  skin  close  on  her, 
lad  ;  she's  a  precious  one— another  will  be  hard  to  be 
found." 

Obedient  to  the  hunter's  directions,  they  followed  his 
steps  and  advice  implicitly  ;  and,  although  the  narrow  pas- 
sage along  the  winding  of  the  spring  led  amid  burning 
logs  and  falling  branches,  they  happily  achieved  it  in 
safety.  No  one  but  a  man  long  accustomed  to  the  woods 
could  have  traced  his  route  through  the  smoke,  in  which 
respiration  was  difficult,  and  sight  nearly  useless  ;  but  the 
experience  of  Natty  conducted  them  to  an  opening  through 
the  rocks,  where,  with  a  little  difficulty,  they  soon  de- 
scended to  another  terrace,  and  emerged  at  once  into  a 
tolerably  clear  atmosphere. 

The  feelings  of  Edwards  and  Elizabeth  at  reaching  this 
spot  may  be  imagined,  though  not  easily  described.'  No 
one  seemed  to  exult  more  than  their  guide,  who  turned, 
with  Mohegan  still  lashed  to  his  back,  and,  laughing  in  his 
own  manner,  said  : 

"I  know'd 'twas  the  Frenchman's  powder,  gal  ;  it  went 
so  all  together  ;  your  coarse  grain  will  squib  for  a  minute. 
The  Iroquois  had  none  of  the  best  powder  when  I  went 
ag'in  the  Canada  tribes,  under  Sir  William.  Did  I  ever  tell 
you  the  story,  lad,  consarning  the  scrimmage  with ' 

"For  God's  sake,  tell  me  nothing  now,  Natty,  until  we 
are  entirely  safe.  Where  shall  we  go  next  ? " 

"Why,  on  the  platform  of  rock  over  the  cave,  to  be  sure  ; 
you  will  be  safe  enough  there,  or  we'll  go  into  it,  if  you  be 
so  minded." 

The  young  man  started,  and  appeared  agitated  :  but, 
looking  around  him  with  an  anxious  eye,  said  quickly  : 

"  Shall  we  be  safe  on  the  rock  ?  cannot  the  fire  reach  us 
there,  too  ?" 

"Can't  the  boy  see?  "said  Natty,  with  the  coolness  of 
one  accustomed  to  the  kind  of  danger  he  had  just  encoun- 
tered. "Had  ye  stayed  in  the  place  above  ten  minutes 
longer,  you  would  both  have  been  in  ashes,  but  here  you 


THE  PIONEERS.  387 

may  stay  forever,  and  no  fire  can  touch  you,  until  they  burn 
the*  rocks  as  well  as  the  woods." 

With  this  assurance,  which  was  obviously  true,  they  pro- 
ceeded to  the  spot,  and  Natty  deposited  his  load,  placing 
the  Indian  on  the  ground  with  his  back  against  a  fragment 
of  the  rocks.  Elizabeth  sank  on  the  ground,  and  buried 
her  face  in  her  hands,  while  her  heart  was  swelling  with  a 
variety  of  conflicting  emotions. 

"Let  me  urge  you  to  take  a  restorative,  Miss  Tem- 
ple," said  Edwards,  respectfully;  "your  frame  will  sink 
else." 

"  Leave  me,  leave  me,"  she  said,  raising  her  beaming  eyes 
for  a  moment  to  his  ;  "  I  feel  too  much  for  words  !  I  am 
grateful,  Oliver,  for  this  miraculous  escape  ;  and  next  to 
my  God  to  you." 

Edwards  withdrew  to  the  edge  of  the  rock,  and  shouted 
— "Benjamin!  where  are  you,  Benjamin?" 

A  hoarse  voice  replied,  as  if  from  the  bowels  of  the 
earth,  "  Hereaway,  master  ;  stowed  in  this  here  bit  of  a 
hole,  which  is  all  the  time  as  hot  as  the  cook's  coppers. 
I'm  tired  of  my  berth,  d'ye  see,  and  if-so-be  that  Leather- 
Stocking  has  got  much  over-hauling  to  do  before  he  sails 
after  them  said  beaver,  I'll  go  into  dock  again,  and  ride 
out  my  quarantine,  till  I  can  get  prottick  from  the  law, 
and  so  hold  on  upon  the  rest  of  my  'spaniolas." 

"  Bring  up  a  glass  of  water  from  the  spring,"  continued 
Edwards,  "and  throw  a  little  wine  in  it  ;  hasten,  I  entreat 
you  !  " 

"  I  knows  but  little  of  your  small  drink,  Master  Oliver," 
returned  the  steward,  his  voice  issuing  out  of  the  cave 
into  the  open  air,  "and  the  Jamaikey  held  out  no  longer 
than  to  take  a  parting  kiss  with  Billy  Kirby,  when  he  an- 
chored me  alongside  the  highway  last  night,  \vhere  you 
run  me  down  in  the  chase.  But  here's  sum'mat  of  a  red 
color  that  may  suit  a  weak  stomach,  mayhap.  That  Mas- 
ter Kirby  is  no  first-rate  in  a  boat  ;  but  he'll  tack  a  cart 
among  the  stumps,  all  the  same  as  a  Lon'on  pilot  will  back 
and  fill  through  the  colliers  in  the  Pool." 

As  the  steward  ascended  while  talking,  by  the  time  he 
had  ended  his  speech  he  appeared  on  the  rock  with  the 
desired  restoratives,  exhibiting  the  wrorn-out  and  bloated 
features  of  a  man  who  had  run  deep  in  a  debauch,  and 
that  lately. 

Elizabeth  took  from  the  hands  of  Edwards   the   liqtioi 


388  THE  PIONEERS. 

which  he  offered,  and  then  motioned  to  be  left  again  ta 
herself. 

The  youth  turned  at  her  bidding,  and  observed  Natt;- 
kindly  assiduous  around  the  person  of  Mohegan.  When 
their  eyes  met,  the  hunter  said  sorrowfully  : 

"  His  time  has  come,  lad  ;  I  see  it  in  his  eyes — when  an 
Indian  fixes  his  eye,  he  means  to  go  but  to  one  place  ;  and 
what  the  wilful  creatures  put  their  minds  on,  they're  sure 
to  do." 

A  quick  tread  prevented  the  reply,  and  in  a  few  mo- 
ments, to  the  amazement  of  the  whole  party,  Mr.  Grant 
was  seen  clinging  to  the  side  of  the  mountain,  and  striving 
to  reach  the  place  where  they  stood.  Oliver  sprang  to  his 
assistance,  and  by  their  united  efforts  the  worthy  divine 
was  soon  placed  safely  among  them. 

"How  came  you  added  to  our  number?"  cried  Ed- 
wards. "Is  the  hill  alive  with  people  at  a  time  like  this?" 

The  hasty  but  pious  thanksgivings  of  the  clergyman 
were  soon  ejaculated,  and.  wThen  he  succeeded  in  collect- 
ing his  bewildered  senses,  he  replied  : 

"I  heard  that  my  child  was  seen  coming  to  the  moun' 
tain  ;  and,  when  the  fire  broke  over  its  summit,  my  uneasi- 
ness drew  me  up  the  road,  where  I  found  Louisa,  in  ter- 
ror for  Miss  Temple.  It  was  to  seek  her  that  I  came  into 
this  dangerous  place';  and  I  think,  but  for  God's  mercy, 
through  the  dogs  of  Natty,  I  should  have  perished  in  the 
flames  myself." 

"Ay!  follow  the  hounds,  and  if  there's  an  opening 
they'll  scent  it  out,"  said  Natty;  "their  noses  be  given 
them  the  same  as  man's  reason." 

11 1  did  so,  ancl  they  led  me  to  this  place  ;  but,  praise  be 
to  God,  that  I  see  you  all  safe  and  well." 

"No,  no,"  returned  the  hunter  ;  "safe  we  be,  but  as  for 
well,  John  can't  be  called  in  a  good  way,  unless  you'll  say 
that  for  a  man  that's  taking  his  last  look  at  'arth." 

"  He  speaks  the  truth  ! "  said  the  divine,  with  the  holy 
awe  with  which  he  ever  approached  the  dying ;  "  I  have 
been  by  too  many  death-beds,  not  to  see  that  the  hand  of 
the  tyrant  is  laid  on  this  old  warrior.  Oh  !  how  consoling 
it  is  to  know  that  he  has  not  rejected  the  offered  mercy  in 
the  hour  of  his  strength  and  of  worldly  temptations  !  The 
offspring  of  a  race  of  heathens,  he  has  in  truth  been  '  as  a 
brand  plucked  from  the  burning.'  " 

"No,  no,"  returned  Natty,  who  alone  stood  with  him  bj 


THE  PIONEERS.  38^ 

the  side  of  the  dying  warrior  ;  "  it  is  no  burning  that  ails 
him,  though  his  Indian  feelings  made  him  scorn  to  move, 
unless  it  be  the  burning  of  man's  wicked  thoughts  for  near 
fourscore  years  ;  but  it's  nater  giving  out  in  a  chase  that's 
run  too  long. — Down  with  ye,  Hector !  down,  I  say  ! 
Flesh  isn't  iron,  that  a  man  can  live  forever,  and  see  his 
kith  and  kin.  driven  to  a  far  country,  and  he  left  to  mourn, 
with  none  to  keep  him  company." 

"  John,"  said  the  divine,  tenderly,  "  do  you  hear  me  ?  do 
you  wish  the  prayers  appointed  by  the  church,  at  this 
trying  moment  ? " 

The  Indian  turned  his  ghastly  face  toward  the  speaker, 
and  fastened  his  dark  eyes  on  him,  steadily,  but  vacantly. 
No  sign  of  recognition  wras  made  ;  and  in  a  moment  he 
moved  his  head  again  slowly  toward  the  vale,  and  began 
to  sing,  using  his  own  language,  in  those  low,  guttural 
tones,  that  have  been  so  often  mentioned,  his  notes  rising 
with  his  theme,  till  they  swelled  so  loud  as  to  be  distinct. 

"  I  will  come !  I  will  come !  to  the  land  of  the  just  I  will 
come  !  The  Maquas  I  have  slain  !  I  have  slain  the  Ma- 
quas  !  and  the  Great  Spirit  calls  to  his  son.  I  will  come  { 
I  will  come  to  the  land  of  the  just  I  will  come  !  " 

"What  says  he,  Leather-Stocking  ?"  inquired  the  priest, 
with  tender  interest ;  "  sings  he  the  Redeemer's  praise  ?  " 

"  No,  no — 'tis  his  own  praise  that  he  speaks  now,"  said 
Natty,  turning  in  a  melancholy  manner  from  the  sight  of 
his  dying  friend  ;  "  and  a  good  right  he  has  to  say  it  all, 
for  I  know  every  word  to  be  true." 

"May  heaven  avert  such  self-righteousness  from  his 
heart !  Humility  and  penitence  are  the  seals  of  Chris- 
tianity ;  and,  without  feeling  them  deeply  seated  in  the 
soul,  all  hope  is  delusive,  and  leads  to  vain  expectations. 
Praise  himself  !  when  his  whole  soul  and  body  should 
unite  to  praise  his  Maker  !  John !  you  have  enjoyed  the 
blessings  of  a  gospel  ministry,  and  have  been  called  from 
out  a  multitude  of  sinners  and  pagans,  and,  I  trust,  for  a 
wise  and  gracious  purpose.  Do  you  now  feel  what  it  is  to 
be  justified  by  our  Saviour's  death,  and  reject  all  weak  and 
idle  dependence  on  good  works,  that  spring  from  man's 
pride  and  vainglory  ?  " 

The  Indian  did  not  regard  his  interrogator,  but  he  raised 
his  head  again,  and  said  in  a  low,  distinct  voice  : 

"Who  can  say  that  the  Maquas  know  the  back  'of  the 
Mohegan  ?  What  enemy  that  trusted  in  him  did  not  see 


290  THE  PIONEERS. 

the  morning?  What  Mingo  that  he  chased  everjsang  the 
song  of  triumph  ?  Did  Mohegan  ever  lie  ?  No  ;  the  truth 
lived  in  him,  and  none  else  could  come  out  of  him.  In  his 
youth  he  was  a  warrior,  and  his  moccasins  left  the  stain  of 
blood.  In  his  age  he  was  wise  ;  his  words  at  the  council 
fire  did  not  blow  away  with  the  winds." 

"  Ah  !  he  has  abandoned  that  vain  relic  of  paganism,  his 
songs,"  cried  the  divine  ;  "what  says  he  now?  is  he  sen- 
sible of  his  lost  state  ? " 

*'  Lord  !  man,"  said  Natty,  "  he  knows  his  end  is  at  hand 
as  well  as  you  or  I  ;  but,  so  far  from  thinking  it  a  loss,  he 
believes  it  to  be  a  great  gain.  He  is  old  and  stiff,  and  you 
have  made  the  game  so  scarce  and  shy,  that  better  shots 
than  him  frnd  it  hard  to  get  a  livelihood.  Now  he  thinks 
he  shall  travel  where  it  will  always  be  good  hunting  ;  where 
no  wicked  or  unjust  Indians  can  go  ;  and  where  he  shall 
meet  all  his  tribe  together  ag'in.  There's  not  much  loss  in 
that,  to  a  man  whose  hands  are  hardly  fit  for  basket-making. 
Loss  !  if  there  be  any  loss,  'twill  be  to  me.  I'm  sure  aftei 
he's  gone,  there  will  be  but  little  left  for  me  but  to  follow." 

"  His  example  and  end,  which,  I  humbly  trust,  shall  yet 
be  made  glorious,"  returned  Mr.  Grant,  "  should  lead  your 
mind  to  dwell  on  the  things  of  another  life.  But  I  feel  it 
to  be  my  duty  to  smooth  the  way  for  the  parting  spirit. 
This  is  the  moment,  John,  when  the  reflection  that  you 
did  not  reject  the  mediation  of  the  Redeemer,  will  bring 
balm  to  your  soul.  Trust  not  to  any  act  of  former  days, 
but  lay  the  burden  of  your  sins  at  his  feet,  and  you  have 
his  own  blessed  assurance  that  he  will  not  desert  you." 

"  Though  all  you  say  be  true,  and  you  have  scripter 
gospels  for  it,  too,"  said  Natty,  "  you  will  make  nothing  of 
the  Indian.  He  hasn't  seen  a  Moravian  priest  sin'  the  war ; 
and  it's  hard  to  keep  them  from  going  back  to  their  native 
ways.  I  should  think  'twould  be  as  well  to  let  the  old  man 
pass  in  peace.  He's  happy  now  ;  I  know  it  by  his  eye  ; 
and  that's  more  than  I  would  say  for  the  chief,  sin'  the 
time  the  Delawares  broke  up  from  the  head-waters  of  their 
river,  and  went  west.  Ah's  me  !  'tis  a  grievous  long  time 
t'hat,  and  many  dark  days  have  we  seen  together  sin'  it." 

"  Hawk-eye  !  "  said  Mohegan,  rousing  with  the  last  glim- 
mering of  life.  "  Hawk-eye  !  listen  to  the  words  of  your 
brother." 

"  Yes,  John,"  said  the  hunter,  in  English,  strongly  ai> 
fccted  by  the  appeal,  and  drawing  to  his  side  ;  "  we  hava 


THE  PIONEERS.  391 

been  brothers  ;  and  more  so  than  it  means  in  the  Indian 
tongue.  What  would  ye  have  with  me,  Chingachgook  ? " 

u  Hawk-eye  !  my  fathers  call  me  to  the  happy  hunting- 
grounds.  The  path  is  clear,  and  the  eyes  of  Mohegan  grow 
young.  I  look — but  I  see  no  white-skins  ;  there  are  none  to 
be  seen  but  just  and  brave  Indians.  Farewell,  Hawk-eye 
— you  shall  go  with  the  Fire-eater  and  the  Young  Eagle  to 
the  white  man's  heaven  ;  but  I  go  after  my  fathers.  Let 
the  bow,  and  tomahawk,  and  pipe,  and  the  wampum  of 
Mohegan  be  laid  in  his  grave  ;  for  when  he  starts  'twill  be 
in  the  night,  like  a  warrior  on  a  war-party,  and  he  cannot 
stop  to  seek  them." 

"  What  says  he,  Nathaniel  ?"  cried  Mr.  Grant,  earnestly, 
and  with  obvious  anxiety  ;  "  does  he  recall  the  promises  of 
the  mediation  ?  and  trust  his  salvation  to  the  Rock  of 
Ages  ? " 

Although  the  faith  of  the  hunter  \vas  by  no  means  clear, 
yet  the  fruits  of  early  instruction  had  not  entirely  fallen  in 
the  wilderness.  He  believed  in  one  God,  and  one  heaven  ; 
and  when  the  strong  feeling  excited  by  the  leave-taking  of 
his  old  companion,  which  was  exhibited  by  the  powerful 
working  of  every  muscle  in  his  weather-beaten  face,  suf- 
fered him  to  speak,  he  replied  : 

"  No — no — he  trusts  only  to  the  Great  Spirit  of  the  sav- 
ages, and  to  his  own  good  deeds.  He  thinks,  like  all  his 
people,  that  he  is  to  be  young  ag'in,  and  to  hunt,  and  be 
happy  to  the  end  of  etarnity.  It's  pretty  much  the  same 
with  all  colors,  parson.  I  could  never  bring  myself  to 
think,  that  I  shall  meet  with  these  hounds,  or  my  piece,  in 
another  world  ;  though  the  thoughts  of  leaving  them  for- 
ever sometimes  brings  hard  feelings  over  me,  and  makes 
me  cling  to  life  with  a  greater  craving  than  beseems  three- 
score-and-ten." 

"  The  Lord  in  his  mercy  avert  such  a  death  from  one 
who  has. been  sealed  with  the  sign  of  the  cross !  "  cried  the 
minister,  in  holy  fervor.  John " 

He  paused  for  the  elements.  During  the  period  occu- 
pied by  the  events  which  we  have  related,  the  dark  clouds 
in  the  horizon  had  continued  to  increase  in  numbers  and 
multitude  ;  and  the  awful  stillness  that  now  pervaded  the 
air,  announced  a  crisis  in  the  state  of  the  atmosphere.  The 
flames,  which  yet  continued  to  rage  along  the  sides  of  the 
mountain,  no  longer  whirled  in  uncertain  currents  of  theif 
own  eddies,  but  blazed  high  and  steadily  toward  the  heavens 


392  THE  PIONEERS. 

There  was  even  a  quietude  in  the  ravages  of  the  destruo 
tive  element,  as  if  it  foresaw  that  a  hand  greater  than  even 
its  own  desolating  power,  was  about  to  stay  its  progress. 
The  piles  of  smoke  which  lay  above  the  valley  began  to 
rise,  and  were  dispelling  rapidly  ;  and  streaks  of  livid  light- 
ning were  dancing  through  the  masses  of  clouds  that  im- 
pended over  the  western  hills.  While  Mr.  Grant  was  speak- 
ing,  a  flash,  which  sent  its  quivering  light  through  the 
gloom,  laying  bare  the  whole  opposite  horizon,  was  fol- 
lowed by  a  loud  crash  of  thunder,  that  rolled  away  among 
the  hills,  seeming  to  shake  the  foundations  of  the  earth  to 
their  centre.  Mohegan  raised  himself,  as  if  in  obedience 
to  a  signal  for  his  departure,  and  stretched  his  wasted  arm 
toward  the  west.  His  dark  face  lighted  with  a  look  of  joy  ; 
which,  with  all  other  expressions,  gradually  disappeared  ; 
the  muscles  stiffening  as  they  retreated  to  a  state  of  rest  ; 
a  slight  convulsion  played,  for  a  single  instant,  about  his 
lips  ;  and  his  arm  slowly  dropped  by  his  side  ;  leaving  the 
frame  of  the  dead  warrior  reposing  against  the  rock  with 
its  glassy  eyes  open,  and  fixed  on  the  distant  hills,  as  if  the 
deserted  shell  were  tracing  the  flight  of  the  spirit  to  its  new 
abode. 

All  this  Mr.  Grant  witnessed  in  silent  awe  ;  but  when 
the  last  echoes  of  the  thunder  died  away,  he  clasped  his 
hands  together,  with  pious  energy,  and  repeated,  in  the 
full,  rich  tones  of  assured  faith  : 

"  O  Lord  !  how  unsearchable  are  Thy  judgments  ;  and 
Thy  ways  past  finding  out!  'I  know  that  my  Redeemer 
liveth,  and  that  Fie  shall  stand  at  the  latter  day  upon  the 
earth  ;  and  though  after  my  skin,  worms  destroy  this  body, 
yet  in  my  flesh  shall  I  see  God,  whom  I  shall  see  for  my- 
self, and  mine  eyes  shall  behold,  and  not  another.'  " 

As  the  divine  closed  this  burst  of  devotion,  he  bowed  his 
head  meekly  to  his  bosom,  and  looked  all  the  dependence 
and  humility  that  the  inspired  language  expressed. 

When  Mr.  Grant  retired  from  the  body,  the  hunter  ap- 
proached, and  taking  the  rigid  hand  of  his  friend,  looked 
him  wistfully  in  the  face  for  some  time  without  speaking, 
when  he  gave  vent  to  his  feelings  by  saying,  in  the  mourn- 
ful voice  of  one  who  felt  deeply  : 

*'  Red  skin  or  white,  it's  all  over  now  !  He's  to  be  judged 
by  a  righteous  Judge,  and  by  no  laws  that's  made  to  suit 
times,  and  new  ways.  Well,  there's  only  one  more  death, 
and  the  world  will  be  left  to  me  and  the  hounds.  Ah's  me  I 


THE  PIONEERS.  393 

a  man  must  wait  the  time  of  God's  pleasure,  but  I  begin  to 
weary  of  life.  There  is  scarcely  a  tree  standing  that  I  know, 
and  it's  hard  to  find  a  face  that  I  was  acquainted  with  in 
ray  younger  days." 

Large  drops  of  rain  now  began  to  fall,  and  diffuse  them- 
selves over  the  dry  rock,  while  the  approach  of  the  thunder 
shower  was  rapid  and  certain.  The  body  of  the  Indian  was 
hastily  removed  into  the  cave  beneath,  followed  by  the 
whining  hounds,  who  missed  and  moaned  for  the  look  of 
intelligence  that  had  always  met  their  salutations  to  the 
chief. 

Edwards  made  some  hasty  and  confused  excuse  for  not 
taking  Elizabeth  into  the  same  place,  which  was  now  com- 
pletely closed  in  front  with  logs  and  bark,  saying  some- 
thing that  she  hardly  understood  about  its  darkness,  and 
the  unpleasantness  of  being  with  the  dead  body.  Miss 
Temple,  however,  found  a  sufficient  shelter  against  the 
torrent  of  rain  that  fell,  under  the  projection  of  a  rock 
which  overhung  them.  But  long  before  the  shower  was 
over,  the  sounds  of  voices  were  heard  below  them  crying 
aloud  for  Elizabeth,  and  men  soon  appeared  beating  the 
dying  embers  of  the  bushes,  as  they  worked  their  way  cau- 
tiously among  the  unextinguished  brands. 

At  the  first  short  cessation  in  the  rain,  Oliver  conducted 
Elizabeth  to  the  road,  where  he  left  her.  Before  parting, 
however,  he  found  time  to  say,  in  a  fervent  manner,  that 
his  companion  was  now  at  no  loss  to  interpret  : 

"  The  moment  of  concealment  is  over,  Miss  Temple. 
By  this  time  to-morrow,  I  shall  remove  a  veil  that  per- 
haps it  has  been  weakness  to  keep  around  me  and  my  af- 
fairs so  long.  But  I  have  had  romantic  and  foolish  wishes 
and  weakness  ;  and  who  has  not,  that  is  young  and  torn  by 
conflicting  passions?  God  bless  you!  I  hear  your  father's 
voice  ;  he  is  coming  up  the  road,  and  I  would  not,  just 
now,  subject  myself  to  detention.  Thank  Heaven,  you  are 
safe  again  ;  that  alone  removes  the  weight  of  a  world  from 
my  spirit ! " 

He  waited  for  no  answer,  but  sprang  into  the  woods. 
Elizabeth,  notwithstanding  she  heard  the  cries  of  her  father 
as  he  called  upon  her  name,  paused  until  he  was  concealed 
among  the  smoking  trees,  when  she  turned,  and  fti  a  mo- 
ment rushed  into  the  arms  of  her  half-distracted  parent. 

A  carriage  had  been  provided,  into  which  Miss  Temple 
hastily  entered  ;  when  the  cry  was  passed  along  the  hill, 


394    x  ^HE  PIONEERS. 

that  the  lost  one  was  jound  and  the  people  returned  to  th<J 
village  wet  and  dirty,  but  elated  with  the  thought  that  the 
daughter  of  their  landlord  had  escaped  from  so  horrid  and 
untimely  an  end.* 


CHAPTER 

"Selictar  !  unsheathe  then  our  chief's  scimetar; 
Tambourgi  !  thy  'larum  gives  promise  of  war  ; 
Ye  mountains !  that  see  us  descend  to  the  shore, 
Shall  view  us  as  victors,  or  view  us  no  more." — BYRON. 

THE  heavy  showers  that  prevailed  during  the  remainder 
of  the  day  completely  stopped  the  progress  of  the  flames  ; 
though  glimmering  fires  were  observed  during  the  night, 
on  different  parts  of  the  hill,  wherever  there  was  a  collec- 
tion of  fuel  to  feed  the  element.  The  next  day  the  woods 
for  many  miles  were  black  and  smoking,  and  were  stripped 
of  every  vestige  of  brush  and  dead  wood  ;  but  the  pines 
and  hemlocks  still  reared  their  heads  proudly  among  the 
hills,  and  even  the  smaller  trees  of  the  forest  retained  a 
feeble  appearance  of  life  and  vegetation. 

The  many  tongues  of  rumor  were  busy  in  exaggerating 
the  miraculous  escape  of  Elizabeth  ;  and  a  report  was  gen- 
erally credited,  that  Mohegan  had  actually  perished  in  the 
flames.  This  belief  became  confirmed,  and  was  indeed 
rendered  probable,  when  the  direful  intelligence  reached 
the  village  that  Jotham  Riddell,  the  miner,  was  found  in 
his  hole,  nearly  dead  with  suffocation,  and  burnt  to  such  a 
degree  that  no  hopes  were  entertained  of  his  life. 

The  public  attention  became  much  alive  to  the  events 
of  the  last  few  days  ;  and,  just  at  this  crisis,  the  convicted 
counterfeiters  took  the  hint  from  Natty,  and,  on  the  night 
succeeding  the  fire,  found  means  to  cut  through  their  log 
prison  also,  and  to  escape  unpunished.  When  this  news 

*  The  probability  of  a  fire  in  the  woods  similar  to  that  here  described 
has  been  questioned.  The  writer  can  only  say  that  he  once  witnessed  a 
fire  in  another  part  of  New  York  that  compelled  a  man  to  desert  his  wagon 
and  horses  in  the  highway,  and  in  which  the  latter  were  destroyed.  In 
order  to  estimate  the  probability  of  such  an  event,  it  is  necessary  to  re- 
member the  effects  of  a  long  drought  in  that  climate  and  the  abundance  of 
dead  wood  which  is  found  in  a  forest  like  that  described.  The  fires  in  the 
American  forests  frequently  rage  to  such  an  extent  as  to  produce  a  sensible 
effect  on  the  atmosphere  at  a  distance  of  fifty  miles.  Houses,  barns,  and 
fences  are  quite  commonly  swept  away  in  their  course. 


THE  PIONEERS.  395 

began  to  circulate  through  the  village,  blended  with  the 
fate  of  Jotham,  and  the  exaggerated  and  tortured  reports 
of  the  events  on  the  hill,  the  popular  opinion  was  freely 
expressed,  as  to  the  propriety  of  seizing  such  of  the  fugi- 
tives as  remained  within  reach.  Men  talked  of  the  cave  as 
a  secret  receptacle  of  guilt  ;  and,  as  the  rumor  of  ores  and 
rnetals  found  its  way  into  the  confused  medley  of  con- 
jectures, counterfeiting,  and  everything  else  that  was 
wicked  and  dangerous  to  the  peace  of  society,  suggested 
themselves  to  the  busy  fancies  of  the  populace. 

While  the  public  mind  was  in  this  feverish  state,  it  wras 
hinted  that  the  wood  had  been  set  on  fire  by  Edwards  and 
the  Leather-Stocking,  and  that,  consequently,  they  alone 
were  responsible  for  the  damages.  1  his  opinion  soon 
gained  ground,  being  most  circulated  by  those  wrho,  by 
their  own  heedlessness,  had  caused  the  evil  ;  and  there  was 
one  irresistible  burst  of  the  common  sentiment  that  an  at- 
tempt should  be  made  to  punish  the  offenders.  Richard 
was  by  no  means  deaf  to  this  appeal,  and  by  noon  he  set 
about  in  earnest  to  see  the  laws  executed. 

Several  stout  young  men  were  selected,  and  taken  apart 
with  an  appearance  of  secrecy,  where  they  received  some 
important  charge  from  the  sheriff,  immediately  under  the 
eyes,  but  far  removed  from  the  ears,  of  all  in  the  village. 
Possessed  of  a  knowledge  of  their  duty,  these  youths  hur- 
ried into  the  hills,  with  a  bustling  manner,  as  if  the  fate  of 
the  world  depended  on  their  diligence,  and,  at  the  same 
time,  with  an  air  of  mystery  as  great  as  if  they  were  en- 
gaged on  secret  matters  of  the  state. 

At  twelve  precisely  a  drum  beat  the  "  long  roll  "  before 
the  "  Bold  Dragoon,"  and  Richard  appeared,  accompanied 
by  Captain  Hollister,  who  was  clad  in  his  vestments  as  com- 
mander of  the  "  Templeton  Light  Infantry,"  when  the 
former  demanded  of  the  latter  the  aid  of  the  posse  comi- 
tatus  in  enforcing  the  laws  of  the  country.  We  have  not 
room  to  record  the  speeches  of  the  two  gentlemen  on  this 
occasion,  but  they  are  preserved  in  the  columns  of  the  little 
blue  newspaper,  which  is  yet  to  be  found  on  the  file,  and 
are  said  to  be  highly  creditable  to  the  legal  formula  of  one 
of  the  parties,  and  to  the  military  precision  of  the  other. 
Everything  had  been  previously  arranged,  and,  as  the  red- 
coated  drummer  continued  to  roll  out  his  clattering  notes, 
some  five-and-twenty  privates  appeared  in  the  ranks,  ancl 
arranged  themselves  in  the  order  of  battle. 


396  THE  PIONEERS. 

As  this  corps  was  composed  of  volunteers,  and  was  corn* 
manded  by  a  man  who  had  passed  the  first  five-and-thirty 
years  of  his  life  in  camps  and  garrisons,  it  was  the  non- 
pareil of  military  science  in  that  country,  and  was  confi 
dently  pronounced  by  the  judicious  part  of  the  Templeton 
community,  to  be  equal  in  skill  and  appearance  to  any 
troops  in  the  known  world  ;  in  physical. endowments  they 
were,  certainly,  much  superior!  To  this  assertion  there 
were  but  three  dissenting  voices,  and  one  dissenting  opin- 
ion. The  opinion  belonged  to  Marmaduke,  who,  how- 
ever, saw  no  necessity  for  its  promulgation.  Of  the  voices, 
one,  and  that  a  pretty  loud  one,  came  from  the  spouse  of 
the  commander  himself,  who  frequently  reproached  her 
husband  for  condescending  to  lead  such  an  irregular  band 
of  warriors,  after  he  had  filled  the  honorable  station  of 
sergeant-major  to  a  dashing  corps  of  Virginia  cavalry 
through  much  of  the  recent  war. 

Another  of  these  skeptical  sentiments  was  invariably 
expressed  by  Mr.  Pump,  whenever  the  company  paraded, 
generally  in  some  such  terms  as  these,  which  were  uttered 
with  that  sort  of  meekness  that  a  native  of  the  island  of 
our  forefathers  is  apt  to  assume  when  he  condescends  to 
praise  the  customs  or  character  of  her  truant  progeny  : 

"  It's  mayhap  that  they  knows  sum'mat  about  loading 
and  firing,  d'ye  see,  but  as  for  working  ship  ?  why,  a 
corporal's  guard  of  the  Boadishey's  marines  would  back 
and  fill  on  their  quarters  in  such  a  manner  as  to  surround 
and  captivate  them  all  in  half  a  glass."  As  there  was  no 
one  to  deny  this  assertion,  the  marines  of  the  Boadicea 
were  held  in  a  corresponding  degree  of  estimation. 

The  third  unbeliever  was  Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  who  merely 
whispered  to  the  sheriff,  that  the  corps  was  one  of  the 
finest  he  had  ever  seen,  second  only-to  the  Mousquetaires 
of  Le  Bon  Louis!  However,  as  Mrs.  Hollister  thought 
there  was  something  like  actual  service  in  the  present  ap- 
pearances, and  was,  in  consequence,  too  busily  engaged 
with  certain  preparations  of  her  own,  to  make  her  com- 
ments ;  as  Benjamin  was  absent,  and  Monsieur  Le  Quoi 
too  happy  to  find  fault  with  anything,  the  corps  escaped 
criticism  and  comparison  altogether  on  this  momentous 
day,  when  they  certainly  had  greater  need  of  self-confi- 
dence than  on  any  other  previous  occasion.  Marmaduke 
was  said  to  be  again  closeted  with  Mr.  Van  der  School, 
and  no  interruption  was  offered  to  the  movements  of  the 


THE  PIONEERS.  397 

troops.  At  two  o'clock  precisely  the  corps  shouldered 
arms,  beginning  on  the  right  wing,  next  to  the  veteran, 
and  carrying  the  motion  through  to  the  left  with  great 
regularity.  When  each  musket  was  quietly  fixed  in  its 
proper  situation,  the  order  was  given  to  wheel  to  the  left, 
and  march.  As  this  was  bringing  raw  troops,  at  once, 
to  face  their  enemy,  it  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  the 
manoeuvre  was  executed  with  their  usual  accuracy  ;  but 
as  the  music  struck  up  the  inspiring  air  of  Yankee-doodle, 
and  Richard,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Doolittle,  preceded  the 
troops  boldly  down  the  street,  Captain  Hollister  led  on, 
with  his  head  elevated  to  forty-five  degrees,  with  a  little, 
low  cocked  hat  perched  on  his  crown,  carrying  a  tremen- 
dous dragoon  sabre  at  a  poise,  and  trailing  at  his  heels  a 
huge  steel  scabbard,  that  had  war  in  its  very  clattering. 
There  was  a  good  deal  of  difficulty  in  getting  all  the 
platoons  (there  were  six)  to  look  the  same  way  ;  but,  by 
the  time  they  reached  the  defile  of  the  bridge,  the  troops 
were  in  sufficiently  compact  order.  In  this  manner  they 
marched  up  the  hill  to  the  summit  of  the  mountain,  no 
other  alteration  taking  place  in  the  disposition  of  the 
forces,  excepting  that  a  mutual  complaint  was  made,  by 
the  sheriff  and  the  magistrate,  of  a  failure  in  wind,  which 
gradually  brought  these  gentlemen  to  the  rear.  It  will  be 
unnecessary  to  detail  the  minute  movements  that  suc- 
ceeded. We  shall  briefly  say,  that  the  scouts  came  in  and 
reported,  that,  so  far  from  retreating,  as  had  been  antici- 
pated, the  fugitives  had  evidently  gained  a  knowledge  of 
the  attack,  and  were  fortifying  for  a  desperate  resistance. 
This  intelligence  certainly  made  a  material  change,  not 
only  in  the  plans  of  the  leaders,  but  in  the  countenances 
of  the  soldiery  also.  The  men  looked  at  one  another  with 
serious  faces,  and  Hiram  and  Richard  began  to  consult 
together,  apart. 

At  this  conjuncture,  they  were  joined  by  Billy  Kirby, 
who  came  along  the  highway,  with  his  axe  under  his  arm, 
as  much  in  advance  of  his  team  as  Captain  Hollister  had 
been  of  his  troops  in  the  ascent.  The  wood-chopper  was 
amazed  at  the  military  array,  but  the  sheriff  eagerly  availed 
himself  of  this  powerful  reinforcement,  and  commanded 
his  assistance  in  putting  the  laws  in  force.  Billy  held  Mr. 
Jones  in  too  much  deference  to  object ;  and  it  was  finally 
arranged  that  he  should  be  the  bearer  of  a  summons  to 
the  garrison  to  surrender  before  they  proceeded  to  ex- 


398  THE  PIONEERS. 

tremities.  The  troops  now  divided,  one  party  being  led 
by  the  captain,  over  the  Vision,  and  were  brought  in  on 
the  left  of  the  cave,  while  the  remainder  advanced  upon 
its  right,  under  the  orders  of  the  lieutenant.  Mr.  Jones 
and  Dr.  Todd — for  the  surgeon  was  in  attendance  also — 
appeared  on  the  platform  of  rock,  immediately  over  the 
heads  of  the  garrison,  though  out  of  their  sight.  Hiram 
thought  this  approaching  too  near,  and  he  therefore  ac- 
companied Kirby  along  the  side  of  the  hill,  to  within  a 
safe  distance  of  the  fortifications,  where  he  took  shelter 
behind  a  tree.  Most  of  the  men  discovered  great  accuracy 
of  eye  in  bringing  some  object  in  range  between  them 
and  their  enemy,  and  the  only  two  of  the  besiegers,  who 
were  left  in  plain  sight  of  the  besieged,  were  Captain  Hoi- 
lister  on  one  side,  and  the  wood-chopper  on  the  other. 
The  veteran  stood  up  boldly  to  the  front,  supporting  his 
heavy  sword  in  one  undeviating  position,  with  his  eye 
fixed  firmly  on  his  enemy,  while  the  huge  form  of  Billy 
was  placed  in  that  kind  of  quiet  repose,  with  either  hand 
thrust  into  his  bosom,  bearing  his  axe  under  his  right  arm, 
which  permitted  him,  like  his  own  oxen,  to  rest  standing. 
So  far,  not  a  word  had  been  exchanged  between  the  bellig- 
erents. The  besieged  had  drawny;ogether  a  pile  of  black 
logs  and  branches  of  trees,  which  they  had  formed  into  a 
chevaux-de-frise,  making  a  little  circular  abatis  in  front  of 
the  entrance  to  the  cave.  As  the  ground  was  steep  and 
slippery  in  every  direction  around  the  place,  and  Benja- 
min appeared  behind  the  works  on  one  side,  and  Natty  on 
the  other,  the  arrangement  was  by  no  means  contemptible, 
especially  as  the  front  was  sufficiently  guarded  by  the  dif- 
ficulty of  the  approach.  By  this  time,  Kirby  had  received 
his  orders,  and  he  advanced  coolly  along  the  mountain, 
picking  his  way  with  the  same  indifference  as  if  he  were 
pursuing  his  ordinary  business.  When  he  was  within  a 
hundred  feet  of  the  works,  the  long  and  much-dreaded  rifle 
of  the  Leather-Stocking  was  seen  issuing  from  the  para- 
pet, and  his  voice  cried  aloud  : 

"  Keep  off  !  Billy  Kirby,  keep  off !  I  wish  ye  no  harm  ; 
but  if  a  man  of  ye  all  comes  a  step  nigher,  there'll  be 
blood  spilt  atwixt  us.  God  forgive  the  one  that  draws  it 
first,  but  so  it  must  be." 

"Come,  old  chap,"  said  Billy,  good-naturedly,  " don't 
be  crabb'd,  but  hear  what  a  man  has  got  to  say.  I've  no 
consarn  in  the  business,  only  to  see  right  'twixt  man  and 


THE  PIONEERS. 


399 


man  ;  and  I  don't  kear  the  valie  of  a  beetle-ring  which 
gets  the  better ;  but  there's  Squire  Doolittle,  yonder  be- 
hind the  beech  sapling,  he  has  invited  me  to  come  in  and 
ask  you  to  give  up  to  the  law — that's  all." 

"  I  see  the  varmint !  I  see  his  clothes  !  "  cried  the  indig- 
nant Natty  '•  "and  if  he'll  only  show  so  much  flesh  as  will 
bury  a  rifle  bullet,  thirty  to  the  pound,  I'll  make  him  fee) 
me.  Go  away,  Billy,  I  bid  ye  :  you  know  my  aim,  and  I 
bear  you  no  malice." 

"  You  over-calculate  your  aim,  Natty,"  said  the  other, 
as  he  stepped  behind  a  pine  that  stood  near  him  !  "  if  you 
you  think  to  shoot  a  man  through  a  tree  with  a  three  foot 
butt.  I  can  lay  this  tree  right  across  you  in  ten  minutes, 
by  any  man's  watch,  and  in  less  time,  too  ;  so  be  civil — I 
want  no  more  than  what's  right." 

There  was  a  simple  seriousness  in  the  countenance  of 
Natty,  that  showed  he  was  much  in  earnest  ;  but  it  was 
also  evident  that  he  was  reluctant  to  shed  human  blood. 
Be  answered  the  taunt  of  the  wood-chopper,  by  saying  : 

"  I  know  you  drop  a  tree  where  you  will,  Billy  Kirby; 
but  if  you  show  a  hand,  or  an  arm,  in  doing  it,  there'll  be 
bones  to  be  set,  and  bicod  to  staunch.  If  it's  only  to  get 
into  the  cave  that  ye  want,  wait  till  a  two  hours'  sun,  and 
you  may  enter  it  in  welcon.e  ,  but  come  in  now  you  shall 
not-  There's  one  dead  body  aiready,  lying  on  the  cold 
rocks,  and  there's  another  in  which  the  life  can  hardly  be 
said  to  stay.  If  you  will  come  in,  thvi-e'll  be  dead  without 
as  well  as  within." 

The  wood-chopper  stepped  out  fearlessly  trom  his  cover, 
and  cried  : 

"  That's  fair  ;  and  what's  fair  is  right.  He  tvants  you  to 
stop  till  it's  two  hours  to  sundown  ;  and  I  see  reason  in  the 
thing.  A  man  can  give  up  when  he's  wrong,  it  you  don't 
crowd  him  too  hard  ;  but  you  crowd  a  man,  and  he  gets  to 
be  like  a  stubborn  ox — the  more  you  beat,  the  worse  he 
kicks." 

The  sturdy  notions  of  independence  maintained  by  Billy 
neither  suited  the  emergency  nor  the  impatience  of  Mr. 
Jones,  who  was  burning  with  a  desire  to  examine  the  hid- 
den mysteries  of  the  cave.  He  therefore  interrupted  this 
amicable  dialogue  with  his  own  voice  : 

"  i  command  you,  Nathaniel  Bumppo,  by  my  authority, 
to  surrender  your  person  to  the  law,"  he  cried.  "  And  I 
command  you,  gentlemen,  to-  aid  me  in  performing  my 


400-  THE  PIONEERS. 

duty.  Benjamin  Penguillan,  I  arrest  you,  and  order  you 
to  follow  me  to  the  jail  of  the  county,  by  virtue  of  this 
warrant." 

"  I'd  follow  ye,  Squire  Dickens,"  said  Benjamin,  remov- 
ing the  pipe  from  his  mouth  (for  during  the  whole  scene 
the  ex-major-domo  had  been  very  composedly  smoking); 
"  ay  !  I'd  sail  in  your  wake,  to  the  end  of  the  world,  if-so- 
be  that  there  was  such  a  place,  where  there  isn't,  seeing 
that  it's  round.  Now  mayhap,  Master  Hollister,  having 
lived  all  your  life  on  shore,  you  isn't  acquainted  that  the 
world,  d'ye  see " 

"  Surrender  !  "  interrupted  the  veteran,  in  a  voice  that 
startled  his  hearers,  and  which  actually  caused  his  own 
forces  to  recoil  several  paces  ;  "surrender,  Benjamin  Pen- 
gullum,  or  expect  no  quarter." 

"  Damn  your  quarter  !  "  said  Benjamin,  rising  from  the 
log  on  which  he  was  seated,  and  taking  a  squint  along  the 
barrel  of  the  swivel,  which  had  been  brought  on  the  hill 
during  the  night,  and  now  formed  the  means  of  Gefence 
on  his  side  of  the  works.  "  Look  you,  master  or  captain, 
ihof  I  questions  if  ye  know  the  name  of  a  rope,  except 
ihe  one  that's  to  hang  ye,  there's  no  need  of  singing  out,  as 
if  ye  was  hailing  a  deaf  man  on  a  top-gallant  yard.  Mayhap 
you  think  you've  got  my  true  name  in  your  sheep-skin  ; 
but  what  British  sailor  finds  it  worth  while  to  sail  in  these 
seas,  without  a  sham  on  his  stern,  in  case  of  need,  d'ye  see. 
If  you  call  me  Penguillan,  you  calls  me  by  the  name  of  the 
man  on  whose  land,  d'ye  see,  I  hove  into  daylight  ;  and 
he  was  a  gentleman  ;  and  that's  more  than  my  worst  enemy 
will  say  of  any  of  the  family  of  Benjamin  Stubbs." 

"  Send  the  warrant  round  to  me,  and  I'll  put  in  an  alias," 
cried  Hiram,  from  behind  his  cover. 

"  Put  in  a  jackass,  and  you'll  put  in  yourself,  Mister  Doo- 
but-little,"  shouted  Benjamin,  who  kept  squinting  along 
his  little  iron  tube,  with  great  steadiness. 

"  I  give  you  but  one  moment  to  yield,"  cried  Richard. 
"  Benjamin  !  Benjamin  !  this  is  not  the  gratitude  I  expected 
from  you." 

"  I  tell  you,  Richard  Jones,"  said  Natty,  who  dreaded  the 
sheriff's  influence  over  his  comrade  ;  "  though  the  canistef 
the  gal  brought  be  lost,  there's  powder  enough  in  the  cave 
to  lift  the  rock  you  stand  on.  I'll  take  off  my  roof  if  you 
don't  hold  your  peace." 

"I  think  it  beneath  the   dignity  of  my  office  to  parley 


THE  PIONEERS.  4ot 

further  with  the  prisoners,"  the  sheriff  observed  to  his  com- 
panion, while  they  both  re-tired  with  a  precipitancy  that 
Captain  Hollister  mistook  for  the  signal  to  advance. 
"Charge  baggonet !  "  shouted  the  veteran  ;  "  march  !  " 
Although  this  signal  was  certainly  expected,  it  took  the 
assailed  a  little  by  surprise,  and  the  veteran  approached 
the  works,  crying,  "  Courage,  my  brave  lads  !  give  them  no 
quarter  unless  they  surrender  ;"  and  struck  a  furious  blow 
upward  with  his  sabre,  that  would  have  divided  the 
steward  into  moieties,  by  subjecting  him  to  the  process  of 
decapitation,  but  for  the  fortunate  interference  of  the  muz- 
zle of  the  swivel.  As  it  was,  the  gun  was  dismounted  at 
the  critical  moment  that  Benjamin  was  applying  his  pipe 
to  the  priming,  and  in  consequence  some  five  or  six  dozen 
of  rifle  bullets  were  projected  into  the  air,  in  nearly  a  per- 
pendicular line.  Philosophy  teaches  us  that  the  atmos- 
phere will  not  retain  lead  ;  and  two  pounds  of  the  metal, 
molded  into  bullets  of  thirty  to  the  pound,  after  describing 
an  ellipsis  in  their  journey,  returned  to  the  earth  rattling 
among  the  branches  of  the  trees  directly  over  the  heads  of 
the  troops  stationed  in  the  rear  of  their  captain.  Much  of 
the  success  of  an  attack,  made  by  irregular  soldiers,  de- 
pends on  the  direction  in  which  they  are  first  got  in  motion. 
In  the  present  instance  it  was  retrograde,  and  in  less  than 
a  minute  after  the  bellowing  report  of  the  swivel  among 
the  rocks  and  caverns,  the  whole  weight  of  the  attack  from 
the  left  rested  on  the  prowess  of  the  single  arm  of  the  vet- 
eran. Benjamin  received  a  severe  contusion  from  the  re- 
coil of  his  gun,  which  produced  a  short  stupor,  during 
which  period  the  ex-steward  was  prostrate  on  the  ground. 
Captain  Hollister  availed  himself  of  this  circumstance  to 
scramble  over  the  breastwork  and  obtain  a  footing  in  the 
bastion — for  such  was  the  nature  of  the  fortress,  as  con- 
nected with  the  cave.  The  moment  the  veteran  found 
himself  within  the  works  of  his  enemy,  he  rushed  to  the 
edge  of  the  fortification,  and,  waving  his  sabre  over  his  headj 
shouted : 

"  Victory !  come  on,  my  brave  boys,  the  work's  our  own  !  '* 
All  this  was  perfectly  military,  and  was  such  an  example 
as  a  gallant  officer  wTas  in  some  measure  bound  to  exhibit 
to  his  men  ;  but  the  outcry  was  the  unlucky  cause  of  turn- 
ing the  tide  of  success.     Natty,  who  had  been  keeping  a 
vigilant  eye  on  the  wood-chopper,  and  the  enemy  immedi- 
ately before  him,  wheeled  at  this  alarm,  and  was  appalled 
26 


402  THE  PIONEERS. 

at  beholding  his  comrade  on  the  ground,  and  the  veteran 
standing  on  his  own  bulwark,  giving  forth  the  cry  of  vic- 
tory !  The  muzzle  of  the  long  rifle  was  turned  instantly 
toward  the  captain.  There  was  a  moment  when  the  life  of 
the  old  soldier  was  in  great  jeopardy  ;  but  the  object  to 
shoot  at  was  both  too  large  and  too  near  for  the  Leather- 
Stocking,  who,  instead  of  pulling  his  trigger,  applied  the 
gun  to  the  rear  of  his  enemy,  and  by  a  powerful  shove  sent 
him  outside  of  the  works  with  much  greater  rapidity  than 
he  had  entered  them.  The  spot  on  which  Captain  Hollister 
alighted  was  directly  in  front,  where,  as  his  feet  touched 
the  ground,  so  steep  and  slippery  was  the  side  of  the 
mountain,  it  seemed  to  recede  from  under  them.  His 
motion  was  swift,  and  so  irregular  as  utterly  to  confuse  the 
faculties  of  the  old  soldier.  During  its  continuance,  he 
supposed  himself  to  be  mounted,  and  charging  through 
the  ranks  of  his  enemy.  At  every  tree  he  made  a  blow,  of 
course,  as  at  a  foot-soldier  ;  and  just  as  he  was  making  the 
cut  "  St.  George  "  at  a  half-burnt  sapling  he  landed  in  the 
highway,  and,  to  his  utter  amazement,  at  the  feet  of  his 
own  spouse.  When  Mrs  Hollister,  who  was  toiling  up 
the  hill,  followed  by  at  least  twenty  curious  boys,  leaning 
with  one  hand  on  the  staff  with  which  she  ordinarily 
walked,  and  bearing  in  the  other  an  empty  bag,  witnessed 
this  exploit  of  her  husband,  indignation  immediately  got 
the  better,  not  only  of  her  religion,  but  of  her  philosophy. 

"Why,  sargeant!  is  it  flying  ye  are  ?"  she  cried — "that 
I  should  live  to  see  a  husband  of  mine  turn  his  back  to  an 
inimy  !  and  such  a  one  !  Here  I  have  been  telling  the  b'ys, 
as  we  come  along,  all  about  the  saige  of  Yorrektown,  and 
how  ye  was  hurted  ;  and  how  ye'd  be  acting  the  same  ag'in 
the  day  ;  and  I  mate  ye  retraiting  jist  as  the  first  gun  is 
fired.  Och  !  I  may  trow  away  the  bag !  for  if  there's  plunder, 
'twill  not  be  the  wife  of  sich  as  yerself  that  will  be  privileged 
to  be  getting  the  same.  They  do  say,  too,  there  is  a  power  of 
goold  and  silver  in  the  place — the  Lord  forgive  me  for  set- 
ting my  heart  on  worrldly  things  ;  but  what  falls  in  the  bat- 
tle, there's  scripter  for  believing,  is  the  just  property  of 
the  victor." 

"  Retreating  !  "  exclaimed  the  amazed  veteran  ;  "  where's 
my  horse  ?  he  has  been  shot  under  me — I " 

"  Is  the  man  mad?"  interrupted  his  wife — "devil  the 
horse  do  ye  own,  sargeant,  and  ye're  nothing  but  a  shabby 
captain  of  malaishy.  Oh  !  If  the  ra'al  captain  was  here,  'tis 


THE  PIONEERS.  403 

the  other  way  ye'd  be  riding,  dear,  or  you  would  not  follow 
your  laider  ! " 

While  this  worthy  couple  were  thus  discussing  events, 
the  battle  began  to  rage  more  violently  than  ever  above 
them.  When  Leather-Stocking  saw  his  enemy  fairly  under 
headway,  as  Benjamin  would  express  it,  he  gave  his  atten- 
tion to  the  right  wing  of  the  assailants.  It  would  have 
been  easy  for  Kirby,  with  his  powerful  frame,  to  have  seized 
Ihe  moment  to  scale  the  bastion,  and,  with  his  great  strength, 
to  have  sent  both  of  its  defenders  in  pursuit  of  the  veteran  ; 
but  hostility,  appeared  to  be  the  passion  that  the  wood- 
chopper  indulged  the  least  in  at  that  moment,  for,  in  a  voice 
that  was  heard  by  the  retreating  left  wing,  he  shouted  : 

"  Hurra !  well  done,  captain !  keep  it  up  !  how  he 
handles  his  bush-hook  !  he  makes  nothing  of  a  sapling  !  " 
and  such  other  encouraging  exclamations  to  the  flying  vet' 
eran,  until,  overcome  by  mirth,  the  good-natured  fellow 
seated  himself  -on  the  ground,  kicking  the  earth  with  de- 
light, and  giving  vent  to  peal  after  peal  of  laughter. 

Natty  stood  all  this  time  in  a  menancing  attitude,  with  his 
rifle  pointed  over  the  breastwork,  watching  with  a  quick 
and  cautious  eye  the  least  movement  of  the  assailants.  The 
outcry  unfortunately  tempted  the  ungovernable  curiosity 
of  Hiram  to  take  a  peep  from  behind  his  cover  at  the  state 
of  the  battle.  Though  this  evolution  was  performed  with 
great  caution,  in  protecting  his  front,  he  left,  like  many  a 
better  commander,  his  rear  exposed  to  the  attacks  of  his 
enemy.  Mr.  Doolittle  belonged  physically  to  a  class  of  his 
countrymen,  to  whom  Nature  has  denied,  in  their  forma- 
tion, the  use  of  curved  lines.  Everything  about  him  was 
either  straight  or  angular.  But  his  tailor  was  a  woman 
who  worked,  like  a  regimental  contractor,  by  a  set  of  rules 
that  gave  the  same  configuration  to  the  whole  human  spe- 
cies. Consequently,  when  Mr.  Doolittle  leaned  forward  in 
the  manner  described,  a  loose  drapery  appeared  behind  the 
tree,  at  which  the  rifle  of  Natty  \vas  pointed  with  the  quick- 
ness of  lightning.  A  less  experienced  man  would  have 
aimed  at  the  flowing  robe,  which  hung  like  a  festoon  half- 
way to  the  earth  ;  but  the  Leather-Stocking  knew  both  the 
man  and  his  female  tailor  better  ;  and  when  the  smart  report 
of  the  rifle  was  heard,  Kirby,  wrho  watched  the  whole  ma. 
nceuvre  in  breathless  expectation,  saw  the  bark  fly  from 
the  beech,  and  the  cloth,  at  some  distance  above  the  loose 
folds,  wave  at  the  same  instant.  No  battery  was  ever  un- 


404  THE  PIONEERS. 

masked  with  mo  re  promptitude  than  Hiram  advanced  from 
behind  the  tree  at  this  summons. 

He  made  two  or  three  steps,  with  great  precision,  to  the 
front,  and,  placing  one  hand  on  the  afflicted  part,  stretched 
forth  the  other,  with  a  menancing  air  toward  Natty,  and 
cried  aloud  : 

"  Gawl  darn  ye  !  this  sha'n't  be  settled  so  easy ;  I'll 
follow  it  up  from  the 'common  pleas'  to  the  'court  of 
errors.' ' 

Such  a  shocking  imprecation,  from  the  mouth  of  so 
orderly  a  man  as  Squire  Doolittle,  with  the  fearless  man- 
ner in  which-  he  exposed  himself,  together  with,  perhaps, 
the  knowledge  that  Natty's  rifle  was  unloaded,  encouraged 
the  troops  in  the  rear,  who  gave  a  loud  shout,  and  fired  a 
volley  into  the  tree-tops,  after  the  contents  of  the  swivel. 
Animated  by  their  own  noise,  the  men  now  rushed  on  in 
earnest ;  and  Billy  Kirby,  who  thought  the  joke,  good  as 
it  was,  had  gone  far  enough,  was  in  the  act  of  scaling  the 
works,  when  Judge  Temple  appeared  on  the  opposite  side, 
exclaiming: 

" Silence  and  peace!  why  do  I  see  murder  and  blood- 
shed attempted  ?  is  not  the  law  sufficient  to  protect  itself, 
that  armed  bands  must  be  gathered,  as  in  rebellion  and 
war,  to  see  justice  performed  ?" 

"  Tis  the  posse  comitatus,"  shouted  the  sheriif,  from  a 
distant  rock,  "who " 

"  Say  rather  a  posse  of  demons.     I  command  the  peace." 

"  Hold  !  shed  not  blood  !  "  cried  a  voice  from  the  top  of 
the  Vision.  "  Hold,  for  the  sake  of  Heaven,  fire  no  more ! 
all  shall  be  yielded  !  you  shall  enter  the  cave  !  " 

Amazement  produced  the  desired  effect.  Natty,  who 
had  reloaded  his  piece,  quietly  seated  himself  on  the  logs, 
and  rested  his  head  on  his  hands,  while  the  "  Light  In- 
fantry "  ceased  their  military  movements,  and  waited  the 
Issue  in  suspense. 

In  less  than  a  minute  Edwards  came  rushing  down  the 
hill,  followed  by  Major  Hartman,  with  a  velocity  that  was 
surprising  for  his  years.  They  reached  the  terrace  in  an 
instant,  from  which  the  youth  led  the  way,  by  the  hollow 
in  the  rock,  to  the  mouth  of  the  cave,  into  which  they  both 
entered,  leaving  all  without  silent,  and  gazing  after  them 
with  astonishment*. 


THE  PfOKEERS.  405 


CHAPTER  XL. 

"  I  am  dumb. 
Were  you  the  doctor,  and  I  knew  you  not?  " 

— SHAKESPEARE. 

DURING  the  five  or  six  minutes  that  elapsed  before  the 
youth  and  Major  reappeared,  Judge  Temple  and  the 
sheriff,  together  with  most  of  the  volunteers,  ascended  to 
the  terrace,  where  the  latter  began  to  express  their  con- 
jectures of  the  result,  and  to  recount  their  individual 
services  in  the  conflict.  But  the  sight  of  the  peace-makers 
ascending  the  ravine  shut  every  mouth. 

On  a  rude  chair,  covered  with  undressed  deer-skins,  they 
supported  a  human  being,  whom  they  seated  carefully  and 
respectfully  in  the  midst  of  the  assembly.  His  head  was 
covered  by  long,  smooth  locks  of  the  color  of  snow.  His 
dress,  which  was  studiously  neat  and  clean,  was  composed 
of  such  fabrics  as  none  but  the  wealthiest  classes  wear,  but 
was  threadbare  and  patched ;  and  on  his  feet  were  placed 
a  pair  of  moccasins,  ornamented  in  the  best  manner  of 
Indian  ingenuity.  The  outlines  of  his  face  were  grave  and 
dignified,  though  his  vacant  eye,  which  opened  and  turned 
slowly  to  the  faces  of  those  around  him  in  unmeaning 
looks,  too  surely  announced  that  the  period  had  arrived 
when  age  brings  the  mental  imbecility  of  childhood. 

Natty  had  followed  the  supporters  of  this  unexpected 
object  to  the  top  of  the  cave,  and  took  his  station  at  a  little 
distance  behind  him,  leaning  on  his  rifle,  in  the  midst  of 
his  pursuers,  with  a  fearlessness  that  showed  that  heavier 
interests  than  those  which  affected  himself  were  to  be  de- 
cided. Major  Hartmann  placed  himself  beside  the  aged 
man,  uncovered,  with  his  whole  soul  beaming  through 
those  eyes  which  so  commonly  danced  with  frolic  and  hu- 
mor. Edwards  rested  with  one  hand  familiarly  but  affec- 
tionately on  the  chair,  though  his  heart  was  swelling  with 
emotions  that  denied  him  utterance. 

All  eyes  were  gazing  intently,  but  each  tongue  continued 
mute.  At  length  the  decrepit  stranger,  turning  his  vacant 
looks  from  face  to  face,  made  a  feeble  attempt  to  rise,  while 
a  faint  smile  crossed  his  wasted  face,  like  an  habitual  effort 
at  courtesy,  as  he  said,  in  a  hollow,  tremulous  voice  : 

"  Be  pleased  to  be  seated,  gentlemen.     The  council  wiU 


406  THE  PIONEERS. 

open  immediately.  Each  one  who  loves  a  good  and  virtu- 
ous king  will  wish  to  see  these  colonies  continue  loyal. 
Be  seated — I  pray  you,  be  seated,  gentlemen.  The  troops 
sliau  halt  for  the  night." 

"  This  is  the  wandering  of  insanity  !  "  said  Marmaduke  : 
"who  will  explain  this  scene  ?" 

"  No,  sir,"  said  Edwards,  firmly,  "  'tis  only  the  decay  of 
nature  ;  who  is  answerable  for  its  pitiful  condition,  remains 
to  be  shown." 

"  Will  the  gentlemen  dine  with  us,  my  son  ?"  said  the 
old  stranger,  turning  to  a  voice  that  he  both  knew  and 
loved.  "  Order  a  repast  suitable  for  his  Majesty's  officers. 
You  know  we  have  the  best  of  game  always  at  command." 

"Who  is  this  man?"  asked  Marmaduke,  in  a  hurried 
voice,  in  whiqh  the  dawnings  of  conjecture  united  with  in- 
terest to  put  the  question. 

"  This  man,"  returned  Edwards,  calmly,  his  voice,  how- 
ever, gradually  rising  as  he  proceeded;  "this  man,  sir, 
whom  you  behold  hid  in  caverns,  and  deprived  of  every- 
thing that  can  make  life  desirable,  was  once  the  companion 
and  counsellor  of  those  who  ruled  your  country.  This 
man,  whom  you  see  helpless  and  feeble,  was  once  a  war- 
rior, so  brave  and  fearless,  that  even  the  intrepid  natives 
gave  him  the  name  of  the  Fire-eater.  This  man,  whom 
you  now  see  destitute  of  even  the  ordinary  comfort  of  a 
cabin,  in  which  to  shelter  his  head,  was  once  the  owner  of 
great  riches — and,  Judge  Temple,  he  was  the  rightful  pro- 
prietor of  this  very  soil  on  which  we  stand.  This  man  was 
the  father  of " 

"  This,  then,"  cried  Marmaduke,  with  a  powerful  emo- 
tion,  "  this,  then,  is  the  lost  Major  Effingham  !" 

"  Lost  indeed,"  said  the  youth,  fixing  a  piercing  eye  on 
the  other. 

"  And  you  !  and  you  !  "  continued  the  Judge,  articulat> 
ng  with  difficulty. 

"  I  am  his  grandson." 

A  minute  passed  in  profound  silence.  All  eyes  weie 
fixed  on  the  speakers,  and  even  the  old  German  appeared 
to  wait  the  issue  in  deep  anxiety.  But  the  moment  of  agi- 
tation soon  passed.  Marmaduke  raised  his  head  from  his 
bosom,  where  it  had  sunk,  not  in  shame,  but  in  devout 
mental  thanksgivings,  and,  as  large  tears  fell  over  his  fine, 
manly  face,  he  grasped  the  hand  of  the  youth  warmly,  and 
said  : 


THE  PIONEERS.  407 

"  Oliver,  I  forgive  all  thy  harshness — all  thy  suspicions. 
I  now  see  it  all.  I  forgive  thee  everything,  but  suffering 
this  aged  man  to  dwell  in  such  a  place,  when  not  only  my 
habitation,  but  my  fortune,  were  at  his  and  thy  command." 

"  He's  true  as  ter  steel !  "  shouted  Major  Hartmann  ; 
'*  titn't  I  tell  you,  lat,  dat  Marmatuke  Temple  vast  a  friend 
dat  woult  never  fail  in  ter  dime  as  of  neet  ? " 

"  It  is  true,  Judge  Temple,  that  my  opinions  of  your 
conduct  have  been  staggered  by  what  this  worthy  gentle- 
man has  told  me.  When  I  found  it  impossible  to  convey 
my  grandfather  back  whence  the  enduring  love  of  this  old 
man  brought  him,  without  detection  and  exposure,  I  went 
to  the  Mohawk  in  quest  of  one  of  his  former  comrades,  in 
whose  justice  I  had  dependence.  He  is  your  friend,  Judge 
Temple,  but,  if  what  he  says  be  true,  both  my  father  and 
myself  may  have  judged  you  harshly." 

"You  name  your  father!  "  said  Marmaduke,  tenderly — 
"  was  he,  indeed,  lost  in  the  packet  ?" 

u  He  was.  He  had  left  me,  after  several  years  of  fruit- 
less application  and  comparative  poverty,  in  Nova  Scotia, 
to  obtain  the  compensation  for  his  losses  which  the  British 
commissioners  had  at  length  awarded.  After  spending  a 
year  in  England,  he  was  returning  to  Halifax,  on  his  way 
to  a  government  to  which  he  had  been  appointed,  in  the 
West  Indies,  intending  to  go  to  the  place  where  my  grand- 
father had  sojourned  during  and  since  the  war,  and  take  him 
with  us." 

"  But  thou  !  "  said  Marmaduke,  with  powerful  interest , 
"  I  ha*d  thought  that  thou  hadst  perished  with  him." 

A  flush  passed  over  the  cheeks  of  the  young  man,  who 
gazed  about  him  at  the  wondering  faces  of  the  volunteers, 
and  continued  silent.  Marmaduke  turned  to  the  veteran 
captain,  who  just  then  rejoined  his  command,  and  said  : 

"  March  thy  soldiers  back  again,  and  dismiss  them  ;  the 
zeal  of  the  sheriff  has  much  mistaken  his  duty. — Dr.  Todd, 
I  will  thank  you  to  attend  to  the  injury  which  Hiram  Doo- 
little  has  received  in  this  untoward  affair. — R  chard,  you 
will  oblige  me  by  sending  up  the  carriage  to  the  top  of  the 
hill — Benjamin,  return  to  your  duty  in  my  family." 

Unwelcome  as  these  orders  were  to  most  of  the  auditors, 
the  suspicion  that  they  had  somewhat  exceeded  the  whole- 
some restraints  of  the  law,  and  the  habitual  respect  with 
which  all  the  commands  of  the  Judge  were  received,  in- 
duced a  prompt  compliance. 


408  THE  PIONEERS. 

When  they  were  gone,  and  the  rock  was  left  to  the 
parties  most  interested  in  an  explanation,  Marmaduke, 
pointing  to  the  aged  Major  Effingham,  said  to  his  grandson: 

"  Had  we  not  better  remove  thy  parent  from  this  open 
place  until  my  carriage  can  arrive  ?  " 

"  Pardon  me,  sir,  the  air  does  him  good,  and  he  has  taken 
it  whenever  there  was  no  dread  of  a  discovery.  I  know  not 
how  to  act,  Judge  Temple  ;  ought  I,  can  I  suffer  Majoi 
Effingham  to  become  an  inmate  of  your  family  ? " 

"Thou  shalt  be  thyself  the  judge,"  said  Marmaduke. 
"  Thy  father  was  my  early  friend.  He  intrusted  his  for- 
tune to  my  care.  When  we  separated  he  had  such  com- 
fidence  in  me  that  he  wished  no  security,  no  evidence  of 
the  trust,  even  had  there  been  time  or  convenience  for 
exacting  it.  This  thou  hast  heard  ?" 

"  Most  truly,  sir,"  said  Edwards,  or  rather  Effingham, 
as  we  must  now  call  him. 

"  We  differed  in  politics.  If  the  cause  of  this  country 
was  successful,  the  trust  was  sacred  with  me,  for  none 
knew  of  thy  father's  interest.  If  the  crown  still  held  its 
sway,  it  would  be  easy  to  restore  the  property  of  so  loyai 
a  subject  as  Colonel  Effingham.  Is  not  this  plain  ?" 

"The  premises  are  good,  sir," continued  the  youth, with 
the  same  incredulous  look  as  before. 

"  Listen — listen,  poy,"  said  the  German.  "  Dere  is  not 
a  hair  as  of  ter  rogue  in  ter  het  of  Herr  Tchooge." 

"We  all  know  the  issue  of  the  struggle,"  continued 
Marmaduke,  disregarding  both.  "Thy  grandfather  was 
left  in  Connecticut,  regularly  supplied  by  thy  father  with 
the  means  of  such  a  subsistence  as  suited  his  wants.  This 
I  well  knew,  though  I  never  had  intercourse  with  him, 
even  in  our  happiest  days.  Thy  father  retired  with  the 
troops  to  prosecute  his  claims  on  England.  At  all  events, 
his  losses  must  be  great,  for  his  real  estates  were  sold,  and 
I  became  the  lawful  purchaser.  It  was  not  unnatural  to 
wish  that  he  might  have  no  bar  to  its  just  recovery.'' 

"'There  was  none,  but  the  difficulty  of  providing  foi  so 
many  claimants." 

"  But  there  would  have  been  one,  and  an  insuperable 
one,  and  I  announced  to  the  world  that  I  held  these  es- 
tates, multiplied,  by  the  times  and  my  industry,  a  hundred- 
fold in  value,  only  as  his  trustee.  Thou  knowest  that  I 
supplied  him  with  considerable  sums,  immediately  after* 
the  war." 


THE  PIONEERS.  409 


"You  did,  until- 


"  My  letters  were  returned  unopened.  Thy  father  had 
much  of  thy  own  spirit,  Oliver  ;  he  was  sometimes  hasty 
and  rash."  The  Judge  continued,  in  a  self-condemning 
manner  :  "  Perhaps  my  fault  lies  the  other  way  :  I  may 
possibly  look  too  far  ahead,  and  calculate  too  deeply.  It 
certainly  was  a  severe  trial  to  allow  the  man  whom  I  most 
loved,  to  think  ill  of  me  for  seven  years,  in  order  that  he 
might  honestly  apply  for  his  just  remunerations.  But,  had 
he  opened  my  last  letters,  thou  wouldst  have  learned  the 
whole  truth.  '  Those  I  sent  him  to  England,  by  what  my 
agent  writes  me,  he  did  read.  He  died,  Oliver,  knowing  all. 
He  died,  my  friend,  and  I  thought  thou  hadst  died  with  him." 

"  Our  poverty  would  not  permit  us  to  pay  for  two  pas- 
sages," said  the  youth,  with  the  extraordinary  emotion  with 
which  he  ever  alluded  to  the  degraded  state  of  his  family ; 
"  I  was  left  in  the  Province  to  wait  for  his  return,  and, 
when  the  sad  news  of  his  loss  reached  me,  I  was  nearly 
penniless." 

"And  what  didst  thou,  boy?"  asked  Marmaduke  in  a 
faltering  voice. 

"  I  took  my  passage  here  in  search  of  my  grandfather  ; 
for  I  well  knew  that  his  resources  were  gone,  with  the  half- 
pay  of  my  father.  On  reaching  his  abode,  I  learned  that 
he  had  left  it  in  secret  ;  though  the  reluctant  hireling,  who 
had  deserted  him  in  his  poverty,  owned  to  my  urgent  en- 
treaties, that  he  believed  he  had  been  carried  away  by  an 
old  man  who  had  formerly  been  his  servant.  I  knew  at 
once  it  was  Natty,  for  my  father  often " 

"Was  Natty  a  servant  of  thy  grandfather  ?"  exclaimed 
the  Judge. 

"  Of  that  too  were  you  ignorant  ? "  said  the  youth  in 
evident  surprise. 

"  How  should  I  know  it  ?  I  never  met  the  major,  nor 
was  the  name  of  Bumppo  ever  mentioned  to  me.  I  knew 
him  only  as  a  man  of  the  wroods,  and  one  who  lived  by  hunt- 
ing. Such  men  are  too  common  to  excite  surprise." 

"  He  was  reared  in  the  family  of  my  grandfather  ;  served 
him  for  many  years  during  their  campaigns  at  the  West, 
where  he  became  attached  to  the  woods  ;  and  he  was  left 
here  as  a  kind  of  locum  tenenson  the  lands  that  old  Mohegan 
(whose  life  my  grandfather  once  saved)  induced  the  Dela* 
wares  to  grant  to  him  when  they  admitted  him  as  an  hon 
orary  member  of  their  tribe." 


410  THE  PIONEERS. 

"This,  then,  is  thy  Indian  blood?" 

"I  have  no  other,"  said  Edwards,  smiling — "Majot 
Effingham  was  adopted  as  the  son  of  Mohegan,  who  a*, 
that  time  was  the  greatest  man  in  his  nation  ;  and  my 
father,  who  visited  those  people  when  a  boy,  received  the 
name  of  the  Eagle  from  them,  on  account  of  the  shape  of 
his  face,  as  I  understand.  They  have  extended  his  title  to 
/me.  I  have  no  other  Indian  blood  or  breeding  ;  though  I 
have  seen  the  hour,  Judge  Temple,  when  I  could  wish 
that  such  had  been  my  lineage  and  education." 

"Proceed  with  thy  tale,"  said  Marmaduke. 

"  I  have  but  little  more  to  say,  sir.  I  followed  to  the 
lake  where  I  had  so  often  been  told  that  Natty  dwelt,  and 
found  him  maintaining  his  old  master  in  secret  ;  for  even 
he  could  not  bear  to  exhibit  to  the  world,  in  his  poverty 
and  dotage,  a  man  whom  a  whole  people  once  looked  up 
to  with  respect." 

"  And  what  did  you  ?  " 

"  What  did  I !  I  spent  my  last  money  in  purchasing  a 
rifle,  clad  myself  in  a  coarse  garb,  and  learned  to  be  a 
hunter  by  the  side  of  Leather-Stocking.  You  know  the 
rest,  Judge  Temple." 

"  Ant  vere  vast  old  Fritz  Hartmann  ?"  said  the  German, 
reproachfully  ;  "  didst  never  hear  a  name  as  of  olt  Fritz 
Hartmann  from  ter  mout  of  ter  fader,  lat  ? " 

"  I  may  have  been  mistaken,  gentlemen,"  returned  the 
youth  ;  "  but  I  had  pride,  and  could  not  submit  to  such  an 
exposure  as  this  day  even  has  reluctantly  brought  to  light. 
I  had  plans  that  might  have  been  visionary  ;  but,  should 
my  parent  survive  till  autumn,  I  purposed  taking  him  with 
me  to  the  city,  where  we  have  distant  relatives,  who  must 
have  learned  to  forget  the  Tory  by  this  time.  He  decays 
rapidly,"  he  continued,  mournfully,  "and  must  soon  lie  by 
the  side  of  old  Mohegan." 

The  air  being  pure,  and  the  day  fine,  the  party  con- 
tinued conversing  on  the  rock,  until  the  wheels  of  Judge 
Temple's  carriage  were  heard  clattering  up  the  side  of  the 
mountain,  during  which  time  the  conversation  was  main- 
tained  with  deep  interest,  each  moment  clearing  up  some 
doubtful  action,  and  lessening  the  antipathy  of  the  youth 
to  Marmaduke.  He  no  longer  objected  to  the  removal  of 
his  grandfather,  wrho  displayed  a  childish  pleasure  when  he 
found  himself  seated  once  more  in  a  carriage.  When 
placed  in  the  a,mple  hall  of  the  mansion-house,  the  eyes  oi 


THE  PIONEERS.  411 

the  aged  veteran  turned  slowly  to  the  objects  in  the  apart- 
ment, and  a  look  like  the  dawn  of  intellect  would,  for 
moments,  flit  across  his  features,  when  he  invariably 
offered  some  useless  courtesies  to  those  near  him,  wander- 
ing painfully  in  his  subjects.  The  exercise  and  the  change 
soon  produced  an  exhaustion  that  caused  them  to  remove 
him  to  his  bed,  where  he  lay  for  hours,  evidently  sensible 
of  the  change  in  his  comforts,  and  exhibiting  that  mortify- 
ing picture  of  human  nature,  which  too  plainly  shows  that 
the  propensities  of  the  animal  continue  even  after  the 
nobler  part  of  the  creature  appears  to  have  vanished. 

Until  his  parent  was  placed  comfortably  in  bed,  with 
Natty  seated  at  his  side,  Effingham  did  not  quit  him. 
He  then  obeyed  a  summons  to  the  library  of  the  Judge, 
where  he  found  the  latter,  with  Major  Hartmann,  waiting 
for  him. 

"  Read  this  paper,  Oliver,"  said  Marmaduke  to  him,  as 
he  entered,  "  and  thou  wyilt  find  that,  so  far  from  intending 
thy  family  wrong  during  life,  it  has  been  my  care  to  see 
that  justice  should  be  done  at  even  a  later  day." 

The  youth  took  the  paper,  which  his  first  glance  told 
him  was  the  will  of  the  Judge.  Hurried  and  agitated  as 
he  wras,  he  discovered  that  the  date  corresponded  with  the 
time  of  the  unusual  depression  of  Marmaduke.  As  he 
proceeded,  his  eyes  began  to  moisten,  and  the  hand  which 
held  the  instrument  shook  violently. 

The  will  commenced  with  the  usual  forms,  spun  out  by 
the  ingenuity  of  Mr.  Van  Der  School  ;  but,  after  this  sub- 
ject was  fairly  exhausted,  the  pen  of  Marmaduke  became 
plainly  visible.  In  clear,  distinct, .  manly,  and  even  elo- 
quent language,  he  recounted  his  obligations  to  Colonel 
Effingham,  the  nature  of  their  connection,  and  the  circum- 
stances in  which  they  separated.  He  then  proceeded  to 
relate  the  motives  of  his  silence,  mentioning,  however, 
large  sums  that  he  had  forwarded  to  his  friend,  which  had 
been  returned  with  the  letters  unopened.  After  this,  he 
spoke  of  his  search  for  the  grandfather  who  unaccount- 
ably disappeared,  and  his  fears  that  the  direct  heir -of  the 
trust  was  buried  in  the  ocean  with  his  father. 

After,  in  short,  recounting  in  a  clear  narrative,  the  events 
which  our  readers  must  now  be  able  to  connect,  he  pro- 
ceeded to  make  a  fair  and  exact  statement  of  the  sums  left 
in  his  care  by  Colonel  Effingham.  A  devise  of  his  whole 
estate  to  certain  responsible  trustees  followed  ;  to  hold  the 


412  THE  PIONEERS. 

same  for  the  benefit,  in  equal  moieties,  of  his  daughter, 
on  one  part,  and  of  Oliver  Effingham,  formerly  a  major  in 
the  army  of  Great  Britain,  and  of  his  son  Edward  Effing- 
ham,  and  of  his  son  Edward  Oliver  Effingham,  or  to  the 
survivor  of  them,  and  the  descendants  of  such  survivor,  for- 
ever, on  the  other  part.  The  trust  was  to  endure  until  1810, 
when,  if  no  person  appeared,  or  could  be  found,  after 
sufficient  notice  to  claim  the  moiety  so  devised,  then  a  cer- 
tain sum,  calculating  the  principal  and  interest  of  his  debt 
to  Colonel  Effingham,  was  to  be  paid  to  the  heirs-at-law 
of  the  Effingham  family,  and  the  bulk  of  his  estate  was  to 
be  conveyed  in  fee  to  his  daughter,  or  her  heirs. 

The  tears  fell  from  the  eyes  of  the  young  man,  as  he 
read  this  undeniable  testimony  of  the  good  faith  of  Marma- 
duke,  and  his  bewildered  gaze  was  still  fastened  on  the 
paper,  when  a  voice,  that  thrilled  on  every  nerve,  spoke 
near  him,  saying  : 

"  Do  you  yet  doubt  us,  Oliver  ?  " 

"I  have  never  doubted  you  /"  cried  the  youth,  recover- 
ing his  recollection  and  his  voice,  as  he  sprang  to  seize  the 
hand  of  Elizabeth  ;  "  no,  not  one  moment  has  my  faith  in 
you  wavered." 

"And  my  father —  -" 

"  God  bless  him  ! " 

"  I  thank  thee,  my  son,"  said  the  Judge,  exchanging  a 
warm  pressure  of  the  hand  with  the  youth  ;  "  but  we  have 
both  erred  :  thou  hast  been  too  hasty,  and  I  have  been  too 
slow.  One-half  cf  my  estates  shall  be  thine  as  soon  as  they 
can  be  conveyed  to  thee  ;  and,  if  what  my  suspicions  tell 
me  be  true,  I  suppose  the  other  must  follow  speedily."  He 
took  the  hand  which  he  held,  and  united  it  with  that  of 
his  daughter,  and  motioned  toward' the  door  to  the  major. 

"  I  telt  you  vat,  gal ! "  said  the  old  German,  good-hu- 
moredly.;  "if  I  vast  as  I  vast  ven  I  servit  mit  his  grand- 
fader  on  ter  lakes,  ter  lazy  tog  shouldn't  vin  ter  prize  as 
for  nottinV 

"Come,  come,  old  Fritz,"  said  the  Judge;  "you  are 
seventy,  not  seventeen  ;  Richard  waits  for  you  with  a  bowl 
of  eggnog,  in  the  hall." 

"  Richart !  ter  duyvel !  "  exclaimed  the  other,  hastening 
out  of  the  room  ;  "  he  makes  ter  nog  ast  for  ter  horse.  I 
vilt  show  ter  sheriff  mit  my  own  hants  !  Ter  duyvel !  I 
pelieve  he  sweetens  mit  ter  Yankee  melasses  ! " 

Marmaduke  smiled  and  nodded  affectionately  at  the  young 


THE  PIONEERS.  413 

couple,  and  closed  the  door  after  them.  If  any  of  our 
readers  expect  that  we  are  going  to  open  it  again,  for  their 
gratification,  they  are  mistaken. 

The  tete-a-tete  continued  for  a  very  unreasonable  time — 
how  long  we  shall  not  say  ;  but  it  was  ended  by  six  o'clock 
in  the  evening,  for  at  that  hour  Monsieur  Le  Quoi  made 
his  appearance  agreeably  to  the  appointment  of  the  preced- 
ing day,  and  claimed  the  ear  of  Miss  Temple.  He  was  ad- 
mitted ;  when  he  made  an  offer  of  his  hand,  with  much 
suavity,  together  with  his  "  amis  beeg  and  leet',  his  pere, 
his  mere,  and  his  sucreboosh."  Elizabeth  might,  possibly, 
have  previously  entered  into  some  embarrassing  and  bind- 
ing engagements  with  Oliver,  for  she  declined  the  tender 
of  all,  in  terms  as  polite,  though  perhaps  a  little  more  de- 
cided, than  those  in  which  they  were  made. 

The  Frenchman  soon  joined  the  German  and  the  sheriff 
in  the  hall,  who  compelled  him  to  take  a  seat  with  them  at 
the  table,  where,  by  the  aid  of  punch,  wine,  and  eggnog, 
they  soon  extracted  from  the  complaisant  Monsieur  Le 
Quoi  the  nature  of  his  visit.  It  was  evident  that  he  had 
made  the  offer,  as  a  duty  which  a  well-bred  man  owed  to  a 
lady  in  such  a  retired  place,  before  he  had  left  the  country, 
and  that  his  feelings  were  but  very  little,  if  at  all,  interested 
in  the  matter.  After  a  few  potations,  the  waggish  pair 
persuaded  the  exhilarated  Frenchman  that  there  was  an 
inexcusable  partiality  in  offering  to  one  lady,  and  not  ex- 
tending a  similar  courtesy  to  another.  Consequently,  about 
nine,  Monsieur  Le  Quoi  sallied  forth  to  the  rectory,  on  a 
similar  mission  to  Miss  Grant,  which  proved  as  successful 
as  his  first  effort  in  love. 

When  he  returned  to  the  mansion-house,  at  ten,  Richard 
and  the  major  were  still  seated  at  the  table.  They  at^ 
tempted  to  persuade  the  Gaul,  as  the  sheriff  called  him,  that 
he  should  next  try  Remarkable  Pettibone.  But,  though 
stimulated  by  mental  excitement  and  wine,  two  hours  of 
abstruse  logic  were  thrown  away  on  this  subject ;  for  he 
declined  their  advice,  with  a  pertinacity  truly  astonishing 
in  so  polite  a  man. 

When  Benjamin  lighted  Monsieur  Le  Quoi  from  the 
door,  he  said,  at  parting  : 

"  If-so-be,  Mounsheer,  you'd  run  alongside  Mistress 
Pettybones,  as  the  Squire  Dickens  was  bidding  ye,  'tis  my 
notion  you'd  have  been  grappled  ;  in  which  case,  d'ye  see, 
you  mought  have  been  troubled  in  swinging  clear  ag'in  in 


4H  *'**&  PIONEERS. 

a  handsome  manner  ;  for  thof  Miss  'Lizzy  and  the  parson'? 
young  'un  be  tidy  little  vessels,  that  shoot  by  a  body  on  a 
wind,  Mistress  Remarkable  is  sum'matof  a  galliot  fashion  ; 
when  you  once  takes  'em  in  tow,  they  doesn't  like  to  be 
cast  off  ag'in." 


CHAPTER  XLI. 

"  Yes,  sweep  ye  on  ! — We  will  not  leave, 
For  them  who  triumph  those  who  grieve. 

With  that  armada  gay 
Be  laughter  loud,  and  jocund  shout — 
— But  with  that  skiff 
Abides  the  minstrel  tale." — LORD  OF  THE  ISLES. 

The  events  of  our  tale  carry  us  through  the  summer ; 
and  after  making  nearly  the  circle  of  the  year,  we  must 
conclude  our  labors  in  the  delightful  month  of  October. 
Many  important  incidents  had,  however,  occurred  in  the 
intervening  period  ;  a  few  of  which  it  may  be  necessary  to 
recount. 

The  two  principal  were  the  marriage  of  Oliver  and 
Elizabeth,  and  the  death  of  Major  Effingham.  They  both 
took  place  early  in  September ;  and  the  former  preceded 
the  latter  only  a  few  days.  Tlie  old  man  passed  away  like 
the  last  glimmering  of  a  taper ;  and,  though  his  death 
cast  a  melancholy  over  the  family,  grief  could  not  follow 
such  an  end. 

One  of  the  chief  concerns  of  Marmaduke  was  to  recon- 
cile the  even  conduct  of  a  magistrate  with  the  course  that 
his  feelings  dictated  to  the  criminals.  The  day  succeeding 
the  discovery  at  the  cave,  however,  Natty  and  Benjamin 
re-entered  the  jail  peaceably,  where  they  continued,  well 
fed  and  comfortable,  until  the  return  of  an  express  to 
Albany,  who  brought  the  governor's  pardon  to  the  Leather- 
Stocking.  In  the  mean  time,  proper  means  were  em- 
ployed to  satisfy  Hiram  for  the  assaults  on  his  person  ; 
and  on  the  same  day  the  two  comrades  issued  together  into 
society  again,  with  their  characters  not  ^at  all  affected  by 
the  imprisonment. 

Mr.  Doolittle  began  to  discover  that  neither  architecture 
nor  his  law  was  quite  suitable  to  the  growing  wealth  and 
intelligence  of  the  settlement ;  and  after  exacting  the  last 
cent  that  was  attainable  in  his  compromise,  to  use  the 


THE  PIONEERS.  4t$ 

language  of  the  country,  he  "pulled  up  stakes,"  and  pro- 
ceded  farther  west,  scattering  his  professional  science  and 
legal  learning  through  the  land  ;  vestiges  of  both  of  which 
are  to  be  discovered  there  even  to  the  present  hour. 

Poor  Jotham,  whose  life  paid  the  forfeiture  of  his  folly, 
acknowledged,  before  he  died,  that  his  reasons  for  believ- 
ing in  a  m.ine  were  extracted  from  the  lips  of  a  sibyl,  who, 
by  looking  in  a  magic  glass,  was  enabled  to  discover  the 
hidden  treasures  of  the  earth.  Such  superstition  was 
frequent  in  the  new  settlements ;  and,  after  the  first  sur- 
prise was  over,  the  better  part  of  the  community  forgot 
the  subject.  But,  at  the  same  time  that  it  removed  from 
the  breast  of  Richard  a  lingering  suspicion  of  the  acts  of 
the  three  hunters,  it  conveyed  a  mortifying  lesson  to  him, 
which  brought  many  quiet  hours,  in  future,  to  his  cousin 
Marmaduke.  It  may  be  remembered  that  the  sheriff  con* 
fidently  pronounced  this  to  be  no  "  visionary  "  scheme, 
and  that  word  was  enough  to  shut  his  lips,  at  any  tim& 
within  the  next  ten  years. 

Monsieur  Le  Quoi,  who  has  been  introduced  to  our 
readers  because  no  picture  of  that  country  would  be  faith- 
ful without  some  such  character,  found  the  island  of  Mar- 
tinique, and  his  "  sucreboosh,"  in  possession  of  the  English ; 
but  Marmaduke  and  his  family  were  much  gratified  in 
soon  hearing  that  he  had  returned  to  his  bureau,  in  Paris  j 
where  he  afterward  issued  yearly  bulletins  of  his  happi- 
ness, and  of  his  gratitude  to  his  friends  in  America. 

With  this  brief  explanation,  we  must  return  to  our 
narrative,  Let  the  American  reader  imagine  one  of  our 
mildest  October  mornings,  when  the  sun  seems  a  ball  of 
silvery  fire,  and  the  elasticity  of  the  air  is  felt  while  it  is 
inhaled,  imparting  vigor  and  life  to  the  whole  system  ;  the 
weather,  neither  too  warm  nor  too  cold,  but  of  that  happy 
temperature  which  stirs  the  blood,  without  bringing  the 
lassitude  of  spring.  It  was  on  such  a  morning,  about  the 
middle  of  the  month,  that  Oliver  entered  the  hall  where 
Elizabeth  was  issuing  her  usual  orders  for  the  day,  and 
requesting  her  to  join  him  in  a  short  excursion  to  the 
lakeside.  The  tender  melancholy  in  the  manner  of  her 
husband  caught  the  attention  of  Elizabeth,  who  instantly 
abandoned  her  concerns,  threw  a  light  shawl  across  her 
shoulders,  and,  concealing  her  raven  hair  under  a  gypsy, 
she  took  his  arm,  and  submitted  herself,  without  a  ques- 
tion, to  his  guidance.  They  crossed  the  bridge,  and  had 


416  THE  PIONEERS. 

turned  from  the  highway,  along  the  margin  of  the  lake, 
before  a*word  was  exchanged.  Elizabeth  well  knew,  by 
the  direction,  the  object  of  the  walk,  and  respected  the 
feelings  of  her  companion  too  much  to  indulge  in  untimely 
conversation.  But  when  they  gained  the  open  fields,  and 
her  eye  roamed  over  the  placid  lake,  covered  with  wild- 
fowl already  journeying  from  the  great  northern  waters  to 
seek  a  warmer  sun,  but  lingering  to  play  in  the  limpid 
sheet  of  the  Otsego,  and  to  the  sides  of  the  mountain, 
which  were  gay  with  the  thousand  dyes  of  autumn,  as  if  to 
grace  their  bridal,  the  swelling  heart  of  the  young  wife 
burst  out  in  speech. 

"This  is  not  a  time  for  silence,  Oliver!"  she  said,  cling- 
ing more  fondly  to  his  arm  ;  "everything  in  Nature  seems 
to  speak  the  praises  of  the  Creator ;  why  should  we,  who 
have  so  much  to  be  grateful  for,  be  silent  ? " 

"Speak  on  !"  said  her  husband,  smiling ;  "I  love  the 
sounds  of  your  voice.  You  must  anticipate  our  errand 
hither :  I  have  told  you  my  plans :  how  do  you  like 
them  ? " 

"I  must  first  see  them,"  returned  his  Avife.  "But  I 
have  had  my  plans,  too ;  it  is  time  I  should  begin  to  di- 
vulge them." 

* '  You  !  It  is  something  for  the  comfort  of  my  old  friend, 
Natty,  I  know." 

"Certainly  of  Natty  ;  but  we  have  other  friends  besides 
the  Leather-Stocking  to  serve.  Do  you  forget  Louisa  and 
her  father  ? " 

"  No,  surely ;  have  I  not  given  one  of  the  best  farms  in 
the  county  to  the  good  divine  ?  As  for  Louisa,  I  should 
wish  you  to  keep  her  always  near  us." 

"You  do!"  said  Elizabeth,  slightly  compressing  her 
lips  ;  "  but  poor  Louisa  may  have  other  views  for  herself ; 
she  may  wish  to  follow  my  example,  and  marry." 

"I  don't  think  it,"  said  Effingham,  musing  a  moment; 
"I  really  don't  know  any  one  hereabouts  good  enough  for 
her." 

"  Perhaps  not  here,  but  there  are  other  places  besides 
Templeton,  and  other  churches  besides  '  New  St.  Paul's.' " 

"  Churches,  Elizabeth !  you  would  not  wish  to  lose  Mr. 
Grant,  surely!  Though  simple,  he  is  an  excellent  man. 
I  shall  never  find  another  who  has  half  the  veneration  for 
my  orthodoxy.  You  would  humble  rxie  from  a  saint  to  a 
very  common  sinner." 


PIONEERS.  417 

•'  It  must  be  crone,  sir,"  returned  the  lady,  with  a  half- 
concealed  smile,  '•  though  it  degrades  you  from  an  angel 
to  a  man." 

"  But  you  forget  the  farm  ?" 

"  He  can  lease  it,  as  others  do.  Besides,  would  you 
have  a  clergyman  toil  in  the  fields  ?  " 

"Where  can  he  go  ?     You  forget  Louisa." 

"  No,  I  do  not  forget  Louisa,"  said  Elizabeth,  again 
compressing  her  beautiful  lips.  "  You  know,  Effingham, 
that  my  father  has  told  you  that  I  ruled  him,  and  that  I 
should  rule  you.  I  am  now  about  to  exert  my  power." 

"Anything,  anything,  dear  Elizabeth,  but  not  at  the  ex- 
pense of  us  all :  not  at  the  expense  of  your  friend." 

"  How  do  you  know,  sir,  that  it  will  be  so  much  at  the 
expense  of  my  friend  ?"  said  the  lady,  fixing  her  eyes  with 
a  searching  look  on  his  countenance,  where  they  met  only 
the  unsuspecting  expression  of  manly  regret. 

'*  How  do  I  know  it  ?  why,  it  is  natural  that  she  should 
regret  us." 

"  It  is  our  duty  to  struggle  with  our  natural  feelings," 
returned  the  lady ;  "  and  there  is  but  little  cause  to  fear 
that  such  a  spirit  as  Louisa's  will  not  eft'ect  it." 

"  But  what  is  your  plan  ?" 

"  Listen,  arid  you  shall  know.  My  father  has  procured 
a  call  for  Mr.  Grant,  to  one  of  the  towns  on  the  Hudson, 
where  he  can  live  more  at  his  ease  than  in  journeying 
through  these  woods  ;  where  he  can  spend  the  evening  of 
his  life  in  comfort  and  quiet ;  and  where  his  daughter 
may  meet  with  such  society,  and  form  such  a  connection, 
as  may  be  proper  for  one  of  her  years  and  character." 

"Bess!  you  amaze  me!  I  did  not  think  you  had  been 
such  a  manager  !  " 

"  Oh  !  I  manage  more  deeply  than  you  imagine,  sir," 
said  the  wife,  archly  smiling  again;  "but  it  is  my  will? 
and  it  is  your  duty  to  submit — for  a  time  at  least." 

Effingham  laughed  ;  but,  as  they  approached  the  end  of 
their  walk,  the  subject  was  changed  by  common  con- 
sent. 

The  place  at  which  they  arrived  was  the  little  spot  of 
level  ground  wheTe  the  cabin  of  the  Leather-Stocking  had 
so  long  stood.  Elizabeth  found  it  entirely  cleared  of  rub- 
bish, and  beautifully  laid  down  in  turf,  by  the  removal  of 
sods,  which,  in  common  with  the  surrounding  country,  had 
grown  gay,  under  the  influence  of  profuse  showers,  as  if  a 

27 


4iS  THE  PIONEERS. 

second  spring  had  passed  over  the  land.  This  little  place 
was  surrounded  by  a  circle  of  mason4  work,  and  they  en- 
tered by  a  small  gate,  near  which,  to  the  surprise  of  both, 
the  rifle  of  Natty  was  leaning  against  the  wall.  Hector 
and  the  slut  reposed  on  the  grass  by  its  side,  as  if  conscious 
that,  however  altered,  they  were  lying  on  the  ground,  and 
were  surrounded  by  objects  with  which  they  were  familiar. 
The  hunter  himself  was  stretched  on  the  earth,  before  a 
head-stone  of  white  marble,  pushing  aside  with  his  fingers 
the  long  grass  that  had  already  sprung  up  from  the  luxu- 
riant soil  around  its  base,  apparently  to  lay  bare  the  in- 
scription. By  the  side  of  this  stone,  which  was  a  simple 
slab  at  the  head  of  a  grave,  stood  a  rich  monument,  dec- 
orated with  an  urn,  and  ornamented  with  the  chisel. 

Oliver  and  Elizabeth  approached  the  graves  with  a  light 
tread,  unheard  by  the  old  hunter,  whose  sunburnt  face  was 
working,  and  whose  eyes  twinkled  as  if  something  impeded 
their  vision.  After  some  little  time  Natty  raised  himself 
slowly  from  the  ground,  and  said  aloud  : 

".Well,  well — I'm  bold  to  say  it's  all  right!  There's 
something  that  I  suppose  is  reading  ;  but  I  can't  make 
anything  of  it  ;  though  the  pipe  and  the  tomahawk,  and 
the  moccasins,  be  pretty  well — pretty  well,  for  a  man  that, 
I  dares  to  say,  never  seed  'ither  of  the  things.  Ah's  me  ! 
there  they  lie,  side  by  side,  happy  enough  !  Who  will 
there  be  to  put  me  in  the  'arth  when  my  time  comes?" 

"When  that  unfortunate  hour  arrives,  Natty,  friends 
shall  not  be  wanting  to  perform  the  last  offices  for  you," 
said  Oliver,  a  little  touched  at  the  hunter's  soliloquy. 

The  old  man  turned,  without  manifesting  surprise,  for 
he  had  got  the  Indian  habits  in  this  particular,  and,  run- 
ning his  hand  under  the  bottom  of  his  nose,  seemed  to  wipe 
away  his  sorrow  with  the  action. 

"  You've  come  out  to  see  the  graves,  children,  have  ye  ?  " 
he  said ;  "  well,  well,  they're  wholesome  sights  to  young 
as  well  as  old." 

*'  I  hope  they  are  fitted  to  your  liking,"  said  Effingham  ; 
"  no  one  has  a  better  right  than  yourself  to  be  consulted 
in  the  matter." 

"Why,  seeing  that  I  an't  used  to  fine  graves,"  re- 
turned the  old  man,  "it  is  but  little  matter  consarning  my 
taste.  Ye  laid  the  major's  head  to  the  west,  and  Mohegan's 
to  the  east,  did  ye,  lad  7 " 

"  At  your  request  it  was  done." 


THE  PIONEERS.  419 

"It's  so  best,"  said  the  hunter  ;  "  they  thought  they  had 
to  journey  different  ways,  children  ;  though  there  is  One 
greater  than  all,  who'll  bring  the  just  together,  at  His  own 
time,  and  who'll  whiten  the  skin  of  a  blackamoor,  and  place 
him  on  a  footing  with  princes." 

"  There  is  but  little  reason  to  doubt  that,"  said  Elizabeth, 
whose  decided  tones  were  changed  to  a  soft,  melancholy 
voice  ;  "I  trust  we  shall  all  meet  again,  and  be  happy  to- 
gether." 

"  Shall  we,  child,  §hall  we  ?  "  exclaimed  the  hunter,  with 
unusual  fervor,  "  there's  comfort  in  that  thought  too.  But 
before  I  go,  I  should  like  to  know  what  'tis  you  tell  these 
people,  that  be  flocking  into  the  country  like  pigeons  in 
the  spring,  of  the  old  Delaware,  and  of  the  bravest  white 
man  that  ever  trod  the  hills." 

Effmgham  and  Elizabeth  were  surprised  at  the  manner 
of  the  Leather-Stocking,  which  was  unusually  impressive 
and  solemn  ;  but,  attributing  it  to  the  scene,  the  young 
man  turned  to  the  monument,  and  read  aloud  : 

"  '  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Oliver  Efifingham,  Esquire, 
formally  a  Major  in  his  B.  Majesty's  6oth  Foot  ;  a  soldier 
of  tried  valor  ;•  a  subject  of  chivalrous  loyalty  ;  and  a  man 
of  honesty.  To  these  virtues  he  added  the  graces  of  a 
Christian.  The  morning  of  his  life  was  spent  in  honor, 
wealth,  and  power  ;  but  its  evening  was  obscured  by  pov- 
erty, neglect,  and  disease,  which  were  alleviated  only  by 
the  tender  care  of  his  old,  faithful,  and  upright  friend  and 
attendant,  Nathaniel  Bumppo.  His  descendants  rear  this 
stone  to  the  virtues  of  the  master,  and  to  the  enduring 
gratitude  of  the  servant.'  " 

The  Leather-Stocking  started  at  the  sound  of  his  own 
name,  and  a  smile  of  joy  illuminated  his  wrinkled  features, 
as  he  said  : 

"  And  did  ye  say  it,  lad  ?  have  you  then  got  the  old  man's 
name  cut  in  the  stone,  by  the  side  of  his  master's  ?  God 
bless  ye,  children  !  'twas  a  kind  thought,  and  kindness  goes 
to  the  heart  as  life  shortens." 

Elizabeth  turned  her  back  to  the  speakers.  Effingham 
made  a  fruitless  effort  before  he  succeeded  in  saying  : 

%"  It  is  there  cut  in  plain  marble  ;  but  it  should  have  been 
written  in  letters  of  gold  !  " 

"  Show  me  the  name,  boy,"  said  Natty,  with  simple  eager- 
ness ;  "let  me  see  my  own  name  placed  in  such  honor. 
Tis  a  gin'rous  gift  to  a  man  who  leaves  none  of  his  name 


420  THE  PIONEERS. 

and  family  behind  him  in  a  country  where  he  has  tarried 
so  long." 

Effingham  guided  his  finger  to  the  spot,  and  Natty  fol- 
lowed the  windings  of  the  letters  to  the  end  with  deep  in- 
terest, when  he  raised  himself  from  the  tomb,  and  said  : 

"  1  suppose  it's  all  right;  and  it's  kindly  thought,  and 
kindly  done  !  But  what  have  ye  put  over  the  red-skin  ? ' 

"  You  shall  hear  : 

"  '  This  stone  is  raised  to  the  memory  of  an  Indian  Chief, 
of  the  Delaware  tribe,  who  was  known  by  the  several  names 
of  John  Mohegan  ;  Mohican '  " 

"  Mo-hee-can,  lad,  they  call  theirselves  !  'hecan." 

"  '  Mohican  ;  and  Chingagook '  " 

"  'Gach,  boy  ;  'gach-gook  ;  Chingachgook,  which  inter- 
preted, means  Big-sarpent.  The  name  should  be  set  down 
right,  for  an  Indian's  name  has  always  some  meaning  in  it." 

"  I  will  see  it  altered.  '  He  was  the  last  of  his  people  who 
continued  to  inhabit  this  country  ;  and  it  may  be  said  of 
him  that  his  faults  were  those  of  an  Indian,  and  his  virtues 
those  of  a  man.'  " 

"  You  never  said  truer  word,  Mr.  Oliver ;  ah's  me  !  if 
you  had  know'd  him  as  I  did,  in  his  prime,  in  that  very 
battle  where  the  old  gentleman,  who  sleeps  by  his  side, 
saved  his  life,  when  them  thieves,  the  Iroquois,  had  him  at 
the  stake,  you'd  have  said  all  that,  and  more  too.  I  cut 
the  thongs  with  this  very  hand,  and  gave  him  my  own 
tomahawk  and  knife,  seeing  that  the  rifle  was  always  my 
fav'rite  weapon.  He  did  lay  about  him  like  a  man  !  I  met 
him  as  I  was  coming  home  from  the  trail,  with  eleven 
Mingo  scalps  on  his  pole.  You  needn't  shudder,  Madam 
Effingham,  for  they  was  all  from  shaved  heads  and  war- 
riors. When  I  look  about  me,  at  these  hills,  where  I  used 
to  could  count  sometimes  twenty  smokes,  curling  over  the 
tree-tops,  from  the  Delaware  camps,  it  raises  mournful 
thoughts,  to  think  that  not  a  red-skin  is  left  of  them  all ; 
unless  it  be  a  drunken  vagabond  from  the  Oneidas,  or  them 
Yankee  Indians,  who,  they  say,  be  moving  up  from  the  sea- 
shore ;  and  who  belong  to  none  of  God's  creatures,  to  my 
seeming,  being,  as  it  were,  neither  fish  nor  flesh — neithei 
white  man  nor  savage.  Well,  well !  the  time  has  come  at 
last,  and"  I  must  go " 

" Go  ! "  echoed  Edwards,  "whither  do  you  go  ?" 

The  Leather-Stocking,  who  had  imbibed,  unconsciously, 
many  of  the  Indian  qualities,  though  he  always  thought 


THE  PIONEERS.  421 

of  himself  as  of  a  civilized  being,  compared  with  e\en  the 
Dehuvares,  averted  his  face  to  conceal  the  workings  of  his 
muscles,  as  he  stooped  to  lift  a  large  pack  from  behind  the 
tomb,  which  he  placed  deliberately  on  his  shoulders. 

"  Go  !"  exclaimed  Elizabeth,  approaching  him  with  a 
hurried  step  ;  "  you  should  not  venture  so  far  in  the  woods 
alone,  at  your  time  of  life,  Natty  ;  indeed,  it  is  imprudent. 
He  is  bent,  Effingham,  on  some  distant  hunting." 

"  What  Mrs.  Effingham  tells  you  is  true,  Leather-Stock- 
ing," said  Edwards  ;  "  there  can  be  no  necessity  for  your 
submitting  to  such  hardships  now.  So  throw  aside  your 
pack,  and  confine  your  hunt  to  the  mountains  near  us,  if 
you  will  go." 

"  Hardship  !  'tis  a  pleasure,  children,  and  the  greatest 
that  is  left  me  on  this  side  the  grave." 

"  No,  no  ;  you  shall  not  go  to  such  a  distance,"  cried 
Elizabeth,  laying  her  white  hand  on  his  deerskin  pack — 
"  I  am  right !  I  feel  his  camp-kettle,  and  a  canister  of 
powder !  He  must  not  be  suffered  to  wander  so  far  from  us, 
Oliver  ;  remember  how  suddenly  Mohegan  dropped  away." 

"  I  know'd  the  parting  would  come  hard,  children — I 
know'd  it  would  !  "  said  Natty,  "  and  so  I  got  aside  to  look 
at  the  graves  by  myself,  and  thought  if  I  left  ye  the  keep- 
sake which  the  major  gave  me,  when  we  first  parted  in  the 
woods,  ye  wouldn't  take  it  unkind,  but  would  know  that, 
let  the  old  man's  body  go  where  it  might,  his  feelings 
stayed  behind  him." 

"  This  means  something  more  than  common,"  exclaimed 
the  youth.  "  Where  is  it  Natty,  that  you  purpose  going  ?" 

The  hunter  drew  nigh  him  with  a  confident,  reasoning 
air,  as  if  what  he  had  to  say  would  silence  all  objections, 
and  replied  : 

"  Why,  lad,  they  tell  me  that  on  the  Big-lakes  there's 
the  best  of  hunting,  and  a  great  range,  without  a  white 
man  on  it,  unless  it  may  be  one  like  myself.  I'm  weary 
of  living  in  clearings,  and  where  the  hammer  is  sounding 
in  my  ears  from  sunrise  to  sundown.  And  though  I'm 
much  bound  to  ye  both,  children — I  wouldn't  say  it  if  it 
was  not  true — I  crave  to  go  into  the  woods  ag'in — I  do." 

"  Woods  !  "  echoed  Elizabeth,  trembling  with  her  feel- 
ings ;  "  do  you  not  call  these  endless  forest  woods  ? " 

"  Ah !  child,  these  be  nothing  to  a  man  that's  used  to 
the  wilderness.  I  have  took  but  little  comfort  sin'  your 
father  come  on  with  his  settlers ;  but  I  wouldn't  go  far, 


422  THE  PIONEERS. 

while  the  life  was  in  the  body  that  lies  under  the  sod  there. 
But  now  he's  gone,  and  Chingachgook  is  gone  ;  and  you 
be  both  young  and  happy.  Yes !  the  big  house  has  rung 
with  merriment  this  month  past !  And  now,  I  thought, 
was  the  time  to  get  a  little  comfort  in  the  close  of  my 
days.  Woods  !  indeed  !  I  doesn't  call  these  woods,  Madam 
Effingham,  where  I  lose  myself  every  day  of  my  life  in  the 
clearings." 

"If  there  be  anything  wanting  to  your  comfort,  name  it, 
Leather-Stocking  ;  if  it  be  attainable  it  is  yours." 

11  You  mean  all  for  the  best,  lad,  I  know  ;  and  so  does 
madam,  too  ;  but  your  ways  isn't  my  ways.  'Tis  like  the 
dead  there,  who  thought,  when  the  breath  was  in  them, 
that  one  went  east,  and  one  went  west,  to  find  their  heavens ; 
but  they'll  meet  at  last,  and  so  shall  we,  children.  Yes,  ind 
as  you've  begun,  and  we  shall  meet  in  the  land  of  the  just 
at  last." 

"  This  is  so  new !  so  unexpected  ! "  said  Elizabeth,  in 
almost  breathless  excitement  ;  "  I  had  thought  you  meant 
to  live  with  us  and  die  with  us,  Natty." 

"  Words  are  of  no  avail,"  exclaimed  her  husband  :  "  the 
habits  of  forty  years  are  not  to  be  dispossessed  by  the  ties 
of  a  day.  I  know  you  too  well  to  urge  you  further,  Natty ; 
unless  you  will  let  me  build  you  a  hut  on  one  of  the  dis- 
tant hills,  where  we  can  sometimes  see  you,  and  know  that 
you  are  comfortable." 

"  Don't  fear  for  the  Leather-Stocking,  children  ;  God 
will  see  that  his  days  be  provided  for,  and  his  ind  happy. 
I  know  you  mean  all  for  the  best,  but  our  ways  doesn't 
agree.  I  love  the  woods,  and  ye  relish  the  face  of  man  ;  I 
eat  when  hungry,  and  drink  when  a-dry;  and  ye  keep  stated 
hours  and  rules  ;  nay,  nay,  you  even  over-feed  the  dogs, 
lad,  from  pure  kindness  ;  and  hounds  should  be  gaunty  to 
run  well.  The  meanest  of  God's  creatures  be  made  for  some 
use,  and  I'm  formed  for  the  wilderness.  If  ye  love  me,  let1 
me  go  where  my  soul  craves  to  be  ag'in  !" 

The  appeal  was  decisive ;  and  not  another  word  of  en- 
treaty for  him  to  remain  was  then  uttered  ;  but  Elizabeth 
bent  her  head  to  her  bosom  and  wept,  while  her  husband 
clashed  away  the  tears  from  his  eyes  ;  and,  with  hands  that 
almost  refused  to  perform  their  office,  he  produced  his 
pocket-book,  and  extended  a  parcel  of  bank-notes  to  the 
hunter. 

"  Take  these,"  he  said,  "  at  least  take  these  ;  secure  them 


THE  PIONEERS.  423 

about  your  person,  and  in  the  hour  of  need  they  will  do 
you  good  service." 

The  old  man  took  the  notes,  and  examined  them  with  a 
curious  eye. 

"  This,  then,  is  some  of  the  new-fashioned  money  that 
they've  been  making  at  Albany,  out  of  paper !  it  can't  be 
worth  much  to  they  that  hasn't  larning  !  No,  no,  lad — take 
back  the  stuff  ;  it  will  do  me  no  sarvice.  I  took  kear  to  get 
all  the  Frenchman's  powder  afore  he  broke  up,  and  they  say 
lead  grows  where  I'm  going.  It  isn't  even  fit  for  wads,  see- 
ing that  I  use  none  but  leather  ! — Madam  Effingham,  let  an 
old  man  kiss  your  hand,  and  wish  God's  choicest  blessings 
on  you  and  your'n." 

"  Once  more  let  me  beseech  you,  stay  !  "  cried  Elizabeth. 
"  Do  not,  Leather-Stocking,  leave  me  to  grieve  for  the  man 
who  has  twice  rescued  mo  from  death,  and  who  has  served 
those  I  love  so  faithfully.  For  my  sake,  if  not  for  your 
own,  stay.  I  shall  see  you  in  those  frightful  dreams  that 
still  haunt  my  nights,  dying  in  poverty  and  age,  by  the  side 
of  those  terrific  beasts  you  slew.  There  will  be  no  evil, 
that  sickness,  want,  and  solitude  can  inflict,  that  my  fancy 
will  not  conjure  as  your  fate.  Stay  with  us,  old  man,  if 
not  for  your  own  sake,  at  least  for  ours." 

"  Such  thoughts  and  bitter  dreams,  Madam  Effingham," 
returned  the  hunter,  solemnly,  "will  never  haunt  an  inno- 
cent parson  long.  They'll  pass  away  with  God's  pleasure. 
And  if  the  cat-a-mounts  be  yet  brought  to  your  eyes  in 
sleep,  'tis  not  for  my  sake,  but  to  show  you  the  power  of 
Him  that  led  me  there  to  save  you.  Trust  in  God,  madam, 
and  your  honorable  husband,  and  the  thoughts  for  an  old 
man  like  me  can  never  be  long  nor  bitter.  I  pray  that  the 
Lord  will  keep  you  in  mind — the  Lord  that  lives  in  clear- 
ings as  well  as  in  the  wilderness — and  bless  you,  and  all 
that  belong  to  you,  from  this  time  till  the  great  day  when 
the  whites  shall  meet  the  red-skins  in  judgment,  and  jus- 
tice shall  be  the  law,  and  not  power." 

Elizabeth  raised  her  head,  and  offered  her  colorless  cheek 
to  his  salute,  when  he  lifted  his  cap  and  touched  it  respect- 
fully. His  hand  was  grasped  with  convulsive  fervor  by 
the  youth,  who  continued  silent.  The  hunter  prepared 
himself  for  his  journey,  drawing  his  belt  tighter*  and  wast- 
ing his  moments  in  the  little  reluctant  movements  of  a 
sorrowful  departure.  Once  or  twice  he  assayed  to  speak, 
but  a  rising  in  his  throat  prevented  it.  At  length  he 


424  THE  PIONEERS. 

shouldered  his  rifle,  and  cried  with  a  clear  huntsman's  call 
that  echoed  through  the  woods  : 

"He-e-e-re,  he-e-e-re,  pups — away,  dogs,  away  ! — ye'll  be 
footsore  afore  ye  see  the  end  of  the  journey  ! " 

The  hounds  leaped  from  the  earth  at  this  cry,  and  scent- 
ing around  the  grave  and  silent  pair,  as  if  conscious  of 
their  own  destination,  they  followed  humbly  at  the  heels 
of  their  master.  A  short  pause  succeeded,  during  which 
even  the  youth  concealed  his  face  on  his  grandfather's 
tomb.  When  the  pride  of  manhood,  however,  had  sup- 
pressed the  feelings  of  nature,  he  turned  to  renew  his  en- 
treaties, but  saw  that  the  cemetery  was  occupied  only  by 
himself  and  his  wife. 

"  He  is  gone  !  "  cried  Effingham. 

Elizabeth  raised  her  face,  and  saw  the  old  hunter  stand- 
ing looking  back  for  a  moment,  on  the  verge  of  the  wood. 
As  he  caught  their  glances,  he  drew  his  hard  hand  hastily 
across  his  eyes  again,  waved  it  on  high  for  an  adieu,  and, 
uttering  a  forced  cry  to  his  dogs,  who  were  crouching  at 
his  feet,  he  entered  the  forest. 

This  was  the  last  they  ever  saw  of  the  Leather-Stocking, 
whose  rapid  movements  preceded  the  pursuit  which  Judge 
Temple  both  ordered  and  conducted.  He  had  gone  far 
toward  the  setting  sun — the  foremost  in  that  band  of  pio- 
neers who  are  opening  the  way  for  the  march  of  the  na- 
tion  across  ihe  continent. 


THE    END. 


NRLF 


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